MASHA CAMPAGNE

ALEGRE MENINA

Impetus Records

This is the fourth album release for Moscow-born, San Francisco-based vocalist, Masha Campagne.

“Each song tells a story of my life, my roots, my sensibilities, and my artistic identity. My grandfather was a true jazz musician and a bit of a rebel.  He defied the communist system (in Russia) in the 1950s by playing so-called ‘bourgeois’ American music. His audacity and deep love for jazz embodied the very spirit of freedom that shaped me into the artist I am today,” Campagne writes in her liner notes.

In 1991, Campagne left Russia relocating to San Francisco. She joined their thriving jazz scene, finding work in local jazz clubs. She won first place in the Downbeat magazine Student Music Award. That elevated her to jazz festival status.  Masha appeared in the Monterey Jazz Festival and collaborated with Brazilian artist, Weber Lago.  Together, they recorded “Caminhos Cruzados,” in 2007. They merged jazz and Brazilian music in a satin smooth way.

In 2012, she released “Like Water, Like Air” collaborating with brilliant guitarist and composer Guinga, and adding the harmonica and vibraphone talents of Hendrik Meurkens.  This time Campagne composed some of her repertoire, showing her songwriter side.

On this current album she had written a couple of original songs including “Samba Carioca,” Track #2 on this album, and another tune called “So Mad, So Young.” Campagne also features the compositions of iconic singers and songwriters of Brazil, a music that she loves and sings very well. The title of this latest album is a song written by famous composers Dori Caymmi and Jorge Amado.  Masha has mastered the Portuguese language and sounds quite authentic when she sings this lovely Latin American music. She sings in English on her original song, “So Mad, So Young” and she scats fluidly. The melody she wrote is beautiful and her vocals simmer with emotion.

She is surrounded by a group of talented musicians.  Masha Campagne, vocals/percussion/ arrangements; Ricardo Peixote, acoustic & electric guitar/12-string guitar/arranger; Scott Thompson, electric bass; Guto Wirtti, acoustic bass; Julio Lemos, 7-string guitar; Rafael Barata, drums; Frank Martin, piano/ arranger; Brian Rice, percussion; Lula Glavão, acoustic guitar/arranger; Gary Meek, flute/soprano saxophone; Mary Fettig, flute; Natalie Cressman, trombone; Erik Jekabson, trumpet; Zack Pitt-Smith, tenor saxophone.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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