Acclaimed US clarinetist, saxophonist, and composer Eddie Daniels, known as a virtuoso in both, jazz and classical music, pays tribute to three outstanding icons of Brazilian music. With two albums already released on Egberto Gismonti and Ivan Lins, another musical homage to legend Milton Nascimento, to Brazilians affectionately known under his childhood name Bituca, will be out at the end of the month on Resonance Records.
Daniels’ album To Milton With Love is a re-creation of Nascimento’s second studio album and masterpiece Courage from 1969, which follows the Grammy-nominated Heart of Brazil: A Tribute to Egberto Gismonti (2018), and Night Kisses: A Tribute to Ivan Lins (2020). All three released on Resonance Records and produced by the founder of the label, George Klabin.
Coincidentally, Klabin met Nascimento in 1969 during the recording of Courage at the famous Rudy Van Gelder Studio, when he attended a small New York City jazz club to hear his friends Airto and Flora Purim play. After their set the two introduced him to “a very quiet young man” seated in the listening area, named Milton Nascimento. This encounter is a cherished memory and to this day Courage remains Klabin’s all-time favorite recording.
With Daniels, Klabin has found the versatile master musician for Resonance’s trilogy of tributes. Born and raised in New York City, Daniels was first hired in 1966 by Thad Jones and Mel Lewis when they organized their Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra for a weekly gig at the famed Village Vanguard. Today, his career includes names like Billy Joel and George Benson, his decades in music garnered him Grammy awards and nominations, and he appeared on television many times.
The ensemble on To Milton With Love includes Grammy-nominated guitarist Anthony Wilson, pianist Josh Nelson, bassist Kevin Axt, and drummer Ray Brinker. In addition, the album features the coruscating work of the Lyris String Quartet, with lush arrangements by Kuno Schmid and Josh Nelson.
All three recordings are released on the multi-GRAMMY® Award-winning label Resonance Records, which is known for its beautifully designed, informative packaging. No exception here, To Milton With Love comes with an extensive 16-page booklet including liner notes by the award-winning historian James Gavin, who authored widely praised biographies of Chet Baker, Peggy Lee, and Lena Horne.
Let’s only hope the dream team of Eddie Daniels and George Klabin keep being inspired by Brazilian personalities – how about João Gilberto next?
The CD will be released on August 29 in the US and internationally on September 19.
Eddie Daniels
To Milton With Love – A Tribute to Milton Nascimento
