KRISTEN MATHER de ANDRADE

SEM FIM

Ansonica Records

Kristen Mather de Andrade, clarinet/vocals; Toomai String Quintet; Emilie-Anne Gendron & Emma Frucht, violins; George Meyer, viola; Laura Metcalf Boyd, cello;  Vitor Goncalves, piano/accordion; Daniel Freiberg, piano; Eduardo Belo, double bass; Vinicius Gomes, guitar; Dennis Bulhões, drums; Livio Almeida, alto saxophone; Katrina Owens, flute; Bill Owens, trumpet; Alaina Alster, trombone. SPECIAL GUEST: Sean Jones, trumpet.

Let me open by saying this album design is nearly unreadable.  I wish artists would be more cognizant that the representation of their art, by an album cover, is as important as their music.  The font is way too small.  You can hardly read the credits of the important musicians who made this awesome music come alive.

That being said, this is an interesting album, with many songs that are quite beautiful, and blend Brazilian culture with jazz and classical music in a sweet, embraceable way. The Portuguese title, “Sem Fim” translates to “Endless” in English.  Kristen Mather de Andrade is a critically acclaimed artist who plays clarinet and has the voice of an angel, both sweet and engaging.  I first hear her vocals on a song titled, “Vide Vida Marvada.”  She sings in Portuguese.

“I chose the repertoire for this album from a long tradition – some of which dates back 100 years. I put my own spin on it. Music endures.  It is interpreted and reinterpreted thousands of times.  In that way, it feels ‘Endless’,” the artist explains the title of her album.

“Endless and Blind” is a song that takes my breath away the moment I hear the first four bars.  In Kristen Mather de Andrade’s press package, it is mentioned that the creative songwriters are both celebrated composers.  Daniel Freiberg is a Grammy Award winner, along with Steven Sater, who also is a Grammy winner, a Laurence Olivier Award-winning poet, playwright, lyricist, television writer and screenwriter.  Kristen Mather de Andrade does a spectacular job of introducing us to this brilliant song. It should become a jazz standard.

Mather de Andrade grew up in Youngstown, Ohio and fell in love with Brazilian music. She learned Portuguese by ear and married into the culture by way of her Brazilian spouse. For this project, she wanted to release an album that aligned with her orchestral background. Consequently, this music introduces you to her chamber orchestra, a string quintet, a horn section, and a Brazilian rhythm section.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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