Album Notes

Michael J. Harris teamed up with the Lucini Brothers to create some exciting original Brazilian influenced music on Bossalingo's premier release. The CD also offers up moving performances by Eric Leifert on bass and Tommy Barrick on drums who accompany Harris on a satisfying collection of Jazz standards. Bossalingo started in 1998 at a small club in DC near Adams Morgan. The music became a direct reflection of the diversity within the immediate musical community there. Brazilian, Cuban, Puerto Rican, and many Jazz players would come and jam with Bossalingo late into the night. Soon it became known as the place people could go and let loose on a Monday night, dancing and listening to inspired music. The band evolved into more of a family as each musician would take the music to a slightly different direction. Latin, African, and Brazilian elements soon merged and the harmonic language of Jazz was the glue that held it all together and allowed us to cross all boundaries. Jazz is truly a language that transcends all boundaries and its an amazing American legacy that musicians pass on through performing with each other and collaborating. Jazz is also a language that informs every style of music including pop, Gospel, rock, and classical. Its everywhere and influences so much. The blues came right along with Jazz and it is the soul of reflection and irony which also cuts across all boundaries of geography or ethnicity. Bossalingo is the direct result of our uniquely American heritage, born in Washington DC and thriving wherever it is planted. In Harris' words, "Here is freedom & liberty under God, captured in musical form. We play for you from the heart, in the spirit of pure giving. We offer you our honest journey through music, together as one, Juntos. Bless you!"