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Jazz Times Review, May, 2008
Weird, but this guy with the name Ed Johnson composes some of the finest Brazilian music in the world from his home base in Northern California. It just goes to show that the world-wide reach of the bossa nova style popularized by Antonio Carlos Jobim, João Gilberto and Baden Powell has never lessened and infiltrates all corners of the globe. The joyful and romantic strains of bossa nova are what Johnson co-opts so well with his eight-piece Novo Tempo.
Johnson even possesses the Milton Nascimento/Ivan Lins sweet falsetto, which he showcases on original tunes like “Song For My Daughter,” “Behind The Fire,” and “Katrina,” as well as on those mixing English and Portuguese, including “Shipwrecked (Naufragado)” and “Chorar.” But Johnson’s real strength comes with his vocalese–no traslation needed–especially when working in tandem with pianist Jennifer Scott on “Samba 2 Tom” and “Clean Up.” Although Johnson of course works the nylon string with lyrical ease, Scott Sorkin’s plugged-in accompaniment and Scott’s piano solo give tunes like “The Other Road” a delightful Metheny-esque touch.
Classical. Brazilian. R&B. Jazz. Afro-Cuban. Popular Rock and Roll. ED JOHNSON's mastery of so many different styles, coupled with a passion for harmony vocal and horn arrangements, all factor into a magical blend of vibrant, original contemporary jazz that is winning fans and airplay worldwide. Ed’s original music is evocative of Brazilian pop, but unlike anything you’ve heard before.
As a vocalist, Ed Johnson is frequently compared to Ivan Lins, Milton Nascimento, Kenny Rankin, and Michael Franks. As a guitarist and bandleader, critics often cite the lushly exotic, accessible sounds of Airto and Flora Purim. Ed has seven recording projects to his credit, in addition to producer’s credits for other singer/songwriters.
Movimento is Ed’s third and latest solo release. Ed’s previous release, 2002’s Over That Wave, received glowing reviews, national airplay, and made the Bubbling Under section of the Yellow Dog Jazz chart.
Ed tours regularly with his band NOVO TEMPO, featuring brass man JOHN WORLEY (Stanley Clarke, Wayne Shorter Sextet), woodwind player KRISTIN STROM (Nuclear Whales), guitar/mandolin wizard SCOTT SORKIN, Canadian pianist and award-winning singer JENNIFER SCOTT, Canadian bass star RENE WORST, drummer MARK IVESTER, and percussionists JEFF BUSCH and MICHAELLE GOERLITZ. The band has been performing and recording with this personnel intact since 2002, and continues to be Ed's primary vehicle for showcasinging his music.
Ed has performed and recorded with numerous musicians over the years, including SMITH DOBSON, RICK VANDIVIER and NINA GERBER, and singers NATE PRUITT, KIM SCANLON, and THE POINTER SISTERS. Ed has showcased his vocal arranging talents in numerous groups including the critically acclaimed SHARP 9 and THE GRYPHON QUINTET, with which he recorded several albums, and as co-director of the popular GRYPHON CAROLERS.
Mentor to innumerable guitar students, Ed has taught private lessons and group classes in Palo Alto, California for more than 25 years, and at jam sessions and music camps nationwide, where he easily swings from Beatles marathons to all-night jazz jams. He co-produced two interactive sound exhibits for Seattle’s EXPERIENCE MUSIC PROJECT, and is the co-author of an instructional CD and booklet on harmony singing.
Michael P. Gladstone says about The Other Road:"It has been three years since Movimento (Cumulus, 2004), the last album from singer/guitarist Ed Johnson & Novo Tempo, and the wait has been worth it.""The Other Road.evokes vivid memories of Brazilian samba and bossa nova music""Johnson's “Katrina” could easily serve as a substitute to Randy Newman’s already overplayed “Louisiana 1927.”"Check out the full review HERE!
Jean Bartlett says about Ed Johnson & Novo Tempo:
"If you like the early rhythms of bossa nova and samba, if you like a musician's passion for harmonies which definitely celebrate the sounds of Brazil, and if you like songs with words to make you think and dream, then see you Saturday night when Ed Johnson and Novo Tempo climb onboard the Sanchez Concert Hall stage."
Check out the full review HERE!
Purchse Ed Johnson's New CD, The Other Road
