Freedom

ALBARE – Guitars, Composer/Producer

Albert Dadon, stage name ALBARE, was born in 1957. ALBARE started playing music at the ripe age of 8 when his late mother bought a classic acoustic guitar for his birthday. Living in Israel at the time, he became one of the first students of the freshly opened conservatory of music in Dimona Israel. His love for the instrument only became obvious when his parents moved to France when he turned 10. His discovery of Django Reinhardt, Jimi Hendrix, Wes Montgomery, and later Antonio Carlos Jobim, set ALBARE into a lifetime of study, composing and playing the instrument.

ALBARE remembers that the sense of melody he brings to his compositions and improvisation was always present. Compositions written in his teenage years, such as ‘What Goes Around’ (from the album by the same name) and Zarathoustra (Midnight Blues) were recorded in the 90s and still form part of the ALBARE repertoire today. The songs presented in ‘Freedom’ are all original compositions by either ALBARE or his collaboration with Phil Turcio which has been ongoing for over thirty years. Freedom is a tribute to the symbol Jazz represents everywhere. In a world where freedom of expression is increasingly being censored, ALBARE says “Jazz is the voice of freedom and it shall never be silenced”.

Randy Brecker – Flugerhorn and Trumpet

Jazz trumpeter and composer Randy Brecker has helped shape the sound of jazz, R&B and rock for over five decades. His trumpet and flugelhorn performances have graced hundreds of albums by a wide range of artists from James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen and Parliament/ Funkadelic to Frank Sinatra, Steely Dan, Jaco Pastorius and Frank Zappa. Randy is a multi-Grammy Award winner., a living legend, and one of the greatest musicians of all times. His special sound and touch are illustrated in ‘Favela’ and ‘So Danço Samba ’ in this second volume of ALBARE Plays Jobim.

Ada Rovatti – Alto and Tenor Sax

Italian native Ada Rovatti started playing saxophone in high school after years of classical piano training. After winning a scholarship from Berklee College of Music in Italy she divided herself between Boston where she studied with Joe Viola, George Garzone and Fred Lipsius and Italy where she was regular working in Big Band with guest artists such as: Phil Woods, Lee Konitz and many more. Upon completing her studies Ada embarked on a stellar career, a journey that took her around the world touring with Mike Stern, John McLaughlin, Anne Ducros, Bob Mintzer, Victor Bailey, Joanne Brackeen, Tony Levin, James Moody, Aretha Franklin, Herbie Hancock to name but a few.

Ada was part of 2 Grammy winning CDs by Randy Brecker – “34 th N Lex” and “Rocks” with NDR Big Band along with David Sanborn, and on the acclaimed CD of John McLaughlin “Industrial Zen” and also appeared in the movie ‘Mona Lisa Smile’ featuring Julia Roberts.

As a band leader she has released her own work and continuously composes and arranges for her band as well as others. This is her first appearance in an album of guitarist composer ALBARE. It is certain not to be the last.

Felix Bloxom – Drums

Felix Bloxom was a long time resident of Los Angeles and New York. Along his journey Felix has toured and recorded with greats such as Sia, Mika, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Empire Of The Sun, Bob Moses, Barney McAll and many more. He now lives with his family in Melbourne Australia. This is his first apearance on an ALBARE project and is sure not to be the last.