Cassio Vianna Jazz Orchestra | Vida


NOTES FROM THE COMPOSER

The title of this album -- Vida – comes from my realization that all these compositions have been inspired by stories, events, and facts about my life. The selection of these charts reflects my deep sense of gratitude for the gift of existing and for the privilege of making art; for life’s joys and sorrows, its ups and downs, its moments of collaboration and of solitude. I sincerely hope this music speaks to you and brings inspiration to your life.

Vida

Cassio Vianna Jazz Orchestra

Vida cover

Physical & Digital formats available on Bandcamp

Buy Now - 1

Scores and parts available at www.cassiovianna.com

Buy Now - 1

Tocando a Vida – Life goes on. I wrote this tune for my Brazilian jazz trio Dialeto Brasileiro in Rio de Janeiro in 2006, at a difficult time in my life – you wouldn’t guess it from its good vibe -- but it somehow acknowledges that life will always find a way to heal itself and to transform us along the way. Composing has helped me get through troubled times. “Tocando a Vida” plays with the Portuguese verb “tocar,” which can have several meanings: to play (an instrument), to play (a game), to touch, or to move on.  This big band arrangement was written in 2024, especially to feature Eric Marienthal on sax, one of my most cherished collaborations to date.

Sea-Song – Life is full of uncertainties, dangers, and hope. The life of an immigrant often feels vulnerable; it’s a little like being a child again: relearning to speak and to express ourselves in a new language, changing our behavior according to the new culture, constantly adjusting to new norms and expectations. This composition was inspired both by my experience as an immigrant, and by the poet Richard Blanco’s words: “The sea doesn’t matter; what matters is this: we all belong to the sea between us.” The chart’s triple meter, along with an odd bass line (and a few odd meters thrown in) represent the sea.

Flight 962 – Life is full of opportunities. I composed this samba in Tacoma (WA) in 2019, in celebration of my 10th anniversary living in the U.S. It captures the excitement of my first journey from Rio de Janeiro to Portland, Oregon, back in 2009, which was the beginning of a new fascinating phase in my life – one that led me to my family, the building of my career, and a world of new friendships and collaborative opportunities.  

Read the Review!

AAJ

Download the liner notes booklet

Vida 6

Unwritten Letter – A life well lived is filled with memories and stories. I wrote this piece in Oregon, in 2011, for my album Letters to Grace: A Song Cycle, but it never received lyrics, and so this “song” never made it into that project. I set it aside as the “unwritten letter” until 2024, when I decided to arrange it for this album. Often, instrumental music can speak better than words.

Scrabble – A life well lived is playful and filled with true friendships. To me, writing bebop has always felt like playing a game: there are so many possibilities in its chromatic melodies, rhythmic variations, and dissonant chord voicings. Though it may seem odd to feature one bebop chart on a mostly Brazilian jazz album, it was an intentional decision on my part: this chart speaks to the cross-cultural character of my work. I dedicate this chart to all my jazz friends who have performed and enjoyed my work with open hearts and minds.

In Her Garden – Love is life’s greatest gift. My family’s small backyard garden feeds us, both literally and metaphorically. First, we gather from it all sorts of delicious produce: berries, green leaves, vegetables, and fruits. But it also feeds our soul: it’s a place of imaginary play for our children, a place of joy, and a haven for our summer picnics. This is my wife’s place: where we all feel safe, happy, and loved. Musically speaking, every phrase in this chart starts with a simple, short melodic idea that slowly unfolds, expands its roots, and blossoms. 

Choro for my Boys – Life gives us an opportunity to care for each other. A typical choro – a music style popular in Rio de Janeiro since the late 1800s – is usually written in three major parts in different keys, which provided me with an opportunity to celebrate my three sons: Luciano, Caio and Giovanni.

Mistlike – Life is fragile. In 2023, my family was suddenly reminded of life’s immense fragility. One year later, in the summer of 2024, I composed this piece inspired by that traumatic experience. The title comes from the realization that our lives are “like a mist that appears for a while and then vanishes.”


