Jongo Trio

Jongo Trio

1965

Cover of Jongo Trio
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Why This Album Matters

The self-titled debut album by Jongo Trio, released in 1965, represents a significant landmark in the Brazilian jazz-samba scene. Formed in São Paulo by Cido Bianchi on piano, Sabá on double bass, and Toninho Pinheiro on drums, the trio quickly established itself as an innovative force, distinguishing itself through instrumental excellence and daring vocal arrangements, many of which were created by Cido Bianchi. They were conceived with the ambition of emulating the success of prominent trios of the time, such as Tamba Trio, but soon developed their own sound, characterised by an elegant and versatile fusion of samba and jazz. This inaugural work not only demonstrated the virtuosity of the musicians but also Jongo Trio's ability to reinterpret and inject new life into compositions by great names in Brazilian music, alongside emerging talents. The album is a testament to the creative effervescence of bossa nova and Brazilian jazz in the mid-1960s, solidifying the identity of a group that, despite its original line-up being brief, left a lasting impression on the country's musical landscape.

Context

Jongo Trio emerged in 1965 in São Paulo, a period of great musical effervescence and, at the same time, intense political transformations in Brazil, under the military dictatorship established in 1964. Bossa nova, born in the late 1950s, had already achieved national and international prominence, and the Brazilian music scene was bubbling with the search for new sounds and experimentation that blended traditional samba with jazz influences. In this environment, the trio set out to build a solid repertoire of bossa nova, incorporating both classics by established composers such as Dorival Caymmi, Johnny Alf, and Vinicius de Moraes, as well as works by a new generation of talents, including Hermeto Pascoal, Théo de Barros, and Marcos Valle. The formation of Jongo Trio in São Paulo, and not in Rio de Janeiro (the birthplace of bossa nova), also reflects the decentralisation and expansion of the movement to other Brazilian capitals.

Recording

The Jongo Trio album of 1965 was released by Farroupilha Discos, part of RCA. Although specific details regarding the production of the debut album are scarce, the record was recorded in mono and featured Rogerio Gauss on sound engineering. The trio, composed of Cido Bianchi (piano), Sabá (double bass and vocals), and Toninho Pinheiro (drums and vocals), dedicated themselves intensely to rehearsals after their formation, quickly solidifying a cohesive and distinctive repertoire. The agility with which the group developed its sound and the technical quality of the recording reflect the professionalism of the musicians and the studio practices of the era, which sought to capture the spontaneity and energy of live performances by bossa nova and jazz-samba trios. The production aimed for a clean and direct sound, valuing the instrumental interaction and vocal harmonies that would become Jongo Trio's trademark.

Songs

The Jongo Trio's 1965 album features twelve tracks that showcase the versatility and musical depth of the ensemble. Among the notable compositions are "O Menino das Laranjas" by Théo de Barros, "Feitinha Pro Poeta" by Baden Powell and Lula Freire, "Terra de Ninguém" and "Deus Brasileiro" by Marcos Valle and Paulo Sergio Valle, "Ela Vai Ela Vem" by Roberto Menescal and Ronaldo Bôscoli, "Seu Chopin Desculpe" by Johnny Alf, "Arrastão" and "Reza" by Edu Lobo and Vinicius de Moraes/Ruy Guerra, and "Balanço Nº 1" by Hermeto Pascoal. The Jongo Trio's interpretation of these songs went beyond mere execution, imbuing the original works with a unique personality and, at times, transforming the composition's atmosphere. The vocal characteristics were a strong point, with all three members contributing three-voice harmonies that became a distinctive trademark of the group. The song "O Menino das Laranjas", in particular, had an immediate impact, being one of the tracks the trio performed as an opening act at a star-studded concert, leading them to play more songs due to the excellent public receptivity.

Legacy

Despite its original line-up lasting less than a year, the Jongo Trio of 1965 left a notable legacy in Brazilian music, with the debut album being considered a jazz-samba classic. The group's repercussion surprised even its members decades later, evidencing the enduring interest in their work. Broader recognition for Jongo Trio came with their participation in the legendary show and album "Dois na Bossa", alongside Elis Regina and Jair Rodrigues, also in 1965. This LP achieved the historic milestone of over 500,000 copies sold, an unprecedented success in Brazilian music, consolidating the trio's image with the wider public. Although, ironically, the original trio did not financially profit from the album's success, their contribution was crucial to the project, which became a landmark in MPB. The influence of Jongo Trio and their debut album lies in its authentic representation of São Paulo jazz-samba and its ability to pave the way for future experimentation in the genre.

Rankings

Tracks

Credits

Producer

Conjunto Farroupilha

Bass, Vocals

Sebastião "Sabá" Oliveira Da Paz

Drums, Vocals

Antônio "Toninho" Pinheiro

Ensemble

Jongo Trio

Piano, Vocals

Cido Bianchi

Engineer

Rogerio Gauss

Cover

Franklin França

Books

Analyses

Discogs

Jongo Trio – Discogs

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