A Special Vision
— What a wonderful surprise it was to learn about the CD release of drummer Vanderlei Pereira’s first solo album, Vision for Rhythm! I started to look for the CD and found it without problems at an online store in my own Holland!
Vanderlei was born in Macaé, in the state of Rio de Janeiro. With two musical brothers, bassist Dirceu and saxophonist Dulcilando (better known as (Maestro) Macaé, accompanying Simone, Elba Ramalho, Paulinho da Viola, Rita Lee, to name a few), it didn’t take long for Vanderlei to pick up an instrument as well. The then 8-year-old Vanderlei improvised his own drum kit and started to explore the world of rhythm. Along the way he gained experience in jazz, pop/rock and successfully studied classical music. After moving to Rio de Janeiro, he performed as a student with the Brazilian Symphonic Orchestra (Orquestra Sinfônica Brasileira or, in short, OSB). Since childhood, Vanderlei suffered from the progressive eye-disease retinitis pigmentosa. It caused him to stop his classical music career; reading the music scores wasn’t possible anymore. So, Vanderlei started to focus on Jazz and Brazilian Music that was written in his heart. Soon his fame rose in Rio’s Jazz scene. After losing sight completely at age 31, Vanderlei showed the amazing and most respectable gift to make the best of the situation: the true musician. In 1988 he moved to New York, where he continued to bring his already amazing skills as drummer to perfection. Meanwhile he worked with great artists like Toots Thielemans, Airto & Flora, Sivuca, Bebel Gilberto, Leila Pinheiro, and many more. In 1995 he married singer/pianist Susan Pereira, whom we know from her most interesting Sabor Brasil band.
The album opens with the “Misturada,” a samba composed by the great Airto Guimorvã Moreira. The song appeared as “Mixing” on his masterpiece album Seeds on the Ground (1971) also known as The Essential Airto featuring Flora Purim (1976). The rendition here on Vision for Rhythm matches the skillful original recording, it’s even sharper, and immediately sets the quality standard for Vanderlei’s first solo release. Susan Pereira adds wordless vocals and percussion, as she does in a superb way throughout most of the tracks on the album. Other accompanying musicians are Jorge Continentino on flute, pifano, and tenor sax, Rodrigo Ursaia on tenor sax, Deanna Witkowski on the piano, Paul Meyers on acoustic guitar, and Gustavo Amarante and Itaiguara Brandão on the electric basses. A jazzy setting and that’s exactly what we get. Jazz in unmistakably Brazilian influences.
Vanderlei is a master in performing the various Brazilian rhythms. Along with some of his own wonderful compositions, Vanderlei leads his band through the work of Brazilian greats, including accordionist Toninho Ferragutti, Antonio Adolfo, Edu Lobo, and the late Kimson Plaut (1952-2001). The album features highlight after highlight. Each track is performed with a clearly noticeable love for the involved composition. The playful way with which the musicians perform their skills as soloists is a perfect reflection of how the positive-minded Vanderlei Pereira wanders through the world of music. If there would and could be any doubt about the drummer Vanderlei Pereira, then just listen to the last two minutes of the album: a breathtaking solo performance on the drums. Not a faster-than-fast show-off, but an extremely tasteful vision for rhythm. In this crazy time of the Covid pandemic, an album like this is more than welcome to set the mind to something many of us can’t do without: good music!
ALBUM INFORMATION
Vanderlei Pereira and Blindfold Test
Vision for Rhythm
Jazzheads JH1242 2020
Time: 70’16”
Tracks:
- Misturada (Airto Moreira)
- Ponto de Partida (Vanderlei Pereira)
- Chapéu Palheta (Toninho Ferragutti)
- Mercado Modelo (Kimson Plaut)
- O Que Ficou (Vanderlei Pereira)
- The Cry and The Smile (Nando Lauria)
- Partido Leve (Antonio Adolfo)
- Corrupião (Edu Lobo)
- Les Matins de Rixensart (Jasnam Daya Singh)
- Alma Brasileira (Zeca Freitas)
- De Volta à Festa (Vanderlei Pereira)
- Vision for Rhythm (Vanderlei Pereira)
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