Together, these two songs represent my tribute to the late Brazilian jazz pianist Manfredo Fest. The son of a concert pianist, Manfredo blended his own classical training and native Brazilian influences with a passion for bebop. He spent some time as pianist and arranger for Sergio Mendes.
I will never forget the first time I heard Manfredo play. It was at a club called Wise Fools Pub in Chicago in 1975, while I was a music major at DePaul. I was dazzled by his playing and compositions. Among the songs I recall them performing that evening were Fest compositions "That's What She Says" and "Brazilian Dorian Dream" as well as a unique arrangement of Chopin's Fantasie Impromptu. I studied with him that summer and learned a lot about the dorian mode and the pentatonic scale.
"Brazilian Dorian Dream" is the first composition of Manfredo's that I learned. Check out his 1987 recording of it on his CD entitled "Braziliana" (DMP), or, if you can find it, the original 1975 LP simply called "Brazilian Dorian Dream".
When I learned that Manfredo had passed away in 1999, I decided to write a song in his honor, and "Dorian Slumber" was the result. I feel very fortunate to have had Paulinho Garcia join me for this recording. Paulinho's own Brazilian music credits are extensive, most recently including the terrific group "Two for Brazil" featuring the brilliant saxophonist Greg Fishman. His guitar playing has a gentle richness that is perfect for this song and I also love his haunting vocalization of the melody.
When I get a chance, I am going to post some audio clips from piano lessons I had with Manfredo twenty eight years ago to further enrich this page. Manfredo, you were one of my favorite players and teachers...thank you from the bottom of my heart.