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When Emma Sidney planned her second album she dreamed a wish list of how to realise her passion to celebrate the languid beauty and passion of the Brazilian Bossa Nova. The result is Bossa Eyes.
Emma describes her vision;
"Eyes, infant and child, are transformed to bossa, bossarised as it were. The eyes being the window to the soul… and so it's about the emotion of the album, where you get to know what a Jazz Girl sees through Bossa Eyes".
MOVE Records is Australia’s longest running independent label, the home of Emma's first album. The MOVE studio lies in the hills, complete with Tony Gould's choice of grand piano, a history rich in jazz and classical recordings. Emma could not have chosen a better home for an intrinsically acoustic recording full of natural beauty.
Choosing complementary musicians was crucial to Emma; she spent two years bringing together the players who make this album full of joyful moments.
Musical Director and long time collaborator, Todd Sidney was chosen for his sparkling melodic interpretive skills. A consummate accompanist and performer in his own right, Todd's harmonic sensibility underpins the album, bringing space, light and shade and a natural flowing grace to the project.
Guitarist Nic Lam first came to Emma’s attention when she was Industry Judge for a talent quest a few years ago. Mentored by Australia's premier Brazilian guitarist Doug de Vries, Nic’s sound and style belie his youth, bringing virtuosic passages full of unexpected beauty and moments that elevate this album to the world stage.
Emma fell in love with legendary jazz identity Bob Sedergreen’s composition Intersection while being mentored some time ago in one of Bob’s vocal jazz courses. Having also worked with Bob on Infant Eyes, it was only natural that Emma wanted him to be part of this release. His incredible style and infectious enthusiasm was a joy through long hours in the recording studio.
Bassist ‘Uncle’ Leon Heale has been a ray of sunshine to Emma for many years. He brings a wealth of sensitivity to the album equally matched by his signature bass tone. Leon and Todd's amazing simpatico make every track groove.
Denis Close breathes Brazilian percussion, adding a beautiful rhythmic undercurrent to the sound on Bossa Eyes. Having studied in Brazil, Denis was essential to creating authentic syncopated beats over which the songs move and play.
Finally, Emma needed someone to be her ears in the control room. Producer Paul Boath was sought as helmsman for the project, bringing years of experience to the recording having steered productions for the likes of Oscar Petersen, Joe Pass, Janet Seidel, Don Burrows and Bob Barnard. Being instrumental in the inner circle of world class performers such as Ray Charles, Elton John and John Farnham, Emma knew she was in good hands when Paul decided to nurture this wonderful album.
Bossa Eyes is available now in all good record stores and online through iTunes, www.emmasidney.com and www.move.com.au.
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Recordings