De Souza et Cie

Christmas time always puts me in a Nostalgic Mood as I think of the wonderful Christmas gatherings with all my relatives. This pic from 1963 has particularly influenced my piano rendition of Christmas Time is Here, the beautiful ballad composed by Vince Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson in 1965 for the Charlie Brown Christmas Special.

Gilbert O' Sullivan's 70s hit "Alone Again Naturally" is a perennial favourite of mine which reminds me of life's ups and downs. In this version that I recorded as a piano solo with a string ensemble palette I attempt to replicate what I feel about the music. - Boni de Souza

Morning is a time we contemplate and this is what led to a theme which remained in my psyche till I recorded it on the piano. After that the strings, rhythm and bass complements just came naturally.

Prelude To A Kiss is an Ellington favourite of mine because of the beautiful and seemless melody accompanied by a very complex harmonic palette that creates subtle counterpoint in its harmonic and rhythmic content. I just had to record this track as part of my bucket list - (must records of my music journey).❤️🎶

Straight No Chaser is one of our favourites from the Thelonius Monk Songbook. Here's our version in a quartet setting with piano, guitar, upright bass and drums. BDS jAZZTET (c)- Victor Gaskin (Bass) Sanip Ismail (drums) Farid Ali (guitar) Boni de Souza(arranger-pianist)

Our version of the Miles Davis classic All Blues - jUST jAZZ jIVE 2021 recorded "live" in 1 take.

Eau de Vie is the title track written for the original Eau de Vie album released in 2000 by Boni de Souza & his jAZZTET feat Wendy Low Flute, Victor Gaskin Bass with Sanip Ismail on Drums. It has now been recently remastered for 2021 Anniversary Edition. The album would feature other tracks with guests - Richard Jackson, Clinton Carnegie, Tan Chin Boo, Iggy Bong, Niq Osman, Azman Nirwan and Darylly Ervin.

"B is For Bossa" is an original written by Boni de Souza for a 1998 album featuring Wendy Low (flautist)It was remastered in 2021 for the issue of Eau de Vie 21st Anniversary Edition.

Wanna Make you Happy was composed in 1982 whilst I was performing in a few Hotels like the Hyatt and Sheraton SG but only recorded in 2000 as an instrumental on my album Eau de Vie. The present version was recorded with vocalist Richard Jackson and my latest lineup of jUST jAZZ jIVE

"Bossa for u " is something I composed in the late 80's but only recorded it in 1997 on the "Busy doing Something" album featuring Wendy Low on Flute. As you can hear its very Brazilian influenced in terms of structure and harmony, I love Brazilian music..BDS Note: Musicians on this track - Wendy - Flute, BDS - piano, Syed Idros - Bass, Sanip Ismail - drums, Kenny C - acoustic guitar, add percussion by Wendy.

Wanna make you happy is a tune I composed in the early years of my music career (circa 1982) and recorded later as an instrumental in 2000. I only added lyrics much later and in 2020/21 I finally found a singer Richard Jackson who brought life to the lyrics that I wrote earlier.

Shadow dancers was one of the first songs the legendary guitarist George Benson recorded as a featured soloist in 1964. This version recorded 'live" by jUST jAZZ jIVE was arranged by Boni de Souza CooL Music (c)2020

A latin infused tribute to Stevie Wonder's "Isnt She Lovely" arranged by Boni de Souza and produced for "CooL Music" (c) feat CooL Music artistes - Wendy Low Flute, Richard Jackson Vox, Azman Nirwan - Bass, Niq Osman - Congas, Percussion.

Naima was composed as in instrumental by the late great legend of jazz John Coltrane. In this, our version of this jazz classic I have composed some lyrics to fit the melody of this beautiful tune and recorded it with my band jUST jAZZ jIVE (c) - Boni de Souza

Savoy is a jazz dance classic created by the legendary Benny Goodman. We've created a somewhat different rendition by arranger Boni de Souza with a simple lineup of Voice accompanied by Rhodes, Violin, Bass & Drums.

The Beta Blues Band led by Boni de Souza (music arranger-producer cum pianist) comprises Boni de Souza, Richard Jackson, Farid Long, Chin Boo & Iggy Bong. This cover of the Bill Withers classic Ain't No Sunshine was recorded in 1 take at a studio during a session for their upcoming album release “Trippin’ the Blues” -Beta Blues Band to be released on the “CooL Music” label

A fusion of East-West musical influences the track is inspired by the traditional Japanese folk song that my late eldest brother used to sing when I was a young boy. The melody and lyrics remain in my memory 50+ years on...Boni

God Loves You was composed as an inspirational and Finale theme for Catholic SG Radio as well as "Christmas thru the Ages" an Advent Musical Presentation @ Novena Church Singapore held on 20 Dec 2019 Composed by Boni de Souza (based on a musical theme by Bonita de Souza)and performed by vocalists Fiona Jeremiah and Bonita de Souza

Recent World events of a continuing depletion of Planet Earth's natural resources made me recall a movie I saw in the mid 70s called Soylent Green where Earths resources were used up causing chaos everywhere. It inspired me to compose this soundtrack which i named - "It is what it is" In reference to an attitude by most people to whats happening to the Earth's natural resources -From my upcoming Album "Earthscape" by Boni de Souza

In Time was a song i composed for the Tsunami Benefit in 2005

Eau de Vie is the title track that was composed in 2000 for my debut jazz CD of the same name. Recording with me was Victor Gaskin (Bass) who has recorded with Clark Terry, Billy Taylor, Cannoball Adderley and the like. On Flute - Wendy Low -who has recorded with Asian Superstars Jacky Cheung, Gigi Leung, Theresa Teng...On guitar was Farid Ali (ASEAN song contest winner- Berklee Graduate cum Laudate) on Drums - Sanip Ismail (resident percussionist & drummer Mediacorp)