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Another demo made here at home to simple show musicians my arrangement and concept for a tune. The edges are a little rough and this is all first take and excuse my antiquated drum machine but I love this tune and this "mojo" rhythm and the way the melody is juxtaposed against it. My dream is to record this in the studio someday with a live band...
This Joao Bosco song was originally recorded on one of his early albums in a gorgeous free floating ballad style with full orchestra. Years later Sergio Mendes arranged the tune for Joao and it was included on the Grammy winning record "Brasileiro" I fell in love with the song and perform it often. This recording is from the up-coming Tropics CD
This is an arrangement I crafted after performing so many different versions of this song with so many different artists. I added some of my own ideas that evolved over the years and borrowed from others and really just had fun with it.
This is from the Demo I made with my quintet in Colorado called "Banda" We played as house band for a few years at Vartan's Jazz club in Denver Colorado. The group featured many of Colorado's finest jazz musicians and the legendary Brazilian musician Claudio Slon on drums.
The Banda Demo was finished quickly in two days to look for gigs. I am sorry we never recorded a CD later on, years after this demo, the band was sounding really good!
Mitchell Long - vocals and guitar, Claudioa Slon - drums, Bijoux - bass, Jeff Jenkins - piano and Bob Rebholz on woodwinds.
I wrote this song one afternoon remembering my girlfriend who had gone back to Brazil. Having a bad case of "saudade" created this song. My friend Moreno in New York heard the story and song and came up worked with me to craft this beautiful lyric.
The group "Banda" was put together by me and the late great Claudio Slon. I treasure those days with Claudio, these demos we made and the years of playing such wonderful music together. He was a good friend and a master of music and working together to give an excellent performance in the studio, a jazz club or big concert stage.
Gilberto Gil is a great inspiration to me. He is a fierce musician, a unique composer and a incredible person. He was my inspiration to start singing. I believe this song De Ouro e Marfim was played at a festival for Iemanja in tribute to Jobim after his passing. The title means "Of Gold and Ivory"
This is from the demo recording by the group Banda featuring myself and Claudio Slon.
Here is a rough mix from the new Tropics recording featuring myself and guitar and vocals, Jose Marino on bass, Cristiano Novelli on drums, Ritchie Garcia on percussion and Frank Zotolli on keys.
Here is my arrangement of Jobims classic bossa nova standard Wave in a Mazurka rhythm. I discovered the Cape Verdean Mazurkas are so infectious and wonderful and also love the way they play this groove in Martinique. Jobim's Wave seems to fit perfectly for this rhythm.
Djavan's music is so completely irresistible, he is one of the composer/artists that drew me deep into Brazilian music. This Baiao tune is from one of his early recordings.
Recoded live, no overdubs at Tony Shogren's studio.
Mitchell Long - guitar/vocals, Tony Shogren - drums and Larry Steen on bass.
I first heard this song sung by the master Brazilian guitarist-vocalist Urano Souza when I was living in Madrid, Spain. From there I discovered and looked deeply into the music of Paulinho da viola, who became one of my favorite composers and characters in Brazilian music.This is a classic samba that many people have recorded. This is also a study for me of Rafael Rabellos 7 string guitar style. The counterpoint lines on the 7 string guitar are so masterful and this is and exact transcription from Paulinho's recording.
All instruments, percussion and voice: Mitchell Long
Here is a wonderful arrangement from Alcione of an exciting samba "Meu Ebano" I recorded it at home and played all the instruments with Dilma Barros singing...
