Jardim Abandonado

‘Jardim Abandonado’ (Abandoned Garden), is the latest release for guitar-playing duo of Sergio and Odair Assad in which they offer a seamlessly programmed collection of tracks culled from nearly a decade of live performances.

The Assad brothers, who’ve played together for more than 40 years, have been acclaimed by critics around the world for the extraordinary range of their repertoire, for Sergio’s innovative arrangements and transcriptions, and for the unique nature of the brothers’ musical interplay.

The title track on ‘Jardim Abandonado’ comes from a piece by fellow Brazilian native Antonio Carlos Jobim. They also perform transcriptions of works by early 20th century French composer Darius Milhaud and Claude Debussy.

Perhaps most remarkable of all is the Assads’ interpretation of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody In Blue,” a concert favorite. The cosmopolitan spirit and jazz-age swing of Gershwin’s masterpiece are gracefully evoked in the duo’s ingenious arrangement.

The Assads have cultivated an impressive following among classical music, jazz and world music listeners through such Nonesuch releases as the Latin Grammy Award-Winning Sergio and Odair Assad Play Piazzolla (2001) and Sergio & Odair Assad (2000).