Plenitude
Raul De Souza Generations Band
Blujazz PAO Records
★★★★★
Written by Keith Pettigrew
Considered to be one of the greatest trombonists in the world and renowned for his swing improvisation, Brazilian Raul De Souza is credited with creating the Bossa Nova of the ‘50s and Samba jazz of the ‘60s. From Sérgio Mendes to Sonny Rollins, from Flora Purim to Herbie Hancock and Jaco Pastorius, he collaborated with the jazz greats.
In 2017, he started working with trombonist Christophe Schweizer, piano discovery Alex Correa, bassist Glauco Solter and drum prodigy Matheus Jardim. Styled as the Generations Band, they developed their own infectious blend of Funk, trimmed with traditional and contemporary Brazilian Jazz.
Their last album Plenitude has contemporary arrangements of de Souza’s early funk successes such as Sweet Lucy and Daisy Mae, collaborations with old friends (including a rework
of Apesar de Você by compatriot Chico Buarque), plus brand-new compositions. Listen for the luscious brass harmonies on Funk das Meninas, De Souza gliding on Nana and slinking over Netinha Aura. The horns get soulful on Tombo in 7/4 and clearly lyrical on Plenitude.
De Souza died in July from cancer, days after the release of Plenitude. At 87, his playing had not lost any of its energy. Working with younger players clearly served only to reinvigorate his music.