Critically acclaimed flutist Andrea Brachfeld pays tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim on her newest recording and debut release for Origin records, Brazilian Whispers.Inspired by the Brazilian music scene in New York City, where she has resided for five decades, Brachfeld’s ninth recording as a leader showcases her virtuosity as a player and composer over the course of 11 tracks.She puts her spin on Jobim classics “Waters of March”, “Girl From Ipanema” and “Ligia”, among others, and demonstrates her compositional prowess on three Brazilian-spirited original songs that were co-written with frequent collaborator Bill O’Connell: “Espaço Aberto”, “Sonhos e Cores” and “Triste e Solitaria”.With Brazilian Whispers, Brachfeld solidifies her place in the modern jazz pantheon and proves why she is “one of the most important voices in the history of the contemporary flute”
I currently tour with my own group, Andrea Brachfeld and Insight featuring Bill O’ Connell, Harvie S and Jason Tiemann, The Bill O’ Connell Jazz Latin Quintet featuring Andrea Brachfeld , Bill Connell and the Afro Caribbean Ensemble (ACE) and The Bill O’ Connell Quartet / Dave Valentin Tribute Band featuring Lincoln Goines and Robby Ameen where we recently came back from a tour in Japan playing at the Cotton Club.
In June 2017, I was awarded a grant from the prestigious organization, Chamber Music America and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, to compose a new jazz work.
My CD, “If Not Now, When? ” was released on Jazzheads in May of 2018 and reflects this new music. My newest Brazilian project, called “Brazilian Whispers” was released on Origin Records on January 17, 2020. It features Bill O’Connell, Harvie S, Jason Tiemann, Roni Ben-Hur, Lincoln Goines, T Portinho and Chembo Corniel playing mostly Antonio Carlos Jobim compositions along with three original compositions by myself and Bill.
Upon closing I would like to add that I have discovered that no matter what you are doing in your life, you have the ability to partake in the creative process.
I was able to maintain my sanity and flow of the creative process cultivating and nurturing that idea during the time I was teaching full time. Everyday I feel blessed to be alive and to be able to play the flute, compose my music, and continue to grow in whatever direction I am taken.