Jazz harmonica legend Toots Thielemans called his friend harmonicist/composer Mauricio Einhorn “…a vital force in Brazilian music both as a player and a composer.” Einhorn’s influence flows over into jazz. He has worked with such major figures as Jim Hall, David Sanborn, Paquito D’Rivera, Baden Powell, as well as singers Bobby McFerrin, and Sarah Vaughan; the likes of Cannonball Adderley, Herbie Mann and Bossa Nova legend Jobim have recorded his compositions. Made in Rio in 1979, Me was Mauricio’s first album under his own name – and what a recording! Einhorn assembled a group of crack musicians around him, all versed in their native Brazilian music as well as jazz. The ten original compositions testify to Einhorn’s stature as a composer. There’s the infectious A Different Beat with outstanding harmonica, piano and flute solos, Saro with its up-tempo harmonica, sax, and fender bass solos, the exquisite ballad Alvorada, and the perky gem Estamos Ai. Then we have the gentle jazz waltz Toy, and a theme written for jazz greats Ron Carter and Jim Hall, Limbo with its powerful vocals. The short but sweet Claus is followed by the hauntingly romantic Tristeza De Nos Dois and the riveting Sketch. Einhorn’s passionate solo on his ballad Joy ends an album that will satisfy every lover of Brazilian music. Latin jazz at its creative best!
