Another Outstanding Work by Ella & The Bossa Beat

Image courtesy of latinjazznet.com

Just in case you don’t remember my initial review from March 24, 2021, the daughter/father duo of Ella and Magrue Borges came out in 2022 with a stellar album.

But for those of you new to this blog, I thought would give you a 411.

Ella Borges was born in Miami and raised in Brazil. Her father Magrus hails from Belem do Para, where it is the capital and largest city of the state of Pará in the country’s northern region. It is best known as the gateway to the Amazon River. Similar to Chicago in the United States, Belem do Para has a busy aiport, port, and bus/coach station. They both make Florida their home these days.

Ella sings in four languages. Besides English and, Portuguese, she also sings in French and Spanish. She also plays guitar and the piano on occasion. All of her work is co-produced with her father. She is a graduate of Stetson University with a double degree in International Business and Music. She is also a member of the Recording Academy, so besides former interview subject Laila Biali–we know who to voice our frustrations if and only if our favorite artists don’t win the golden statue.

Just saying.🙄

In the COVID year of 2020, Ella was awarded ‘The Focus Brazil’ Award for Best Female Singer in Orlando.

Her father, Magrus is a drummer, percussionist, producer, and composer who has played and recorded with many famous international artists. From the likes of Astrud Gilberto, Tania Maria, Caetano Veloso, Larry Coryell, even Johnny Alf (one of the fathers of Bossa Nova), and even Shakira, and that barely scratches the surface. Amongst his busy touring schedule, he has carved time to record with Bebel Gilberto, th daughter of the legendary father of Bossa Nova, Joao Gilberto). In 2021, Magrus was nominated for a Grammy together with Bebel for her CD Agora:

Bebel Gilberto Scores Impressive Return With Agora

He has also recorded six original albums, and is also a member of the Recording Academy.

Already in her mid 20’s, Ella presents herself as both having a sophisticated and unique style in her singing.

In an article from January 18, 2023 on the website Orlando Weekly, columnist Kyle Eagle mentioned this about their second album which was released in 2022:

“In the Moment is the kind of record we could imagine Robert Glasper getting into, or the kind that Sting would kill to duet on. This is the deep-cut side of the Quiet Storm genre, romancin’ music with depth and soul and a hint of Sade.

This is music that may very well cross over into the mainstream.”

If only certain smooth jazz stations were on terrestrial radio today…this would make a perfect blend during the afternoon rush hour or to kick off the early evening hours.

Their time spent together during COVID meant they were able to polish their sound just right. In the words of Ella in that same website, she mentioned that, “Ever since we started playing we had this vision of playing something bossa nova and lounge-y, which comes so natural to us. As the years went by it became singular, something classy yet contemporary. We have a home studio and our process was spending a lot of time together and playing the songs over and over again until they showed who we are and until we found that perfect crossover of jazz and pop.”

And what a way to draw the listener in, even though Ella said their initial recording was meant to be a dance record.

(I wonder what Lady Gaga would made of that had it not been for that memorable A Star Is Born remake with Bradley Cooper in 2018, but I digress.)

“Each song has its own little flavor. It was about finding which ingredients go best before and after. This record was played “live” but very edited and polished.”

This is like having the right items to simmer soup on a chilly winter day (French onion soup is one of my favorites when the weather is cold.) This smooth blend also had a short mention by JAZZIZ Magazine on March 5, 2023:

“…they showcase a style that is both soulful and sophisticated, mixing Brazilian music and rhythms with contemporary and soulful melodies, as well as notable jazz harmonies.”

Track 7 is their only Portuguese entry titled “Estrelas No Ceu,” (translated meaning “Stars in The Sky”.) Very lush, yet dreamy–it feels like you are being transformed either to a different place or dreaming about being near that special someone in your life.

Bottom line, Ella definitely belongs with the many hundreds if not thousands of great female voices that came before her, both from decades past and those current artists that I have had the pleasure of covering their albums with hopefully more to come.

Just like their first album My Remedy in 2020, this is a keeper. Definitely gets five stars in my book. And if they keep this up, we as fans would love to see what they both come up down the road.

For more, check out this cool podcast hosted by Jesse Rigato called “In The Key of Latin Jazz” from August 1 from WUCF 89.9 FM, a listener-supported radio station at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida–one of two NPR affiliated stations in the state of Florida.

Similar to both the Rolling Stone Music Now and the New York Times Popcast, there is music interspersed with the interview. It starts around the 5:42 mark, so enjoy and leave a comment if you get some extra time:

For those reading in the United States, I wish everyone to have a happy, healthy, and safe Thanksgiving–since we need to remember that COVID is still lurking as viruses mutate for a living. as we need to still keep in mind that hopefully you got your double vaccinations of the COVID and flu vaccines. Be especially careful being close to anyone who might have flu-like symptoms so no matter how small or large the gathering is, everyone should have the goal in mind to both stay safe and not infect other people.

Once the calendar flips to December, I thought I would take a small break from the usual jazz and give you all an EP that screams party that should be in the rotation alongside great indie artists like Mitski, Mae Muller, Slowdive, and the awesome Taylor Swift 1989 (Taylor’s Version).

See you then.