Guitarist Djalma De Andrade, better known as Bola Sete (1923-1987) (or "Seven Ball," a reference to Brazilian billiards) was both an early exponent of Brazilian music in the United States, and a pioneer of solo acoustic guitar work. Well before the bossa nova boom hit stateside, Sete was living in California, introducing dynamic Latin styles into the various small jazz combos he sat in with. Later his style became more introspective and expressive, mirroring the shift in the acoustic guitar repertoire brought about by players such as John Fahey and William Ackerman. Here's a quick look at his recording career...
Bola Sete "E A Bola Da Vez" (Odeon, 1959)
Swingin' electric guitar jazz instrumentals, with Bola Sete in a mode that is completely unlike his later work. It's also different -- and in many ways superior to -- most of the jazz that came out of Brazil in the bossa nova era. This isn't clattersome or clumsy the way many of the bossa trios sounded, and while the frenetic pace and sharp production tone might not be for everyone, you can't deny that Sete was a skillful and enthusiastic performer, and that his leads are pretty clean and pretty captivating. The other thing to note is that, even though he covers a few of the current early bossa hits ("Maria Ninguem," etc.) it doesn't sound particularly "Brazilian." This is a real jazz record, and his subsequent decision to head north up to the States makes a lot of sense after you hear what he was doing back home when bossa had just hit. (The other thing I find fascinating about this record is how similar the guitar tone sounds to the West African guitar bands of the '50s and '60s... I guess it really had a lot to do with the equipment itself....) Certainly worth checking out.
Bola Sete "Bossa Nova" (Fantasy, 1962)
Bola Sete "Tour De Force" (Fantasy, 1963)
Recently repackaged on a single CD, these two early albums by guitarist Djalma de Andrade (aka Bola Sete) are nothing short of dazzling. While he clearly shared a rhythmic and melodic affinity with his Brazilian contemporaries, Sete was somewhat miscast as a member of the bossa crowd -- already living and working in California at the time of the Getz-Gilberto breakthrough, Bola Sete had already developed his own style, much bouncier and more overtly aligned with the West Coast jazz scene. In his quieter moments, he could easily touch on the cool reserve of the bossa scene, but he also swung with abandon, and reveled in a good, strong backbeat. Both of these albums are recorded in a trio setting, with compact accompaniment -- bass, drums and percussion -- allowing the sprightly and impressive guitar work to come through loud and clear. Highly recommended -- look for the Tour de Force CD for your best buy.
Bola Sete & Vince Guaraldi "Vince & Bola" (Fantasy, 2000)
Another generous twofer, reissuing the albums Vince Guaraldi, Bola Sete & Friends and Live At El Matador (both from 1966)... Pairing Sete up with the playful pop-piano hipster Vince Guaraldi was fairly inspired. Guaraldi is perhaps best known for the sugary instrumental, "Cast Your Fate To The Wind," and for the ever-delightlful tune, "Linus And Lucy," taken from the first "Charlie Brown Christmas" Peanuts TV special. Guaraldi's love of buoyant melody matches Sete's deft bounciness... The first few tracks (from their first album) are fairly breezy fare, as apparently Vince & Bola were still getting their footing as a duo, but by the time of the live tracks on their third album, the sound was moodier and more fully formed... Nice stuff!
Bola Sete/Vince Guaraldi/Paul Winter "Jazz Casual: Jazz On The West" (Koch, 2001)
Live performances from the mellow West Coast Jazz scene in its early '60s heyday... The Paul Winter performances are separate from the Sete/Guaraldi set.
Bola Sete & Vince Guaraldi "From All Sides" (Fantasy, 1964)
Bola Sete "The Solo Guitar Of Bola Sete" (Fantasy, 1965)
Bola Sete "The Incomparable Bola Sete" (Fantasy, 1965)
Fun, playfully breezy instrumentals from a small combo led by Sete's sprightly guitar, buoyed by percussionist Johnny Rae and Paul Horn on flute. It's fun stuff, on the livelier end of the '60s easy listening/pop-jazz spectrum. Recommended! [Note: this album was reissued along with 1966 record, Autentico, on a single CD called Voodoo Village.]
