A Magical Christmas Under the Southern Cross
— Nothing says Christmastime any better than lying on a beach in Rio de Janeiro in the middle of December and listening to the husband/wife team Romero Lubambo and Pamela Driggs. Don’t panic about the weather! In the Southern Hemisphere, Christmastime happens in the heat of summer. This album is a wonderful companion for those dreary winter days we will soon be experiencing in the Northern Hemisphere. Grab a caipirinha, lie on a hammock, and dream of Rio.
If you are unfamiliar with the artists, here is a brief intro. Romero Lubambo (Rio de Janeiro, 1955) came to the USA in 1985. His guitar artistry has been in demand ever since. He has performed and recorded with artists including Dianne Reeves, Billie Eilish, Yo-Yo Ma, Diana Krall, Herbie Mann, Wynton Marsalis, Astrud Gilberto, Harry Belafonte, and many more. With more than twenty albums under his name, he has received a Latin Grammy and a nomination for a Grammy in the Jazz Category. You can find several of his albums here at MusicaBrasileira.org. He is also a member of the renowned Trio da Paz. Pamela Driggs, a Nevada native, became enamored with Brazilian music early and moved to Brazil to immerse in our music. After returning to the USA, she created the group Brasília. Together with that group, Romero and Pamela have played at various jazz festivals in the USA and Canada. You can also find Pamela Driggs here at MusicaBrasileira.org.
With Christmastime in Rio, the couple is joined by a stellar group of musicians, including Luísa Lubambo (vocals & background vocal arrangements), Peter Martin (piano), Vitor Gonçalves (accordion), Joe Locke (vibraphone), Itaiguara Brandão (bass), and Rafael Barata (drums). Although the album relies heavily on Christmas music standards, there are a couple of nice surprises, such as “Presente de Natal” and “Winter Reverie.” The song arrangements take full advantage of this excellent ensemble by creating a warm setting that exudes beauty and Brazilian vibes. For example, Vitor’s accordion accompaniment in the opening classic, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” is captivating and down-home. Peter’s piano presence in “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” perfectly matches Romero’s sparkling guitar solos and Pamela’s soothing vocals. That trio performance is commanding. Another great moment in the album comes with “Holiday of Love.” The Bossa Nova swing you hear in that track is off the charts. The Brazilian classic “Presente de Natal” is the only song performed in Portuguese in the album. Get ready for Joe’s vibrant solo on that track.
It is not every day we come across a Brazilian Christmas album. Although most of the songs here are non-Brazilian, the main stars don’t have to go out of their way to make this a Brazilian Christmas album. Romero Lubambo is outstanding, and Pamela Driggs proves once again that Brazilian music is in her veins. Celebrate Christmas with a piece of Brazil in Christmastime in Rio.
ALBUM INFORMATION
Romero Lubambo & Pamela Driggs
Christmastime in Rio
Sunnyside Records (2024)
Total time: 54’15”
Tracks:
- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane)
- I’ll Be Home for Christmas (Walter Kent and Kim Gannon)
- Holiday of Love (Bill Driggs)
- Christmas Love Song (Johnny Mandel, Alan and Marilyn Bergman)
- Silent Night (Franz Gruber – Joseph Mohr) – w/ Luísa Lubambo
- Presente de Natal (Nelcy Noronha)
- Winter Reverie (Romero Lubambo – Pamela Driggs)
- The Christmas Song (Mel Torme – Robert Wells)
- Santa Claus is Coming to Town (Haven Gillespie – J. Fred Coots)
- White Christmas (Irving Berlin)
- Jingle Bells (James Lord Pierpont)
- Toyland (Victor Herbert – Glen MacDonough)
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