Renee Rosnes, Crossing Paths Review
Renee Rosnes’ Crossing Paths — A Bold Journey into Brazilian Jazz
by Icrom Bigrad
Renee Rosnes has long stood as one of jazz’s most versatile and daring pianists, and with her album Crossing Paths, she focuses on her lifelong adoration for Brazilian music. The album marks an intersection of a Brazilian musical journey with a stellar band of American jazz masters and Brazilian virtuosos. Rosnes has crafted a collection of nine songs that are based on Brazilian music but boldly reinterpreted with the language of modern jazz.
The album is diverse in tempos and feels, where the inherent rhythms of Brazil’s most celebrated styles — bossa nova, samba, frevo, afoxé — meld with Rosnes’ innovative harmonic voice. Each track is a narrative of jazz’s focus on time feel and groove woven through the defined rhythmic patterns of Brazilian influence. Rosnes’ connection to this sound first captured her imagination in her teens and evolved over the years into a deep, immersive study of Brazilian jazz.
Crossing Paths features the dynamic ensemble of musicians Rosnes has assembled for this project. The fusion of American jazz greats such as saxophonist Chris Potter, trombonist Steve Davis, bassist John Patitucci, and drummer Adam Cruz with Brazilian luminaries including guitarist Chico Pinheiro, percussionist Rogério Boccato, and vocalist Maucha Adnet is a magical combination that will enthrall your listening time with joyous rhythms and catchy melodies. The ensemble creates a modern balance between the two worlds of American jazz and Brazilian rhythms. Each musician contributes to the conversation in a way that feels natural and conversational, resulting in an electrifying set of music.
This collaborative spirit isn’t merely an artistic choice; it’s a reflection of Rosnes’ own path, which has been informed by decades of exploration into Brazilian songbooks. The inclusion of musicians such as Adnet, a voice synonymous with Jobim’s legacy, and Lobo, a titan of Brazilian music, underscores the respect and intimacy that underpins this album’s interpretations. The arrangements are fresh and deeply rooted in Brazilian rhythm, even while the ensemble is moving forward to what this genre hybrid can achieve in emotional resonance with modern jazz sensibilities.
The album’s richness is also punctuated by two special guest appearances. Edu Lobo, whose classic songs have become part of the Brazilian jazz canon, delivers two stunning vocal performances on “Pra Dizer Adeus” and “Casa Forte.” Lobo’s age-worn voice, though weathered, carries a potent emotional complexity that resonates with the quiet depth of the material. On “Pra Dizer Adeus,” Rosnes sings along in unison with her piano, creating a poignant dialogue between her piano and voice, a rare but striking moment in her oeuvre.
Equally significant is Joyce Moreno’s appearance on the album, particularly on “Essa Mulher,” which originally appeared on an Elis Regina album. Moreno’s voice, evocative and tender, intertwines beautifully with Rosnes’ lush piano playing, as the band enters gently, heightening the song’s emotional resonance. These collaborations offer not just nostalgia but a bridge between past and present, lending the album an air of authenticity and reverence for the Brazilian artists who shaped Rosnes’ journey.
Crossing Paths offers a thoughtful reimagining of classic Brazilian songs while revealing much about Rosnes. The pianist’s touch is as expressive and fluid as ever, whether she’s weaving single-note lines through the intricate rhythmic patterns of “Frevo” or expressing beautifully voiced piano structure to allow the beauty of “Essa Mulher” to breathe. The album’s feels capture her long love affair with Brazilian music, culminating in this mosaic of jazz and Brazilian styles.
This is particularly apparent in Rosnes’ approach to “Canta, Canta Mais” by Jobim, a piece often overshadowed by his more famous works but one that receives an impassioned reading here. In contrast to her previous work with Jobim’s music, this interpretation is intimate in its orchestration. Adnet’s vocals are expansive as Rosnes supports her with Brazilian rhythms and jazz harmonies.
The piano takes on an entirely new life here, at times playful, at others deeply introspective. Her arrangements breathe with a palpable sense of imagination and textures, using background vocals, which are often placed subtly in the mix, to add layers of emotional depth. It’s a hallmark of Rosnes’ sound: finding the fragility and human vulnerability in the most technical moments, whether through a vocal hum or the quiet resonance of a Fender Rhodes and piano, as in “Trilhos Urbanos.”
Rosnes’ personal journey through the reinterpretation of Brazilian jazz standards shows her ability to push beyond what most jazz fans are familiar with in her projects. Her musicianship allows her to reimagine classic works and imbue them with the harmonic, structural, and storytelling skills that she is known for. Through her piano, Rosnes channels a unique blend of modern jazz brilliance and emotional honesty, inviting listeners to walk with her down a musical path of Brazilian music-inspired discovery.
In every facet, Crossing Paths is a success, giving the jazz community an album that finds its heart in the fusion of cultures, the joy of collaboration, and the ever-evolving nature of musical expression. It is a powerful reflection of Renee Rosnes’ enduring passion for Brazilian music and her remarkable ability to weave it into the broader tapestry of modern jazz.
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