Bola Sete Trio "Autentico!" (Fantasy, 1966)
A markedly soft set, with Bola Sete leading a reserved Brazilian trio through some of his quietest recordings ever, all original tunes which apparently sought to match the subtle elegance of Joao Gilberto's velvety style... Some tracks are so sparing that when I listened to this disc, I kept thinking the album had ended...! [Note: this album was reissued along with 1965 record, The Incomparable Bola Sete, on a single CD called Voodoo Village.]
Bola Sete "At The Monterey Jazz Festival" (Verve, 1966)
A breakthough album for this classically-rooted braz-jazz guitarist who is also known for his work with cool jazz pianist, Vince Guaraldi. This is a pretty bare-bones live performance, with Bola Sete backed only by two percussionists, Sebastiao Neto and Paulinho Da Costa. But for only three guys they sure make a big sound! This is considered a classic album, and judging by the crowd noise in the original recording, the 'Sixties audience definitely dug what these cats were laying down. I actually find it a little too rushed and flashy, with early bossa classics such as Luiz Bonfa's "Manha de Carnaval" thundered through at a breakneck pace... often at the expense (I think) of the melody. Don't let me scare you off, though, particularly if you're into fancy guitar playing.
Bola Sete "Shebaba" (Fantasy, 1969)
Bola Sete "Workin' On A Groovy Thing" (Paramount, 1971)
A pleasant early-'70s album with Bola Sete bopping through bossified instrumental versions of hits by Harry Nilsson, Joni Mitchell, the Beatles, and others. It's a little cheesy, but really mostly pretty good. His guitar work is flawless throughout, and Sete brings a lot more vitality to this EZ album than you might expect. I'm pretty sure this is currently out of print.
Bola Sete "Ocean Memories" (Samba Moon, 1975/1999)
This lavish, independent re-release of Bola Sete's 1975 album, Ocean includes a complete CD's worth of extra, previously unissued material. Solo acoustic guitar seldom sounded so great, as he revisits and refashions classic Brazilian themes and energetically plunges through several flamenco-based tunes. Originally recorded for the Takoma label, these tunes bear the distict stamp of John Fahey's production style: the muscular nature of the Spanish classical style is quietly subverted by gentle cascades of echo and velvet-toned reverb, while in the softer passages, layer upon layer of melody and rhythm are allowed to build up and well over. At times, the contrast between the ethereal bossa nova tunes and the more aggressive flamenco tracks may be a little disconcerting; it's not as relaxing as you might have thought going into it. But it is dazzling and hyponotic -- once you get into the flow of this album, it rewards you handsomely. The "new" material on Disc Two is particularly nice. Recommended!
Bola Sete "Shambhala Moon" (Dancing Cat, 1985/Samba Moon, 2002)
Literally a meditative album, this was recorded as Sete was deeply into yoga and TM... It's similar in style to the Ocean Moon album, though without the more strident, forceful moments. Explorative solo acoustic guitar work, with curlicued variations on flamenco and classical styles -- this was one of the earlier Dancing Cat releases, and is less mellow than than its contemporary albums... Consistently probing and active, Sete's guitar work compels the listener's attention without seeming jarring or overwrought. The Shambhala Moon reissue adds one extra track to the original 1985 release, Jungle Suite. Worth checking out.
Bola Sete "Live At Grace Cathedral" (Samba Moon, 2008)
Bola Sete Trio "Voodoo Village" (Fantasy, 2004)
A reissue CD that combines two old Fantasy albums,1965's The Incomparable Bola Sete, and Autentico, from 1966.]
Top photo courtesy of Anne Sete and Samba Moon Records.