Antonio Carlos Jobim’s Birthday Brings A Jazzy All-Star Tribute Album
Thank You, Tom Jobim includes a dozen curated tracks of favorite songs and originals from Arkadia Records as we explain with this exclusive album review.
by Scott Adams
Perhaps it’s no surprise that the countdown to Antonio Carlos Jobim’s centennial year is already underway. Few composers merit such acknowledgment, making the run to January 25, 2027, one filled with growing anticipation.
So, why these words, now?
It’s due to the thoughtful approach that Arkadia Records has taken to remind us of how one Brazilian songwriter has influenced generations of musicians and become a household name for legions of fans worldwide.
Our favorite musicians found a welcoming catalog of songs to interpret, revisit, and place their creativity upon. Families still share a hand-me-down love of timeless, cherished tunes by Antonio Carlos Jobim.
Each of us, from our youth, through young love, to the prospect of aging gracefully have been touched by his music and the memories we’ve attached to it.
Our Album Review For Thank You, Tom Jobim
Arkadia begins with the title: Thank You, Tom Jobim. It is available now as a digital album. Order your copy here.
It’s the label’s latest in a series of remarkable albums honoring the historical legacy of the giants of the jazz world. First came Arkadia’s archival tribute to John Coltrane. Then, the music of Duke Ellington. The Thank You series also includes tributes to Gerry Mulligan and Joe Henderson.
Did you pick up on the word archival? Here’s where the importance of this series and particularly Thank You, Tom Jobim reveals itself.
Saying Thank You To Jazz Legends
Each album in this series showcases the talents of the Arkadia Jazz All-Stars, the label’s handpicked roster of jazz musicians who, collectively have earned several Grammy nominations. Special guests are invited to join the series.
For Thank You, Tom Jobim, the lineup includes Nova Bossa Nova, guitarist Nigel Clark, vocalist Tetel Di Babuya, and pianists Joanne Brackeen, Daniel Grajew, and Alan Pasqua. Saxophonists include Benny Golson, Dave Leibman, T.K. Blue, Lee Konitz, Harold Land, and Ravi Coltrane.
Other highlights? Randy Brecker’s flugelhorn, legendary trombonist Bob Brookmeyer, and drummers Billy Higgins and Guilherme Franco.
To further underscore this album’s historical legacy, Thank You, Tom Jobim’s track list reads like an encyclopedia of Brazil’s greatest hits. Importantly, many of these Jobim evergreens come from his most prolific period as a songwriter.
‘Eu Sei Que Vou Te Amar’ was written in 1959. ‘Once I Loved (Amor Em Paz)’, ‘Girl From Ipanema’, ‘Wave’ and ‘Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Corcovado)’ came along in 1960.
Composed in 1965, ‘Zingaro’ is the song’s title when performed as an instrumental (here, with Dave Leibman’s soprano sax). With English lyrics, this song takes on a different name, ‘Portrait in Black and White’.
Antonio Carlos Jobim’s final years yielded a flourish of memorable songs, including the beautiful waltz, ‘Luiza’ from 1981, performed here by T.K. Blue.
Throughout, Arkadia’s stable of talented musicians live and breathe these songs, creating music that’s worthy of the word tribute in its most heartfelt sense.
Making New Arrangements
As Antonio Carlos Jobim’s centennial approaches, we’ll experience and share his musical life as never before. And here’s one story that brings some context to this album.
Early in his career, Tom Jobim’s reputation grew through his nightly club gigs in Rio’s Zona Sul. Soon enough, he came to the attention of the record labels for his dexterity as an arranger. He made his name at Brazil’s famed Odeon Records, directing its orchestra and arranging for the label’s stellar roster.
But that began to change in 1961, when he was introduced to Claus Ogerman while planning Antonio Carlos Jobim, The Composer of Desafinado Plays. Jobim began to move away from arranging his songs, preferring to hand off “that tedious task” to others.
It turned out to be the key to Jobim’s musical alchemy. Superb melodies married to rich harmonies, then given to the world’s most talented arrangers. And to generations of musicians – including those on this album – who unlocked permission to do likewise with their talents.
