By: Rachael Jackson Staff Writer
Dr. Tom Bergeron hit the stage with his saxophone in hand and friends at his back. Drummer Art Lillard was the featured artist of the night. Together with six other members of the Brasil Band, they performed an array of soulful bossa novae on the night of Jan. 26.
Dr. Bergeron met Lillard over 40 years ago when he was a member of a band living in a small town.
“We were in the best damned jazz band in Wilton, New Hampshire,” joked Bergeron. “We needed a drummer so we put an ad in the Boston Phoenix. Art answered the call.”
Friends ever since, the chemistry between Dr. Bergeron and Lillard was energetic and fun. The feeling carried throughout the concert as they gave a rousing renditions of works by composers Tom Jobim, Jacob do Bandolim, and others.
The bossa nova is stylistically similar to the samba. A Jobim composition titled “Por Causa de Voce” was an example of a slower bossa nova that spoke of heartbreak (the title translates to “Because of You”). The sorrowful song showed the possible depth of the music.
A brighter song, “Assanhado” composed by do Bandolim, was a departure from the bossa nova. The song had stops that were sudden and seemed uncontrolled, yet it didn’t disrupt the music. On the contrary, it added to it. The funky sound left the audience bobbing and dancing in their seats.
The night was one of light-hearted music played by good friends.
