Nobresil

LEO NOBRE

WAXING BRAZILIAN

There are parallels between surfing and bass playing

according to Brazilian bass man Leo Nobre. He ought to know – he’s done both professionally. “When you catch a good wave, you connect and get that perfect line,” says Leo. “With bass , you make a connection that allows everything to flow. When you wipe out, it’s like the setbacks you face in the music industry. You’ve got to just roll with it.” Leo caught a great wave in his latest gig with Brazilian samba-soul superstar Sergio Mendes. Leo’s playing features prominently on tracks with Stevie Wonder and Jill Scott on Sergio’s latest, Timeless. With reve reviews for the record rolling in, the forecast looks like a busy touring schedule might keep Leo from riding the waves.

Did you study music formally?

I studied jazz at the University of Miami for four years. I never graduated, though, because I started studying classical bass with an amazing teacher named Lucas Drew. I decided to focus on that instead of finishing my program. Plus, I was already gigging at that point. I felt I’d played with everybody at Miami, and I wanted to explore other styles of music.

How did your style develop after you left school?

My head was packed with information—a zillion notes and licks. That was great, but in the real world it’s more important to know what not to play. I started working with singer/songwriters—like Fulano, who was nominated for a Latin Grammy last year—and I had to discipline myself to find the beauty in playing less. I read something in Bass Player about using dynamics to create different effects: short notes, long notes, muted notes. It was brilliant. That’s what I’m into. I’m definitely a dynamic player.

What bassists do you most admire?

In the early ’80s, it was Jaco Pastorius, Stanley Clarke, and Marcus Miller. Later, I got into more of the groove players like James Jamerson. There are a few guys from Brazil who amaze me, like Nico Assumpção and Luizão Maia. In the ’70s and ’80s, Luizão was doing most of the sessions in Brazil; he was to Brazilian music what Jamerson was to Motown. Nowadays, I’m listening to Richard Bona and Oteil Burbridge.

Timeless merges traditional Brazilian sounds with hip-hop and rap. Was that a stretch for you?

I’ve played a lot of funk and hip-hop, so that felt natural. When you play sambas, you want the bass to be clear and defined, but hip-hop relies more on heavy low end. To get that sound I use a DOD filter to add lows. Our house engineer hated it and thought there was too much bass in the room. But with hip-hop, the walls have to shake, so we had a bit of a battle!
By Diane Gershuny Fleming
May 1, 2006 - Bass Player Magazine-Print

"Recife Frio" and "Riscado" (Craft) opens the 3rd. Annual Brazilian Festival at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. The night was glittering with beautiful people, cocktail and music shows. The special surprise, a short performance by Bebel Gilberto...also on the bill Mari Nobre with an array of Brazilian themes... - Radio Production -Consulate General of Brazil

Upon showcasing their NEW CD "Nobresil (In Brazil)" here FIRST on Smooth Jazz Magazine, Congratulations for all the radio stations that have picked it up!! Here is just a partial list..... DC 101-DC - X-103-Indy's - 94.5-The Buzz-Houston's - Star1019.com/Hawaii - Des Moines' -1460 KXNO - WALK 97.5 Long Island's - Wild 95.5/The Palm Beaches' - 107.5 WGCI-Chicago's - WNCI 97.9/Columbus, Ohio - 101.3 KDWB The Twin Cities - Mia 1430 - 98.7 FM-Los Angeles/Orange County - 1065 The End-Charlotte's - 97.5FM;B93.COM/West Michigan - Y100-Miami's - 97.3 KissFM Savannah & Hilton Head - Toledo's Hit Music - Philly's Power99 ...... - Smooth Jazz Magazine

Nobresil (In Brazil) is an authentic work of love translating in unique World Jazz and Brazilian music. The band Nobresil has an irresistible sound produced by Latin Grammy awarded Brazilian bass player Leo Nobre (Sergio Mendes, Stevie Wonder, Black Eyed Peas, Shakira) and enhanced by the sensual voice of World music sensation Mari Nobre (Latin All Stars). Nobresil is a magnet for world class musicians like Jovino Santos Neto (Hermeto Pascoal) who arranged the beautiful Corcovado featuring the magical duet of Andrew Connell (Pavarotti, Hermeto Pascoal) at clarinet and Mari Nobre at vocals.Gibi dos Santos (Sergio Mendes) at percussion, Frank Zottoli (Stan Getz Trio, Pointers Sisters) at piano, and Kleber Jorge (Sergio Mendes) at guitar, together with top drummers like Leo Costa (Los Lobos), Sandro Feliciano (Airto Moreira) and Enzo Todesco (Gino Vannelli,Toninho Horta, Randy Crawford), are creating an amazing groove for Mari Nobre's velvet vocals...Smooth Jazz Magazine. - IHeartradio

"We are delighted to feature new music from friends of our shows Mari and Leo Nobre from Nobresil..." - Wes Gillespie

Mari Nobre is an explosive and sensual combination of Jazz and Latin flavor.
The Artist Revealed ' Interview - April 2011

Q1 - Tell us a little about your current project or latest release ?

