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San Francisco

Liner Notes

"San Francisco" is an ode to 3 outstanding Brazilian songwriters who happen to have their first names in common: Francisco "Chico" Buarque de Hollanda, Francis Hime, and Francisco "Chico" Pinheiro.

One of the greatest treasures of Brazil is the songwriter, singer novelist and playwright Francisco Buarque de Hollanda, better known as Chico Buarque. He was chosen as ÒBrazil's Musician of the CenturyÓ by the prominent weekly news magazine 'Isto E' (Music legends like Tom Jobim, came in second, Milton Nascimento, Jo‹o Gilberto, Caetano Veloso, and Gilberto Gil were chosen among the top 10).

Buarque has been a major influence on the Brazilian music scene since the mid 1960's. His catalogue contains more then 300 songs, many of which were top 10 hits in Brazil in the past 4 decades.

His music is extremely popular in all of the Latin world. His hits have been adapted into Spanish and Italian and some even into French.

The inspiration for "San Francisco" was sparked by my admiration for Chico Buarque and another one of my favorites, the great composer /pianist Francis Hime, who frequently collaborated with Buarque.

It was also ignited by a much more recent discovery, a super talented guitarist and composer of my generation who I am sure we will hear more of in the future: Chico PINHEIRO.

Our paths crossed briefly seven years ago when I performed at the Heineken Jazz Festival in Saõ Paulo, Brazil, where he attended the concert. Six years later, he gave his latest CD to my husband (who was on tour in Brazil) with the prophetic words: "I think your wife might enjoy this…" That turned out to be a huge understatement;

 I fell in love with his music upon first listening! In Brazil he is being hailed as "one of the successors of Jobim" in the press, and "one of the most exciting young Brazilian composers to arise on the scene in decades."

I am proud to feature him on some of his gorgeous compositions here..

Fleurine 2007