TRACK LIST

1.   Tocando a Vida
Solos: Wagner Trindade (bass), Eric Marienthal (alto sax)

2.   Sea-Song
Solos: Michael Van Bebber (trumpet), Brian Monroney (guitar)

3.   Flight 962
Solos: Conner Eisenmenger (trombone), Mark Taylor (alto sax), Mark Ivester (drums)

4.   Unwritten Letter
Solos: David Joyner (piano), Tom Bergeron (soprano sax)

5.   Scrabble
Solos: Alexey Nikolaev (tenor sax), Kareem Kandi (tenor sax), David Joyner (piano), Carter Eng (trumpet), Mark Ivester (drums)

6.   In Her Garden
Solos: Clipper Anderson (bass), Keith Karns (flugelhorn), Alexey Nikolaev (tenor sax) 

7.   Choro for my Boys
Solos: Brian Monroney (guitar), Kate Olson (baritone sax)

8.   Mistlike
Solos: Soloists: Jared Hall (flugelhorn), David Joyner (piano)


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

My immense gratitude to the musicians performing on this album. To Tom, Mark Taylor, Jeff Chang, Alexey, Kareem, Kate, Andy, Keith, Michael, Jared, Carter, Conner, Nathan, Ryan, Nelson, Brian, Ben, David, Clipper, Wagner, Mark Ivester, and Jeff Busch; I feel very fortunate to collaborate with all of you! Thank you for your beautiful work!

Special gratitude to Eric Marienthal, whose work has greatly inspired me since my teenage years. It is an absolute honor to have you on this project!

To Ben Lange for your extraordinary work recording and mixing this album (and playing the mandolin!).

To Ross Nyberg for his fabulous work mastering this CD.

To my nephews Daniel and André Barreto for your beautiful work on the photography and visual concept of this album’s cover. I love you both! Thanks also to Anderson Oliveira for your beautiful graphic design.

To my family and friends in the U.S. and in Brazil, who continue to support and to encourage me. Special gratitude to my dear mom Maria do Carmo for her never-ending love, and to my siblings Carmen and Edson. Amo vocês!

Whenever a new project begins to brew in my mind, I call a small group of friends and mentors, who always respond with enthusiasm, encouragement, and good advice: thank you Tom Bergeron, David Caffey, John LaBarbera, and Wagner Trindade for all you do to support my work!

To my colleagues, music educators, students, and former students who share with me this great musical passion. Thank you for making the world a better place, one note at a time. 


FUNDING

This project would not have been possible without the support of organizations and individuals who believe in me and in my work. My most sincere gratitude to:

The Karen Hille Philips Regency Advancement Award, Pacific Lutheran University (Tacoma, WA);

The 2024 Grants for Artist Projects (GAP) by Artist Trust (Seattle, WA);

To everyone who contributed to my crowdfunding campaign by pre-ordering this CD. Very special thanks to Shannon and Lori Glasscock, Allison and Juan Piñeros Glasscock, Maria do Carmo Barbosa, Lauralee Hagen, Donna Henderson and Rich Sutliff for your generous contributions to this project!  

DEDICATION

This CD is dedicated to Bethany and to our sons: Luciano, Caio and Giovanni. 


PERSONNEL

Conducted by Cassio Vianna

SAXOPHONES
Eric Marienthal – guest alto sax (track 1)
Tom Bergeron – soprano, alto (lead)
Mark Taylor – alto (2, 3, 4, 5)
Jeff Chang – alto (1, 6, 7, 8)
Alexey Nikolaev – tenor
Kareem Kandi – tenor
Kate Olson – baritone
 

TRUMPETS
Andy Omdahl – trumpet (lead)
Keith Karns – trumpet & flugelhorn
Carter Eng – trumpet
Michael Van Bebber – trumpet (2, 3, 4, 5)
Jared Hall – trumpet, flugelhorn (1, 6, 7, 8)

TROMBONES
Conner Eisenmenger (lead 1, 6, 7, 8)
Nathan Vetter (lead 2, 3, 5)
Ryan Wagner (lead 4)
Nelson Bell (bass)

RHYTHM SECTION
Brian Monroney – guitars
Ben Lange – mandolin (track 7)
David Joyner – piano
Clipper Anderson – acoustic bass (4, 5, 6, 8)
Wagner Trindade – electric bass (1, 2, 3, 7)
Mark Ivester – drums
Jeff Busch – percussion (1, 2, 7)

Recorded and mixed by Benjamin Lange at the Lange Studios (Edgewood, WA)
Eric Marienthal’s saxophone recorded at Sax Trax Studios, by Eric Marienthal

Mastered by Ross Nyberg at Nyberg Mastering (Issaquah, WA)

Visual Concept: Daniel and André Barreto
Photography: André Barreto
Graphic Design: Anderson Oliveira

PRODUCED BY CASSIO VIANNA
All songs composed, arranged and orchestrated by Cassio Vianna – Vianna Music, BMI

Scores and parts available at www.cassiovianna.comhttps://cassiovianna.com/jazz-scores

© 2024 Teal Creek Music • Contact