“Clarão” is a contender for a nomination in the Latin Jazz category
She has performed at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall and The Kennedy Center; is part of two New York City-area ensembles, including one for which she co-founded and serves as artistic director; has taught master classes and professional clinics at universities and conservatories; and has been with the Army’s West Point Band since 2007. Thus, being considered as a “new artist” upon the release of her debut album last July has been “a whole new world” for classically trained clarinetist-vocalist Kristen Mather de Andrade. Now, that critically hailed album, “Clarão,” is being considered for a Grammy nomination in Latin Jazz.
“Clarão” is a blend of Brazilian music, classical and jazz. Producer Sergio Krakowski teamed with Mather de Andrade to create an authentic listening experience, surrounding the clarinetist’s rich melodies and impassioned vocal harmonies with Brazilian instrumentation (violão, pandeiro, accordion and bass) and big band arrangements. The set list is comprised of traditional instrumentals and four original songs penned by Brazilian singer-songwriter Roque Ferriera that feature Mather de Andrade singing in Portuguese. Mather de Andrade’s long-held passion for Brazilian culture is as genuine as the album itself. Attracted to Brazilian music early on, the native of Youngstown, Ohio who is presently based near New York City married a Brazilian man a decade ago and decided to immerse herself in the culture by learning to sing in Portuguese and play choros (classic instrumental Brazilian pop music dating back a century ago) on clarinet.
Not only has stepping into the spotlight as a solo recording artist broadened Mather de Andrade’s artistic experience, but it has opened up her mind to previously unimagined creative possibilities, expanding and diversifying her musical palate. She recently commissioned Velocity Music to produce a remix of the album closer, “O Clarinete Gostoso,” unexpectedly setting the joyous clarinet oeuvre to a funky hip-hop groove.
“I had gone to see Sergio Krakowski play with a couple of friends, and I remember talking about rhythms and samples. So, I had it hiding in the back of my mind that maybe I could do something different with this music in the future,” said Mather de Andrade about the single that drops on Friday and is available at https://bit.ly/3bmjqdw.
Mather de Andrade had begun recording music for her second album when she found out that “Clarão” made the cut for a potential Grammy nomination. The possibility hadn’t even occurred to her, and the selection brought to mind the doubts and challenges she had to overcome when she first conjured the idea of recording an album.
“I know it is cliché, but I never thought I would be in a position where I would even have a solo album, let alone one that could be considered for a Grammy nomination. Whatever happens, I am most proud that I followed through with recording it. This whole journey has been a transformational experience for me, setting a course that I hope to continue on, creating and sharing music with the world.”
Since its release, Mather de Andrade’s “Clarão” has been universally hailed by reviewers. Below is a sampling.
“Simply gorgeous.” – Exclusive Magazine
“A sweet and blessed Brazilian Jazz project.” – The Pulse of Entertainment and EUR Web
“This album is a street festival of fun.” – Jazz Weekly
“It’s a lovely album of local jazz and instrumental music that enchants throughout.” – Midwest Record
“‘Clarão’ is an honest take on a very particular Brazilian art form, though it’s also surprising in its diversity.” – Soul and Jazz and Funk
“‘Clarão’ is a world music album with global appeal.” – Musical Memoirs
“For those who love Brazilian music.” – Keys and Chords
For more information, please visit https://kristenmather.com.
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