MARI NOBRE / LIVE AND ALIVE
REVIEWS
April 26, 2017
Michael Doherty’s Music Log
“Seriously good… the music sounds so positive, so full of joy, with Mari Nobre embracing life in such a strong and bright way that it’s difficult for the listener to not follow suit.”
April 27, 2017
The Art Music Lounge by Lynne Rene Bayley
“Nobre’s voice is a wonderful mixture of honey and brass. She can caress a line the way Lorraine Feather does, then ramp it up and belt out a bit like Dena DeRose or Diana Krall. And she always swings. She has the kind of jazz chops that come along all too rarely, the ability to sound hip even when riding the beat in a relaxed manner…. If you like Latin jazz, this is one album you simply won’t want to miss.”
April 28, 2017
Midwest Record by Chris Spector
“Leading a crew of pros that’s feeling the vibe and delivering a socko punch this date is a valentine to jazz vocal fans … a special jazz vocal fan treat.”
May 10, 2017
JazzMostly by Bruce Crowther
“Mari’s attractive, fluent vocal sound … is vibrant and often joyous, perhaps reflecting her feelings at this moment in time. Good songs attractively sung, this should have wide appeal.”
May 10, 2017
Latin Jazz Corner by Chip Boaz
“As Nobre mixes strong lyrics with driving bossa nova rhythms, classic melodies, and colorful harmonies, there’s a strong sense of language on the album, which speaks volumes. Today’s video finds Nobre performing with her band Nobresil on a clever bossa nova arrangement of “Fascinating Rhythm,” arranged by Jovino Santos Neto – enjoy!”
May 12, 2017
World Music Central by Angel Romero
“A passionate album by the talented multilingual vocalist Mari Nobre.”
May 16, 2017
Musical Memoirs by Dee Dee McNeil
“This musical expression becomes Nobre’s testament to life and the healing power of music. Their Brazilian arrangement on Gershwin’s “Fascinating Rhythm” is jubilant and showcases Almario’s flute and Nobre’s voice flying freely. They are like two improvisational birds.”
June 1, 2017
Jersey Jazz by Joe Lang
“Mari Nobre sings in English, Portuguese and Spanish, being equally effective in all languages. Her vocalizing is spirited, with a jazz feeling. This entirely captivating performance is a tribute to her talent and strength.”
“Born in Italy, vocalist MARI NOBRE has lived in this country for several years. About a year ago, Nobre recorded the concert at the UCLA Jan Popper Theater captured on Live and Alive: From Gershwin to Jobim…a musical journey (Chrome Records – No Catalog Number) only 15 days after surgery for colon cancer. Her performance yields no hint of the trauma that she had just endured. Nobre’s band included her husband Leo Nobre on bass, Justo Almario on sax and flute, Daniel Szabo on piano, Angelo Metz on guitars and Sandro Feliciano on drums. The eclectic program varies with Brazilian tunes, “Chega de Saudade,” Retrato em Branco E Preto” and “Corcovado” by Jobim, and her own “Linda;” a couple of standards, “Fascinating Rhythm” and “When I Fall in Love;” a jazz classic, “Whisper Not;” and the Latin favorite “Frenesi.” She sings in English, Portuguese and Spanish, being equally effective in all languages. Her vocalizing is spirited, with a jazz feeling. This entirely captivating performance is a tribute to her talent and strength.”
June 2, 2017
Audiophile Audition by Pierre Giroux
“Italian-born singer Mari Nobre demonstrates her vocal dexterity and her facility in English, Portuguese and Spanish… a musical journey worth taking.”
June 17, 2017
Contemporary Fusion Reviews by Dick Metcalf
“There’s really only one word that totally describes Mari’s performances – LIVELY! As you listen to her soulful singing … her captivating style and vocal skills will be immediately apparent – after the first 8 bars, she will have you as wrapped up as I was … the fact that it’s recorded in front of a live audience only adds to the vibrancy!”
July 13, 2017
All About Jazz by C. Michael Bailey
“The Italian singer is a specialist in both Brazilian and American jazz standards weaving her way through English, Portuguese, and Spanish lyrics with an enviable ease… Recorded live at UCLA, Live and Alive proves to be a potent celebration of life.”
July 20, 2017
JazzWeekly by George Harris
“She uses her supple yet strong voice to give muscle to samba classics… Impressive delivery.”
August 8, 2017
Goldmine Magazine by Mike Greenblatt (August 2017)
“An enticing vocalist… Her material is sublime and even includes one of the best of the current plethora of Leonard Cohen covers, “Dance Me to the End of Love.” Her band sizzles on “Frenesi.” Benny Golson’s “Whisper Not” never — ever! — sounded so good.”
“Mari Nobre’s Jazz Band is “Live and Alive” (Chrome Records) subtitled “From Gershwin To Jobim: A Musical Journey.” Encompassing Latin and American standards plus her “Linda” original, Nobre is an enticing vocalist who sings in English, Portuguese and Spanish. You can call her a torch singer because her antecedents are folks like Peggy Lee and Mildred Bailey. Her jazz band — bass, sax, flute, drums, piano — is top-notch. Her material is sublime and even includes one of the best of the current plethora of Leonard Cohen covers, “Dance Me to the End of Love.” Her band sizzles on the closing 1940 Artie Shaw hit “Frenesi.” Benny Golson’s 1956 “Whisper Not” never — ever! — sounded so good. This concert recording took place only 15 days after she underwent cancer surgery.”
August 18, 2017
Jazz Life Japan by Keizo Takada
PDF tearsheet sent 8/18/17
August 20, 2017
In Tune International by Dan Singer
“Mari shines here in a spectacular nine-song concert… a stand-out musical delight.”
“Mari shines here in a spectacular nine-song concert from last year in UCLA’s Jan Popper Theater. Mari is from Naples, Italy and sings beautifully in Portuguese, Spanish and English. “Chega de Saudade” (Jobim/ deMoraes) opens her concert. Her bass playing husband Leo and Angelo Metz offer their amazingly delightful soft flowing musical assist. “Fascinating Rhythm” (Gershwins) contains a very sly slow verse. Mari then completely overwhelms in her upbeat swinging vocal. Listen for Justo Almario gorgeous flute solo here. Ms. Nobre’s delicate take on “When I Fall In Love” (Young/Heyman) is a standout romantic musical delight. Finally in Spanish she interpets the standard “Frenesi” (Dominguez) with full-fledged care. Daniel Szabo is in the spotlight here on piano opening her very dramatic performance. Then her vocal really builds and builds to a majestic rhythmic swing conclusion.”
October 11, 2017
Jazz DaGama by Raul DaGama
“What a wonderful way to discover – or rediscover – all of this music through the heart of Mari Nobre.”
September 17, 2015
Pasadena Views
“Mari Nobre’s voice is luscious. She knows how to use her vocal instrument to convey whatever message she’s trying to get across. She’s a torch singer of the highest order. Her interpretation of Fascinating Rhythm is dazzling. The jazz classic is presented with original arrangements by Jovino Santos Neto and Hubert Laws on flute.”
May 8, 2014
Nobresil’s New CD, ‘Original’ Is An Original by Darlene Donloe
“Mari Nobre’s voice is luscious. She knows how to use her vocal instrument to convey whatever message she’s trying to get across. She’s a torch singer of the highest order. Her interpretation of Fascinating Rhythm is dazzling. The jazz classic is presented with original arrangements by Jovino Santos Neto and Hubert Laws on flute.”