Thank You, Tom Jobim – The Arkadia Jazz All-Stars
The Thank You, Tom Jobim Link Tree
- Order from Arkadia Records via Bandcamp.
- Order from Apple Music here.
- Order from Amazon Music here.
- Visit The Arkadia Jazz All-Stars page.
- Join Arkadia’s mailing list (form pops up)
Hear This Album On:
Also On These Channels
- Women Of Brazilian Song New!
- Brazilian Jazz Instrumentals New!
- Brazilian Jazz
- New Music: Brazil
- Sunday Brazilian Brunch
Track List for Thank You, Tom Jobim
Click on any link to learn more about any song’s featured Jazz All-Star.
01. Girl from Ipanema
Arkadia Jazz All-Stars & Benny Golson feat. Harold Ashby, Geoff Keezer, Dwayne Burno & Joe Farnsworth
02. Eu Sei Que Vou Te Amar
Arkadia Jazz All-Stars & T.K. Blue feat. Ron Jackson & Gavin Fallow
03. Wave
Arkadia Jazz All-Stars, Harold Land & Ray Ellis & His Orchestra feat. Billy Higgins & Alan Pasqua
04. Você
Arkadia Jazz All-Stars & Tetel Di Babuya feat. Daniel Grajew
05. Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars
Arkadia Jazz All-Stars & Joanne Brackeen
06. Caso de Verao (A Summer Affair) (Radio version)
Arkadia Jazz All-Stars & Nigel Clark
07. Zingaro (Portrait in Black and White)
Arkadia Jazz All-Stars & Dave Liebman feat. Vic Juris
08. Theme for Jobim
Arkadia Jazz All-Stars, Bob Brookmeyer & Lee Konitz feat. Randy Brecker, Ted Rosenthal, Dean Johnson & Ron Vincent
09. Luiza
Arkadia Jazz All-Stars, T.K. Blue & Stefon Harris feat. James Weidman
10. Invitation (Convite)
Arkadia Jazz All-Stars & Nova Bossa Nova feat. Joe Ford & Eddie Monteiro
11. Once I Loved (Radio version)
Arkadia Jazz All-Stars & Nigel Clark
12. Wave (Radio version)
Arkadia Jazz All-Stars, Joanne Brackeen & Ravi Coltrane feat. Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez & Ira Coleman
Album Review: Thank You, Tom Jobim
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Brazil Back2Back’s Thank You, Tom Jobim Spotlight
Connect Brazil’s Midday Show – January Is Jobim! Friday, January 26, 2024
Presented by Thank You, Tom Jobim on Arkadia Jazz. Read our exclusive review here.
The new digital album Thank You, Tom Jobim debuts today! Read our review and enjoy a jazzy track from Joanne Brackeen’s piano! We’ll start it off with Jobim’s ‘Brasil Nativo’.
Connect Brazil’s Midday Show – January Is Jobim! Friday, January 19, 2024
Presented by Thank You, Tom Jobim on Arkadia Jazz. Read our exclusive review here.
Antonio Carlos Jobim’s birthday is this Thursday, and with it comes the official release of Thank You, Tom Jobim! Here’s Jobim’s ‘Photograph’ and Nigel Clark’s ‘Once I Loved’!
Connect Brazil’s Midday Show – January Is Jobim! Friday, January 12, 2024
Presented by Thank You, Tom Jobim on Arkadia Jazz. Read our exclusive review here.
January is Jobim and we’ll celebrate here every Friday with fan faves and a song from the new album Thank You, Tom Jobim. Jobim’s ‘Batidinha’ and Tetel Di Babuya’s ‘Você’!
Connect Brazil’s Midday Show – January Is Jobim! Friday, January 5, 2024
Presented by Thank You, Tom Jobim on Arkadia Jazz. Read our exclusive review here.
We’re counting down to Antonio Carlos Jobim’s birthday (25th) with fan faves and a song from the album Thank You, Tom Jobim. Jobim’s ‘Passarim’ and Harold Land’s ‘Wave’!
