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Here is something from the ‘refreshing surprise' department. Com Você, which is built around the vocal work of Margret Grebowicz is based on a revisiting of the Bossa Nova repertoire from a rather unique perspective. Although of Polish extraction, Grebowicz focuses on Brazilian music, singing almost exclusively in Portuguese. Although she is probably tired of hearing this, her a delivery and diction bear at least a superficial resemblance to Astrud Gilberto, whose recordings with Stan Getz and her husband João Gilberto did a lot to popularize the Bossa Nova in the 1960s. On closer listening the resemblance breaks down, however. Scott Yanow has it about right when writes that "Ms. Grebowicz has a soft sensuous sound without sounding as vulnerable as Astrud while [Stan] Killian [on sax] is a bit more muscular and modern than Getz."
Far from evoking the past, in fact, these interpretations have a very contemporary feel, due mainly to the fine solo work... Overall it is remarkable how these seemingly diverse elements fit together.
As for the material, there is full measure of Jobim, including "O Grande Amor," which I had not heard since Getz' Sweet Rain album until it appeared on flutist Bill McBirnie's recent offering. There are some less well-known Brazilian pieces such as Marcos Valle's "Samba de Verão" and the title piece. And as a change of pace, Grebowicz throws in her gentle deconstruction of Gershwin's "S'wonderful." It all works, as the singer bends each piece to her unique styling, hands it off to the various soloists, and then reclaims it for a final rendering.... For lovers of both jazz and Brazilian music, this is something fresh that deserves a hearing.
- jazzreview.com
Discography
"Candeias" 2007 Nocturne Records
We have a new album coming out next March on Sunnyside Records, title TBA
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"Pure", "wistful", "inviting"... This is how All About Jazz New York describes the sound of self-taught vocalist Margret Grebowicz of the group Com Você. The name means “with you” and, as Cadence magazine writes, “Com Você is with us from start to finish as they pursue dreamy landscapes and fill each one with rhythms that sashay eloquently… Bossa nova and samba have been around for quite some time; yet, this ensemble delivers each piece with a freshness that proves memorable.” The repertoire is heavy with Brazilian music, classic and contemporary, but also ventures into lush wordless standards, Polish poetic song, and sweet, lyrical perspectives on contemporary songwriting. Peter Westbrook writes in jazzreview.com: “Overall it is remarkable how these seemingly diverse elements fit together…. It all works, as the singer bends each piece to her unique styling, hands it off to the various soloists, and then reclaims it for a final rendering…. For lovers of both jazz and Brazilian music, this is something fresh that deserves a hearing.”
Originally based in Texas, Com Você performed extensively in Houston, Austin, and San Antonio, including the state’s major jazz festivals. They debuted in San Francisco and Los Angeles as the opening band for acclaimed Brazilian singer/songwriter Zé Renato on his first US tour. Today Margret is based in New York City and performs on the first Friday of every month at the legendary 55 Bar in Manhattan.
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