Natalie Cressman and Ian Faquini Unveil Their Vibrant Ode GUINGA, Featuring the Titular Brazilian Artist and Composer – out April 12, 2024 via GroundUP Listen to the first single, “Lavagem de Conceição”, featuring Guinga, here. Traveling through the lush paradise of Brazilian music, there are few more scenic byways than música popular brasileira – the … Read More
Masterful Musical Duo Natalie Cressman and Ian Faquini Uncover New Shades on AUBURN WHISPER due out April 15, 2022 via GroundUP! Watch the video for “Afoxé Pra Oxum” here Auburn Whisper—the latest album from trombonist, singer, and songwriter Natalie Cressman and guitarist, composer, and vocalist Ian Faquini—not only serves as a testament to the couple’s … Read More
by Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News Natalie Cressman and Ian Faquini, “Setting Rays of Summer” (Cressman Music): San Francisco-reared New York trombonist/vocalist Natalie Cressman and Brazilian-born Berkeley guitarist/composer Ian Faquini sound more like a quartet then a duo on this ravishing set of originals songs inspired by Brazil’s omnivorously cosmopolitan popular music tradition.
By Andrew Gilbert, East Bay Express Setting Rays of Summer At its best MPB (musica popular brasileira) is an inordinately gorgeous tradition that’s both deeply rooted and expansively cosmopolitan. It might seem strange that one of the year’s best MPB albums is a Bay Area production, but the extraordinary duo of San Francisco-reared trombonist/vocalist Natalie … Read More
By: Jerome Wilson, All About Jazz This is a duo recording in the true sense because the only sounds on this disc come from the trombone and voice of Natalie Cressman and the guitar and voice of Ian Faquini. The resulting blend carries a powerful intimacy in the sound of their harmonized voices sailing over supple acoustic guitar … Read More
By: Andrew Gilbert, Jazztimes Some albums arrive without precedent, a world unto themselves. While bringing to mind the sophisticated, jazz-infused post-Tropicalia songs of Brazilian composers like Guinga, Milton Nascimento, and Marcos Valle, Natalie Cressman and Ian Faquini’s unusual duo album Setting Rays of Summer sounds as fresh and revivifying as a clear mountain stream. A guitarist, vocalist, … Read More
Chris Walker, L.A Jazz Scene Duet Natalie Cressman-trombone/vocals and Ian Faquini guitar/vocals based in New York with roots in the San Francisco Bay Area showcased songs from their recently released Setting Rays of Summer CD at the downtown LA adjacent Mayfair Hotel. The venue with a bar about 15 feet from the performance area provided a noisy backdrop … Read More
By: George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly Here’s a gorgeous and sensuous album by the team of Natalie Cressman and Ian Faquini. Cressman sings in both English and soft Portuguese, melding her warm trombone with Faquini’s gracious acoustic guitar, who also adds vocals for harmony and a couple leads. The result is an intimate and gently … Read More
Scott Bernstein, JamBase Trombonist/vocalist Natalie Cressman and guitarist/vocalist Ian Faquini played a gorgeous set of music focused on material from the recently released studio album Setting Rays Of Summer at New York City’s Rockwood Music Hall on Monday night. Cressman and Faquini showed off their versatility and masterful musicianship throughout the performance. Natalie and Faquini played music in various Brazilian styles … Read More
Dee Dee McNeil, Musical Memoirs Blog This is a duo whose music projects a folk/world music attitude and beauty. Ian Faquini and Natalie Cressman each have lovely voices that sound delightful in solo settings and mesh warmly, like sunshine sparkling on calm seas, when they harmonize. Their music rolls over us in gentle waves. All the … Read More
