Matt Finley

Brazilian Wish showcases thirteen of the hippest Brazilian jazz performers in the world. Silky smooth grooves are expertly crafted and easy on the soul. The title track is soft and sensual, cool and breezy. Not the hot, sweaty, dirty dancing associated with the music of Carnival. No rough edges anywhere, the sounds are effortlessly delivered. Glossy, urban sophistication is energized by precision interplay between musicians. This disc never takes its eyes off its roots, and is a hybrid of Brazilian sonic structures under sleek, melodic American style jazz. - J. Spica, WVKR Radio, Poughkeepsie, New York and The Chronogram Magazine, New Paltz

Hey... se amate la dolcezza dei suoni e della musica brasiliana questo è un CD veramente da non perdere!!!!! Difficile da descrivere... solo ascoltandolo si riesce a capire!!!! CD molto apprezzato anche in Italia già al TOP degli ascolti!!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! Ciao Ciao Pietro - Pietro by Radiovinilemania

Retired professor, now full-time musician and trumpeter/flugelhornist, Matt Finley, the front man for Rio JAZZ who hails from the Poughkeepsie/Kingston area, has added to his musical wares, Brazilian Wish. Finley must have serious musical credentials to attract the likes of jazz guitarist extraordinare Romero Lubambo, venturesome pianist Warren Bernhardt, bassist Mark Egan of Pat Metheny and Sting fame, Joel Rosenblatt, the rhythm master for Spyro Gyra for fourteen years, and a host of other bona fide musicians.
- Randy Treece, www.albanyjazz.com

Trumpeter Matt Finley’s Brazilian Wish, with its jazz sambas and bossa novas, is an easy-on-the-ears treat and nice background for lazy lakeside afternoons—especially “Calm Waters,” which he wrote at Lake George. Finley’s sound is velvety and his band, a combo of pros, makes his compositions flourish and flow (Kingsmill Music, 518-398-7376, www.mattfinley.com). – Annie Stoltie, Senior Editor - Adirondack Life Magazine

"Brazilian Wish" has a great energy: very warm, bright and relaxed. The nine original tracks by trumpeter and flugelhorn player Matt Finley feature arrangements by Jon Werking that sparkle and pop, with a propelling rhythmic infrastructure.

The music is inspired and not pedantic; ideas are fully developed without overstatement. The album is nicely paced, and the performances are top-notch. Finley's playing is fluid and melodic, with satisfying nuance, and he has assembled some of the finest jazz artists around, including guitarists Romero Lubambo and Jeff Ciampa, bassist Mark Egan, keyboardists Warren Bernhardt and Werking, and former Spyro Gyra drummer Joel Rosenblatt, who plays drums on six of the nine tracks.

The CD's opener, "Father's Day," is hip and assertive, more straight-ahead jazz than the others. The title track follows, a dusky little number reminiscent of Sergio Mendes and Antonio Carlos Jobim.

Other standouts include "Childhood Home," a melodic showcase for the trumpet, with rhythmic counterpoint creating additional interest. "So Close" charges out of the gate and keeps up the pace throughout busy solo sections. The percussion break is wisely kept short and sweet, although it would lend itself well to extension in a concert setting. "Another Year" is sleepy and sensuous, nicely syncopated but more straightforward than some of the CD's other offerings.

"Calm Waters," the longest song on the disc, lives up to its name at first, with a smooth-as-silk melody line that only hints at what's ahead. A double-time change in the middle indicates rougher waters, with an expressive piano solo by Bernhardt, before calmness is restored in the final third of the piece. "Softly Speaking," the wistful and introspective closing track, conveys the musical equivalent of the tropical sunset pictured on the CD's back cover.

Kate Goldsmith is the editorial director of specialty publications at Taconic Press, Millbrook, New York. Review reprinted courtesy of Taconic Press. - Kate Goldsmith, Taconic Press, Millbrook, New York

"Your CD is great!" - Rachelle Bivins (Publisher, ABYSSJazz magazine)

Playing is top notch. Your playing, as well as that of the cast of fine players with you, certainly is top notch - best of luck... Russ Davis (Program Director) - Beyond Jazz - XM Satellite Radio

Matt Finley has produced a very polished product. As a world-class trumpeter, Matt holds his own with some renowned jazz performers featured on this CD. Brazilian Wish is a beautiful showcase of his skill as a composer and performer. Matt's execution is virtually flawless; he smokes on every tune. I greatly enjoyed listening to Brazilian Wish, and will return to it often. - Frank Villafañe (Reviewer for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET)

"Brazilian Wish", the debut recording by trumpeter and flugelhornist Matt Finley is an independent release of a quality to rival any of the big labels. A fantastic production, with top-notch accompanists, great arrangements, well written, catchy Latin flavoured songs – all composed by Mr. Finley and performed in a high energy joyful spirit that flows from the opening track and throughout the nine songs that make up this truly fine first effort. The opening track “Father’s Day” begins in a funky manner, think of the Tower of Power horn section. The song bridges to a catchy melody that repeats itself while the soloists provide some enchanting riffs, Matt Finley displays a clear, smooth tone on the first solo. Jeff Ciampa on electric guitar glides over the rhythm with some fine riffs and opens the door for Dave Mann on soprano sax who communicates with fluid passionate lines. The next song, the title track “Brazilian Wish” takes it down a notch and plays in a Bossa groove with Mr. Finley producing a warm mellow tone on flugelhorn. Warren Bernhardt leads the rhythm section of Jeff Siegel (drums) and Dave Finck (acoustic bass) with gorgeous piano playing, adding breaks of delight to compliment the gifted horn playing of Matt Finley. “So Close” is one of the highlight tunes, featuring wonderful horn arrangements and exciting solos by guitarist Romero Lubambo, trumpeter Matt Finley and percussionist Tomas Martin Lopez. Drummer, Joel Rosenblatt and electric bassist Mark Egan drive the tune forward with ferocious energy and a spirit that virtually leaps from the speakers. The CD Brazilian Wish maintains the theme of refined Brazilian music from beginning to end, with influences across the map - that make for an interesting blend. The arranger and producer, Jon Werking has done a superb job with this recording. Mr. Werking also plays piano and keyboards on some of the tracks. A smooth listening pleasure of jazz-flavoured Latin grooves for all those who require some spirit, some soul and some hot dance music - check out Matt Finley’s Brazilian Wish, very nice. - Paul J. Youngman