Mari Nobre: "Nobresil (In Brazil)" is the result of our true love for good Jazz and Brazilian music. Latin Grammy awarded musical director Leo Nobre (Sergio Mendes, Shakira, Stevie Wonder) is a true Carioca (native of Rio) and his experience touring all around the world lead him to create something amazing like this CD. Nobresil is not your typical Bossa Nova band, it is a daring venture into world sounds and rhythms.

However, Nobresil (In Brazil) starts with the tributes to the founders of Brazilian music recognizing their influence on our generation of musicians. As the singer of this project I feel so honored to be part of it. Our latest single releases are now available on ITunes:they are Corcovado, Madalena and Voce Abusou.

Nobresil's album is for sale on www.Nobresil.com

Q2 - Did you have any guests appearing on the project ?

Mari Nobre: Nobresil's CD has been a magnet for all the best musicians on the Brazilian Jazz scene. Twice Grammy nominated Jazz master Jovino Santos Neto (Hermeto Pascoal) was the first one to work on the project with a extraordinary arrangement of Corcovado featuring the encounter of my vocal solo with Dr. Andy Connell's clarinet solo. Andy played with artists like Pavarotti and Hermeto Pascoal in the past and it was emotional to perform with him.

Half of Sergio Mendes' band was also on the project (Kleber Jorge at guitar, Gibi dos Santos at percussion). On our single that also inspired our first video from the album "Voce Abusou" TJ Tesh (Natalie Cole, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones) played the flugerhorn and veteran Frank Zottoli (Stan Getz trio, Pointers Sisters) was at the Fender Rhodes. Without mentioning 3 of the best drummers in the world alternating on the tracks: Leo Costa (Los Lobos), Sandro Feliciano (Airto Moreira)and Enzo Todesco (Gino Vannelli, Randy Crawford, Toninho Horta). What a treat!

Q3 - How long did the project take from start to finish ?

Mari Nobre: About 9 months, like a full term baby!

Q4 - How do you go about marketing your music nowadays ?

Mari Nobre: We are currently promoted by Smooth Jazz Magazine as the best World Jazz band in their "new music" category. The editor from the magazine who came to see our CD release party had so much fun that he published 45 photos of the show and he offered us to promote the band. It has been less than a month from our CD release and the interest is growing in every direction...Of course radio like JazzNet247 Radio and the internet are also essential marketing channels.

Q5 - How do you see the industry developing over the next few years ?

Mari Nobre: Internet will always find new ways to promote music products. I also expect more independent labels taking off and more alternative music markets. Globalization is really happening.

Q6 - Have you any plans to tour or appear at any festivals or events ?

Mari Nobre: Yes, we are booking many events. We are booking for next year and a possible world tour. I will keep you updated.

Q7 - What do you do when you are not making music ?

Mari Nobre: I cook Italian and Brazilian food for my family and friends. I am also continuing my music education as I feel music is such an immense that I will never finish learning.

Q8 - What does the immediate future hold in store for you ?

Mari Nobre: A new album of originals songs that I am writing, we are already working on it and I can't wait to go back in studio.

Website :- www.nobresil.com | View Music Video Of Voce Abusou

- Wes Gillespie

Nobresil (In Brazil) is an authentic work of love translating in unique World Jazz and Brazilian music. The band Nobresil has an irresistible sound produced by Latin Grammy awarded Brazilian bass player Leo Nobre (Sergio Mendes, Stevie Wonder, Black Eyed Peas, Shakira) and enhanced by the sensual voice of World music sensation Mari Nobre (Latin All Stars). Nobresil (In Brazil) is playful and ironic like only a Carioca (native of Rio) can be. Each song is a classic and offers a beautiful image of Brazil while the tracks are dominated by the roaring bass lines of Leo Nobre. Nobresil is a magnet for world class musicians like Jovino Santos Neto (Hermeto Pascoal) who arranged the beautiful Corcovado featuring the magical duet of Dr. Andy Connell (Pavarotti, Hermeto Pascoal) at clarinet and Mari Nobre at vocals. Gibi dos Santos (Sergio Mendes) at percussion, Frank Zottoli (Stan Getz Trio, Pointers Sisters) at piano, and Kleber Jorge (Sergio Mendes) at guitar, together with top drummers like Leo Costa (Los Lobos), Sandro Feliciano (Airto Moreira) and Enzo Todesco (Gino Vannelli,Toninho Horta, Randy Crawford), are creating an amazing groove for Mari Nobre's velvet vocals. Her interpretation of Dindi and Triste will leave you asking for more. Voce Abusou, features an opening African vocal choir that develops into a real party scene at Mama Cats’ Studio with TJ Tesh (Natalie Cole, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones) at flugelhorn and a clear invitation to simply have fun! The singles from the CD are for sale on Itunes and the CD is available on the band's website: www.Nobresil.com. - Smooth Jazz Magazine