Ivan Lins at the BPC

By Tom WeeksNovember 17th, 2011Blogs, Slider

Ivan Lins has been one of the leading voices in Brazilian pop music for over thirty years. His tunes have been recorded by artists including Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Barbra Streisand, Quincy Jones, George Benson, The Manhattan Transfer, Diane Schuur, Carmen McRae, Nancy Wilson, Eliane Elias, Patti Austin, Sting, Toots Thielemans, Take 6, Lee Ritenour, David Benoit, Carlos do Carmo, Mark Murphy, Dave Grusin, Sérgio Mendes, Michael Bublé and countless others. He is the only Brazilian artist or Portuguese language artist to win a Latin Grammy award for album of the year and Wednesday’s show at the Berklee Performance Center was a real treat.

The opening act was the quartet of guitarist Marcio Philomena. Philomena displayed incredible chops and fantastic ideas in his Metheny-esque style. The highlight of their short set was their interpretation of Ary Barroso’s “Na Baixa do Sapteiro.” This up-tempo Latin tune began with an intricate guitar and piano vamp leading into a very nice melody over a Chick Corea-style samba. The solos grooved over a funky vamp before launching into the soaring samba on cue. The group displayed marvelous chops and sensitive interaction. Philomena is certainly an artist to watch out for.

Lins’ set was a grand production featuring Berklee students as backing musicians and arrangers. The string and horn arrangements were remarkably lush and professional, and the tunes were well rehearsed. Lins’ vocals were expressive and heartfelt, and the arrangements gave his songs beautiful settings, which really brought out the character inherent to each of his compositions.

Perhaps the most ‘jazzy’ tune of the night was the sole instrumental “4×3.” The tune really showed off the Berklee piano and horn sections. The solos were impeccably crafted and displayed amazing technique. Lins’ lush harmonies gave the soloists ample room to develop their statements without being overbearing or inappropriate for the context.

The show was a great showcase for both the great music of Ivan Lins and the remarkable talent for arranging, orchestrating and playing we have here among Berklee students.