Marcos Valle is a big deal. Bossa nova fans know his songs, but if you don't, he's a direct link to Rio's Irving Berlins and Cole Porters. He was close friends with Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joao Gilberto and so many other bossa nova originals in the mid-1960s. At the very least, I'm sure you know Summer Samba (So Nice) and The Face I Love. [Above, from left, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Marcos Valle in 1964]
Here's Jack Jones singing the latter...
Starting next Tuesday, Marcos will be making a rare five-night appearance in New York with singer Stacey Kent at Birdland to celebrate his 50+ years in the music business. Which means Marcos and Stacey along with Jim Tomlinson, Stacey's husband and tenor saxophonist, and Marcos' band from Brazil will be performing Marcos' best-known songs. It's going to be some week. For more about Marcos, you can read my JazzWax interview with him here. [Above, Marcos Valle and Stacey Kent in front of the Blue Note in Tokyo]
Yesterday, I interviewed Stacey Kent on her love for the bossa nova and Marcos's music as well as their new album—Ao Vivo (Sony). Today, I interview Marcos...
JazzWax: So where were you exactly when you first heard Stacey Kent sing?
Marcos Valle: In my car in 2010. I was in Rio driving home with my wife, Patricia. We were in heavy traffic in the Ipanema section when this beautiful voice came on the radio singing in French. Patricia and I loved the song but had no idea who was singing. At the end, the announcer said it was Stacey singing a song from her album, Raconte-Moi. When I arrived home an hour later, I downloaded the album.
JW: How did you two finally meet?
MV: Over the years, I recorded 12 albums for EMI, and even though I'm not under contract to the label now, I'm still close with executives there. In 2011, Ricardo Garcia, an EMI producer, decided to put us together for a concert celebrating the 80th anniversary of the completion of Christ the Redeemer, the famous statue that stands above Rio with outstretched arms. Ricardo had no idea that I was already a fan of Stacey and that she was a fan of my music. A coincidence? Who knows. Either way, it was a stroke of good fortune. We met for the first time when Stacey and her husband Jim Tomlinson came over to my house in Rio to rehearse a night before the concert.
JW: After the concert, you two went on tour. How did that come together?
MV: Following our rehearsal and concert, Stacey and Jim became close friends. A year later, I was invited to perform at the Miranda Club in Rio with a guest performer of my choosing. Patricia [above] and I agreed that Stacey would be perfect. So we contacted her and Jim, and fortunately they were available. Then Patricia and I decided to add more shows in São Paulo, Ceará, Brasilia and Rio while they were here. The dates went over very well.
JW: How did you two decide what to sing on the tour?
MV: Stacey felt strongly that our repertoire should be just my songs. So we started working on those. I sent Stacey and Jim many songs, some with English lyrics. Stacey sent me some suggestions. Little by little we built a list. I had a song called La Petite Valse that I had recorded instrumentally. I thought Stacey might consider singing it with French lyrics. I sent her the song, and she loved it. She put me in touch with Bernie Beaupère, who had written for her before. He went ahead and wrote beautiful French words to my melody. I also had a brand new song called Drift Away that had English lyrics by my friend Peter Hall. Little by little, the list came together.
JW: If the late singer Sylvia Telles had the sound of the beach in late afternoon, how would you describe Stacey’s sound with you in Rio terms?
MV: Well, Stacey's voice is an early, breezy Rio morning that holds the promise of peace, love and sensuality. What else do you need to start your day? [Above, from left, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Sylvia Telles and Marcos Valle in 1964]
JW: What did you have to keep in mind about Stacey’s voice as you wrote the arrangements for the new album?
MV: Her timber and style. The whole idea for the album came to me in 2012 as I was starting to think about a concept for an album to be released in 2013 to celebrate the 50th year of my career. Then, very naturally, my close musical relationship with Stacey gave me the answer—a Marcos and Stacey duet album. [Above, Stacey Kent]
JW: Are you bringing the same band as the one on the album to New York?
MV: Yes. We also will be taping the performances for a DVD. We've been touring worldwide and started taping in Japan. We'll complete it in New York. Birdland is a fantastic, tradicional club where Stacey and I have perfomed separately many times in the past. Now we will be together playng and recording a DVD. It's very exciting. [Above, Stacey Kent and Marcos Valle in Rio]
JW: What’s the most difficult aspect of your songs for a singer?
MV: A singer must always have a deep understanding of any song and its composer. In my case, the singer must really love my music before recording it. If the singer has this knowledge and feeling, he or she will bring something new that will add a fresh dimension and coloration. Stacey really understands me and my origianl intent, which has made the new album and tour a joy. People who come to Birdland are really going to hear these songs as they were meant to be.
JazzWax notes: For more information about Stacey Kent and Marcos Valle's Birdland gig next week in New York, go here. It's being produced by the great Pat Philips and Ettore Stratta. See you there!
JazzWax tracks: You'll find Stacey Kent and Marcos Valle's new ablum Ao Vivo here.
JazzWax clips: Here's Marcos and Stacey from their new album...
Here's Sarah Vaughan singing Marcos' If You Went Away...
