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Multi-Grammy nominee Judy Roberts is an internationally-recognized jazz star thanks to the success of her recordings and concert performances. Throughout the jazz world, Judy is known for her fun-loving approach to a great repertoire, her hard-swinging piano playing, her lush and sensitive vocals, and her unique ability to communicate with her audience. The winner of numerous jazz polls and awards (including The Chicago Tribune’s “Chicago’s Favorite Jazz Woman”) and number one on both radio play and the Billboard charts, Judy’s CD’s are a delight for all fans of fine music.
Originally released on the famed Inner City jazz label in 1981, "Nights in Brazil" is now available on CD!
"Judy Roberts still puts out releases, and they are all of high quality; this 1981 recording one of her earliest. The band is definitely still in the 70s groove, consisting of her own hands on the digital keyboards, as well as supported by the electric bass/guitar (Michael Fiorino/Brian Torr/Neal Seroka), and contemporary drums and percussion )David Derge/Tony Carpenter/Geraldo De Oliveira). Her voice is light and nimble, and she goes through some originals and jazz compositions with a disco/samba feel, as on Ivan Lins’ “Common Ground” and Stevie Wonder’s “I Can’t Help It.” Pleasant fare for those more attuned to the pop than jazz vein."
-George Harris, Jazzweekly.com
Judy Roberts at the time that Nights In Brazil was released in 1981, was a young and enthusiastic singer and keyboardist whose music (at least on records) could be considered pop fusion although it does not fit easily into any simple category. The warmth of her voice and the technical skills that she showed on her instruments were equally impressive and it was difficult to predict what she would be playing in the future. Happily she has survived the past 30 years and today plays inventive versions of jazz standards with her husband tenor-saxophonist Greg Fishman.
But one can easily enjoy both the Judy Roberts of today and her counterpart who recorded three albums for Inner City three decades ago. The enthusiasm and high musicianship are the same, as is her desire to stretch herself and find something new to create no matter what the setting, while always having fun.
Judy Roberts started playing piano when she was two although she did not start singing until she was a high school senior. Born and raised in Chicago, she was playing gigs as a teenager and her musical talents were obvious. She recorded with Ray Brown early on but did not gain attention beyond Chicago until she recorded three albums for Inner City during 1979-81. After this period, she recorded a trio set with Ray Brown and Jeff Hamilton, made records for her own labels, and continued being a fixture in the Chicago jazz world. Although she and Jeff Fishman have recently moved to Phoenix, they still play regularly in Chicago and recently appeared at the Monterey Jazz Festival as a duo.
Nights In Brazil features Judy Roberts with the same band that appeared on her previous Inner City set The Other World: guitarist Neal Seroka, bassist Michael Fiorino, drummer David Derge, and Tony Carpenter on congas and percussion. Since this is a Brazilian-oriented album, a second percussionist, Geraldo De Olivera is also featured.
Some of the performances fall into the area of Brazilian fusion, the type of music that Flora Purim and Tania Maria performed. Those songs include Ivan Lins' “Common Ground,” “Ole,” “Nights In Brazil,” and “Carnvial In Rio.” However the set also includes Stevie Wonder's “I Can't Help It,” the soulful swing of “Save That Time,” “Country Samba” (with guest Don Stiernberg on mandolin), and “Sophisticated Lady.” In addition, Roberts is featured on Victor Feldman's “Starlight Haunted Ballroom” in a straight ahead trio with bassist Brian Torff and drummer Rusty Jones.
Review
"The music on Nights In Brazil is quite enjoyable and the joy shines through even decades later.
"Today, Judy Roberts is an enthusiastic and skilled bop and standards-oriented pianist and singer. During 1979-81 she debuted with three albums for the Inner City label that featured her also playing electric keyboards on a repertoire that ranged from jazz to funk and pop. Her joyful spirit and high musicianship will be recognizable to those familiar with her current work. Nights In Brazil is a Brazilian-oriented album matching Ms. Roberts with guitarist Neal Seroka, bassist Michael Fiorino, drummer David Derge and percussion played by Tony Carpenter and Geraldo De Olivera. From swing to Brazilian fusion a la Flora Purim, this is a fun outing." -Scott Yanow
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