Reviews
HARVEY LIVE
"The performance aroused a standing ovation for what was two sets of intricately conceived and played compositions."
— L.A. JAZZ SCENE
"Wainapel plays with the performance attitude which for me is what jazz and improvisation is all about…it's a pleasure to listen to Harvey's soulful interpretations."
— JOE LOVANO
"The room is warm, the audience is happy, and he is good…Wainapel's star shines brighter."
— SKY MAGAZINE (DELTA AIRLINES)
"Extraordinary tonal sensibility, wisdom, maturity and inner harmony."
— STUTTGARTER ZEITUNG (Stuttgart, Germany)
"World-class…the results were fantastic"
— THE LOS ANGELES TIMES
"Wainapel displayed incredible intimacy with the language of Brazilian music and great stage presence."
—O GLOBO (Rio de Janeiro)
" Harvey understands Brazilian music in a way that's very unusual; he's got the spirit, he's a great musician!"
— IVAN LINS
AMIGOS BRASILEIROS VOL 2
"Each song has a different composer, different rhythm and different musicians. What unites all of them is the freshness of the sound. The music is captivating, and the performances are stellar...Wainapel is to be commended for...taking new and bold steps to showcase such incredible musicianship. Complementing the fine repertoire, the graphic design and artwork in the liner notes are beautiful. An extra bonus is Wainapel'sde tailed commentary for each track in the album."
"If Harvey Wainapel has not been made an honorary Brasilian already, then it is time that he is made one...Wainapel shows himself to be possessed of a superb swing and a sensuous shuffle as if he were mimicking the dancers in a Brasilian landscape...His solos are short and potent and they are based on the fact that every note must be meaningful as if his life depended on it."
— WORLD MUSIC REPORT
"Vol 2 winds like a long river journey, quiet yet powerful, through Brazil's subtle, sometimes complex rhythms, and its nine tracks combine to sound like one beautifully flowing piece."
— ALL ABOUT JAZZ
★★★★"adventurous and diverse"
— DOWNBEAT
"If you want to encounter the real joy and swing of modern Brazilian jazz, search no further than this wonderful session by Harvey Wainapel...This is music that revives the soul. Bravo!"
— JAZZWEEKLY.COM
★★★★★"A must for any collector....An intimate detailed look at the roots of Brazilian music, a winner!"— CRITICALJAZZ.COM
"Each selection on the recent volume is a gem...the performances, by groups ranging insize from three to twelve, are outstanding."
— CADENCE MAGAZINE
AMIGOS BRASILEIROS
"★★★★1/2
Joyous music presented on this CD. Wainapel has created a compendium of a Brazilian stew of native musical genres sure to please anyone wanting to experience the best that this intriguing country offers to an American audience that has had little exposure beyond Bossa Nova."
— AUDIOPHILE AUDITION (online review)
"When an artist takes time to get involved profoundly with the culture and music of a foreign country, the results can be amazing. Harvey Wainapel has delved deep into Brazilian music, and the end product shows in his latest CD. In this album he is joined by some forty Brazilian musicians ... Wainapel shows what he is capable of...they all have a great time with the music showcased in Amigos Brasileiros... a great accomplishment in Wainapel's career."
— MÚSICABRASILEIRA. ORG (online review)
NEW CHOROS OF BRAZIL
"One of the most beautiful Choro albums to come along in many years. Considering the the caliber of these two musicians and their respective and complimentary talents, this should come as no surprise!"
— CONNECTBRAZIL.COM
"Wainapel demonstrates that the clarinet's smooth, subtle breathiness is perfect for this setting, perfectly balancing the instruments' abundant and subtle charms. The whole set traverses all the emotions that choro is capable of; it looks like the choro as a form will continue to beguile countless listeners and musicians well into the 21st century and beyond."
— CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE
THE HANG
"★★★★ Wainapel delivers his best recording to date… it succeeds for all the right jazz reasons: impeccable arrangements, highly expressive execution and radiant ensemble fellowship." — DOWNBEAT
"This is an astonishing, exciting CD. It's a monumental showcase for virtuoso jazz woodwind player Wainapel, who plays beautifully throughout… Plenty of heat but no compromise with melody here. Lots of grand solos but steady rich ensemble choruses too." — SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER
"…quite simply one of the best mainstream jazz recordings I've heard all year…"
— THE OAKLAND TRIBUNE
"Wainapel and Barron work particularly well together and maintain a sultry, almost mysterious groove throughout. Each of the soloists is given plenty of space to develop his ideas and the result is a consistent work of seductive beauty. Listeners won't be cheated by the 70 minutes of fine music performed on this recommended set."
— ALLMUSIC .COM
AMBROSIA: THE MUSIC OF KENNY BARRON
"Wainapel proves that he is among the most imaginative and sensitive saxophonists of the post-Coltrane era."
—THE SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER
(the album) "showcases Wainapel's genius — and penchant for adventure."
— DOWNBEAT
"consistently creative, restlessly inventive."
— JAZZTIMES
"Offers a better case for concert-hall jazz than many a Jazz at Lincoln Center affair."
— JAZZIZ
"An incredible saxophonist. If there was any justice in life, Wainapel would win a grammy for this recording."— SAXOPHONE JOURNAL
AT HOME/ON THE ROAD
"A musician with his own unique and deep sound." — JAZZ LIFE (Japan)
"This is music that can be played again and again…a clear winner."— CADENCE
"Dynamic, self-assured, emotionally charged modern jazz." — TWIN CITIES READER (Minneapolis/St. Paul)
