[Harp-L] RE: Dumee and Dijkgraaf Quinteto

[Wim Dijkgraaf <w.dijkgraaf@xxxxxx>]

Wow Richard,
Nossa (PT)... what great words about my latest little "child" ... (because in the end that's how a product like this feels like a bit). I'm so glad that you experienced the essence of this album ... emotion and personality. It's not an album with the perfect sound, it's not music that has been well rehearsed before recording, it's not an album with compositions in a specific style.
What it is for me is a great collection of compositions by Jan Dumee (former guitar player of the rock group Focus) that are so great to play with harmonica as one of the lead instruments. It's also an album with the right selection of Brazilian musicians who are not only virtuosos but really know how to play with their soul! And an incredible feeling among all people during the 3 days recording sessions. Non of the musicians (including me) ever had played this music before. I had to write down the lead sheets because Jan hadn't been able to prepare anything. So we rehearsed just enough in the studio and recorded 3 takes at most of every track. Everything finished in 3 days only!
Working this way with these people was just amazing ... the 3 most beautiful days in my life!
And now we share the pre-master results to everyone at http://www.dumeedijkgraaf.com/brazilian-jazz-music-en/album/ . There you can listen to all 9 tracks (full length) ... and if you like what you hear, please leave a short message at our "review" section of the same website at: http://www.dumeedijkgraaf.com/brazilian-jazz-music-en/fan-reviews/ . The more positive reviews, the better because it helps a lot in getting this group on stage and getting the CD in the stores.
Warm regards,
Wim

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I'm listening as I write this to a collection of pre-commercial release recordings by the Dumee and Dijkgraaf Quinteto, based in Brazil. The harmonica player is Wim Dijkgraaf, who also runs the Effortless Harmonica blog that you can find in my list of links at http://hunterharp.com.

This is amazing music, quintessential Brazilian jazz. Wimâs playing has a lot of Toots in it, but the lines are all his own. The music overwhelms your emotions; so much beauty and elegant power. It's one of the best harmonica recordings I've ever heard, and any fan of Brazilian jazz would be glad to have it in their collection.

Commercial release should be soon.  In the meantime, you can follow the band at:
http://www.dumeedijkgraaf.com/.  Worth the trip.

regards, Richard Hunter