JOAO DONATO E SU TRIO: Sambou, Sambou, CD

Sambou, Sambou combines two beautiful 1962 albums that feature the work of one of the great pioneers of bossa nova, Joao Donato. Muito À Vontade, (completely relaxed) a landmark instrumental album that has, in the five decades since its original South American release, become a reference work for modern Brazilian music, and Bossa Nova Carnival, a set devoted exclusively to Donato compositions, created by a group led by jazz vibist, Dave Pike and comprising Clark Terry, Chris White and guitarist Kenny Burrell.

 

Muito À Vontade - released three years later in America as Sambou, Sambou - showcases Donato tunes, alongside such numbers as Pra que chorar, the Baden Powell - Vinicius de Moraes composition that was at the time a radio hit for Os Cariocas). The album is performed by a group, the nucleus of which (Donato on piano, bassist Sebastian Netto and drummer Milton Banana) had just returned from backing Joao Gilberto in Italy, and is regarded to be the first really successful blending of authentic Brazilian music with jazz.