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There’s a Storm Inside
Chico Pinheiro
(Sunnyside)
By Gene de Souza
Brazil has given us some of the world’s best guitarists: from Laurindo Almeida and Baden Powell, to Rafael Rabello and Yamandu Costa. Now, on his vigorous third release “There’s a Storm Inside”, his first on US label Sunnyside, comes the São Paulo-born guitarist/arranger/composer/vocalist Chico Pinheiro – a stellar stylist who has worked with some of the best Brazilian and American musicians including Rosa Passos, Dori Caymmi, Luciana Souza, Brad Mehldau, and Esperanza Spalding. Pinheiro takes his country’s music into the twenty first century with special guest vocalist Dianne Reeves and tenor saxophonist/bass clarinetist Bob Mintzer.
“I think this project, without a doubt, is a very special project. A project that has brought people together that probably would not have played together …” Pinheiro says. “There are people from the United States, there are others from Cuba, some from Brazil. I think music is something that bring people together. This project has a lot from each of us.”
Pinheiro’s acoustic and electric guitar strains easily meld the Brazilian groove with North American swing, creating simultaneously foreign and familiar musical landscapes. The CD’s twelve tracks are moving and melodious in a number of sonic settings and tempos. Pinheiro’s achy vocals – both spoken, in Portuguese and English - are a perfect match for the beautiful, bossa nova string arrangements on Gershwin’s “Our Love is Here to Stay," the mellow heartbreaking title track, laced with Dianne Reeves’ evergreen contralto and the waltzy "Valsa # 8." Bob Mintzer’s deep-toned, bass clarinet and tenor saxophone lace the festive "Mamulengo” and "Flor de Fogo." "Boca de Siri," "Buritizais," "Sertao Wi Fi," and "Recriando a Criação" are steeped in Brazil’s myriad of rhythmic inventions from different corners of the country. "A Sul do Teu Olhar" is another sumptuous ballad, featuring Luciana Alves’ lovely voice, while Pinheiro and Reeves add Brazilian sugar to Stevie Wonder’s classic “As.”
The ability to stay true to his Brazilian roots while exploring the rhythms of the world has come naturally to Pinheiro. Born in São Paulo in 1974, he taught himself the guitar at the age of seven and started playing professionally at fifteen. He studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston, graduating Summa Cum Laude. His work as a sideman includes stints with Johnny Alf, João Donato, Cachaito Lopez, Eddie Gomez, and Claudio Roditi. His first recording as a leader, Meia Noite Meio Dia (Sony Music/ 2003), was hailed as one of the Top 10 Brazilian albums of the year by O Estado de São Paulo, A Folha de São Paulo and O Globo newspapers. His subsequent releases include Chico Pinheiro (Biscoito Fino, 2005) and Nova (Goat Hill Records, 2008), a collaboration with American guitarist Anthony Wilson. If you enjoy adventurous, creative and contemporary Brazilian music in the style of Guinga and João Bosco, Chico Pinheiro is the man taking it to the next level.
article posted by:Camila Carnicelli, Buriti Produções Artisticas