Impressions of Black Orpheus is the legendary album by the Vince Guaraldi Trio, originally released in 1962. The album contains both original compositions and covers of songs from the 1959 film "Black Orpheus." It spawned the hit single "Cast Your Fate To the Wind," which won the 1963 Grammy Award for Best Original Jazz Composition.

 

In the early 60's, the Brazilian import called bossa nova swept through jazz. The music's most prominent composer was Antoinio Carlos Jobim, and his score for the 1959 motion picture "Black Orpheus" was packed with songs adopted by jazz musicians. Vince Guaraldi was one of the earliest to grasp the possibilities of bossanova and recorded four of the "Black Orpheus" pieces in this 1962 album. He also played two standards and two of his own compositions. One of those originals was a pleasantly rhythmic little melody called "Cast Your Fate to the Wind," which cut like a beam of sunshine through the pop music gloom of the day, beat the odds against quality music and illuminated the upper regions of the national sales charts for nearly half a year.

 

This unique and memorable album has been newly released on vinyl and is essential for all jazz and vinyl collectors, as well as fans of the famed 1959 Brazilian film.

 

"Every performance by the trio is exquisite. Monte Budwig on bass and Colin Bailey on drums perfectly complement Guaraldi's delicate touch on the keys. Almost heaven."