Festa!: CD

Andrew Finn Magill’s outstanding new album “Festa!” arrives as something of a miracle: an album that stands proudly among the very best of a traditional style of music with its roots in 19th-century Rio De Janeiro, created by a North Carolina-based violinist. Hearing this wonderful and soulful album is like being transported to a bar in Rio’s bohemian Lapa neighborhood in the 1940s. The songwriting, arrangements and execution of the material do the genre’s legendary figures proud and is all the more impressive for being all original, from Magill’s own pen.

Without indulging in forced or contrived fusions or experiments, it still manages to add a fresh, contemporary take on a time-honored sound, and one can only imagine the legendary Pixinguinha, frequently described as Brazil’s Louis Armstrong, nodding in approval. One feels the particular carefree lightness of touch coupled with exacting precision that is the hallmark of the best choro, and which explains the attraction of the form to many jazz musicians around the world.

Magill’s achievement here has not gone unnoticed, with acclaimed Rio producer/musician Kassin saying of this album: “Andrew Finn Magill’s new record is like comfort food for ears... more credits released July 30, 2021

Andrew Finn Magill: violin Nando Duarte: 6-string guitar, 7-string guitar, cavaquinho, mandolin, electric bass, piano, percussion Thiago da Serrinha: percussion (Cheio de Mordidas, Pé Quente, Choro de Cris) Carlos Cesar Motta: drums (Saxofone na Ilha) Janderson Bernardo: saxophone (Saxofone na Ilha)

Artwork: Daniel Gnattali Press release: Greg Caz

Produced by Nando Duarte Mixed and mastered by Nando Duarte and Daniel Carvalho