The Quarteto Negro consists of singer
Zeze Motta, reedsman
Paulo Moura, guitarist/bassist
Jorge Degas, and percussionist
Djalma Correa.
Moura, who here plays splendid soprano sax and clarinet, has one foot in jazz and the other in classical music. So did
Correa.
Motta started out as an actress and film star before starting to sing professionally in the mid-'70s.
Degas, by contrast, came up from the popular dance halls and has played behind samba-based singers such as
Martinho de Vila and
Elba Ramalho, as well as
Gal Costa and
Alcione. The whole thing comes together because nobody tries to be what he or she isn't. The result is strong Latin jazz with lots of Brazilian in the mix, flowing and mellow and generally righteous. (58:33)