Boukas-Fuller Duo

Richard Boukas and Jeff Fuller in featured performance at 9th Note in Stamford, CT

Jeff Fuller

JEFF FULLER is one of the most ubiquitous professional bassists on the Jazz, Brazilian and Afro-Cuban music scenes in the greater New York area. Based in New Haven, CT, he has worked with Latin music luminaries Paquito d'Rivera, Arturo Sandoval and Hilton Ruiz to jazz legends Dizzy Gillespie, Gerry Mulligan and Clark Terry. He is co-leader of Sambeleza with guitarist Joe Carter and vocalist Isabella Mendes (note 2015 release "Sambeleza Live"), leader of his own Trio (2015 release "The Call From Within" featuring his original compositions). A noted composer for both jazz and chamber music ensembles, Fuller is a dedicated educator, teaching at ACES Educational Center for the Arts (New Haven's arts magnet high school) and other educational institutions. For more info about Jeff and his work, visit his website.

The Duo's music features a wide variety of classics from the Brazilian songbook including Jobim, Johnny Alf, Chico Buarque, Edu Lobo, Djavan; acoustic guitar legends Luiz Bonfá, Rafael Rabello, Guinga and Sebastião Tapajós; and a special concentration on the music from Minas Gerais– featuring composers Milton Nascimento, Toninho Horta and Sérgio Santos. Boukas balances out instrumental renditions with his adept vocals, singing in the original Portuguese.

Boukas and Fuller hooked up by chance at a 2014 summer concert in Vermont, and their creative affinity was immediate and compelling. "Jeff is one of the most consummate bassists and musicians with whom I have ever had the pleasure of collaborating", says Boukas. "Playing Brazilian Duo is highly demanding of both players and requires a rock-solid sense of time yet played with an elusive swing and elasticity. "Jeff lays down such a deep groove that you can actually HEAR the drummer in his playing and feel like you are playing Trio. He is a virtuosic soloist and ideal duo partner with his keen, agile interaction and willingness to take bold rhythmic risks– which allows our music making to achieve a state of perpetual conversation and new adventures each time we play a given piece."

Their most recent performance was at Stamford's newest jazz venue, The 9th Note.

The audio player to the right features twelve recordings from that appearance.

BOOKINGS
PRIVATE LESSONS