Paquito D'Rivera (alto sax, clarinet), New York Voices: Kim Nazarian (vocals), Lauren Kinhan (vocals), Darmon Meader (tenor sax, vocals), Peter Eldridge (vocals), Claudio Roditi (trumpet), Jay Ashby (trombone), Helio Alves (piano), Marty Ashby (guitar), Oscar Stagnaro (bass), Paulo Braga (drums)
Tracklist:
1. Corcovado (Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars)
2. One For Tom
3. Manha De Carnival / Gentle Rain
4. Desafinado
5. Modinha
6. Meu Amigo
7. A Rá
8. Retrato Em Branco E Préto
9. Red On Red
10. Snow Samba

Paquito D’Rivera’s love for vocal quartet music began in the 1960’s in Havana listening to the radio programs on Miami’s WQAM that featured wonderful vocal quartet harmony for commercials and station ID’s. His love affair with Brazilian music also began around this time coinciding with the Bossa Nova movement and emergence of Antonio Carlos Jobim as the “Duke Ellington” of Brazil. Paquito had dreamed of one day incorporating his love of American vocal quartet music with the melodies and harmonies of his favorite Brazilian composers. Brazilian Dreams realizes that dream.
This album, recorded live at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild (MCG) over four nights in April 2001, captures the passion and soulfulness of this unique performance and recording session. Members of the New York Voices as well as Marty and Jay Ashby attended Ithaca College where they were exposed to the musicianship of Paquito and Claudio Roditi, Brazilian Jazz Trumpeter, in 1983 at the Ithaca Jazz Festival. That encounter began a true mentor relationship between the masters and their students that comes into full bloom with this recording. Peruvian born Oscar Stagnaro has performed with Paquito for many years and Brazilians, Helio Alves and Paulo Braga appropriately round out the rhythm section.
Brazilian Dreams includes Jobim classics such as “Corcovado” and “Desafinado” with lesser-known masterpieces, “Modinha,” “Meu Amigo” and “Retrato Em Branco E Prêto” (sung in Portugese) that demonstrate the depth of the composer. Two of Luiz Bonfa’s most well known works “Manha De Carnival” – from the acclaimed film “Black Orpheus” – and “Gentle Rain” are combined in a unique instrumental then vocal medley. The compositions of Joao Donato are not well known in the United States but the instrumental “A Rá” provides insight into his style. Paquito’s instrumental, “One for Tom,” was written for Antonio Carlos Jobim and Claudio’s, “Red On Red,” has become a “standard” in the Brazilian Jazz repertoire. Finally, Brazilian Dreams closes with “Snow Samba” – a composition penned by Paquito and Claudio on a snowy day in Chicago when they were dreaming of the sun and beach of Brazil.
Released 2002.

Reviews:
"Mit feinem Gespür für die Balance zwischen dezenter Zurückhaltung und temperamentvollem Ausbruch schmiegen sich etwa "Desafinado" oder "Manha De Carnival / Gentle Rain" lustvoll in die Gehörgänge. Die Trompete von Claudio Roditi und das Gesangsquartett New York Voices bereichern die lebendigen Arrangements, in denen die Liebe zur brasilianischen Musik fast mit Händen zu greifen ist." (Jazzthing Nr. 46 / 02)