The Aquarelle Guitar Quartet released their new recording Latin Connections on Chandos Records on 24 October 2025.
A collection of works with Latin origins and inspirations, this album features some wonderful arrangements of beloved Latin classics, Clarice Assad’s truly unique interpretation of The Beatles’ timeless ‘Blackbird’ and a brand new work ‘Adios’ especially composed for this project by Sara Dowling.
Latin composers on the disc reads like a who’s who –
Antônio Carlos Jobim, Ismael Ledesma, Hermeto Pascoal, Ariel Ramirez, Luis Bonfà, Chick Corea, Pixinguinha, Benedito Lacerda, Vinicius de Moraes, Egberto Gismonti and Clarice Assad. Members of the Quartet have contributed with multiple arrangements alongside friend and colleague James Girling, Brazilian guitarist Marcus Tardelli and the legendary Roland Dyens.
Sara Dowling features on the album as vocalist, pianist, cellist and composer, adding a wonderful diversity to the sound-world of the Aquarelle Guitar Quartet.
Latin Connections has been some six years in the making! Originally conceived as a collaborative project with multi-instrumentalist, singer, composer and good friend Clarice Assad, global Covid restrictions unfortunately forced the Quartet to postpone the project. By the time restrictions were lifted, Clarice’s family life and work commitments meant she was no longer able to take part in the project. Although disappointed not to be working with Clarice as planned, the Quartet was delighted to form a new and exciting partnership with award-winning jazz singer, cellist, pianist and composer Sara Dowling.
Listen on Spotify
More info from Chandos Records
Track List
Salt of the Earth Andy Scott arr. Mike Baker
Blackbird Lennon/McCartney arr. Clarice Assad
Alfonsina y el Mar Ariel Ramirez arr. Roland Dyens
Bebê Hermeto Pascoal arr. James Girling
Por Causa De Voce Antônio Carlos Jobim
Armando’s Rhumba Chick Corea arr. Vasilis Bessas
Lamento no Morro Antônio Carlos Jobim & Vinicius de Moraes arr. Marcus Tardelli
A Mi Pueblo Ismael Ledesma arr. Mike Baker
Um a Zero Pixinguinha & Benedito Lacerda arr. Mike Baker
Manhã de Carnaval Luis Bonfá arr. Vasilis Bessas
This Happy Madness Antônio Carlos Jobim
Adios Sara Dowling
A Fala da Paixão Egberto Gismonti arr. James Jervis