Clair de Lune

Laurindo Almeida

Almeida plays a fresh version of the famous Debussy melody

The superb Brazilian guitarist Laurindo Almeida fit into his own musical category throughout his life.

Although he worked early on with Stan Kenton and had associations with altoist Bud Shank (in what could be considered the first bossa-nova records) and with the L.A. 4, Almeida was heard at his best taking unaccompanied solos that fell between jazz, classical and Brazilian music.

This rare televised film clip features Almeida playing Debussy’s famous “Clair de lune,” at first unaccompanied and then with bassist Bob Magnusson and possibly drummer Milt Holland in a trio.

After playing the classic melody as a guitar solo, when the bass and drums join in, the tune becomes a Brazilianized interpretation of the song, featuring the trio swinging gently.

-Scott Yanow

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