PIANO COM TOM JOBIM

In spite of not having written all of his songs on the instrument, Tom Jobim was essencially a piano songwriter. His harmonic ways are vast and the counterpoint games are every pianist's dream, as indicated by Rio de Janeiro native, Marcos Ariel. The experienced musician chose a looser approach (as the maestro used to do), instead of fake grandiloquence. He picked a tight list of 13 standards (Garota de Ipanema, Luiza, Lígia, Wave), mixed in with lesser known themes (Choro, Olha Maria). Ariel's punch is transparent and crystal clear, but he allows a tiny bit of drama on Inútil Paisagem, as well as a bit of swing on Samba do Avião. The beat continues with Retrato em Branco e Preto and Desafinado. Not rare, neither well-done. Just right on the spot. (Tárik de Souza)