Alto saxophonist David Valdez leads this lush, lyrical and sophisticated Latin Chamber-Jazz ensemble, performing the compositions of Brazilian born pianist/composer Jasnam Daya Singh, Lee Morgan and Perico Sambeat. Valdez grew up in Santa Cruz, California and over the years has lived and worked in the Bay Area, Boston, New York City and Portland. He recently relocated to Kansas City from the Northwest. Shades of Happiness is his second Latin/Brazilian-Jazz album. Valdez’s first Latin-Jazz CD Oasis, which was released in 2006, received radio airplay in 14 countries. Shades of Happiness is highly orchestrated, relaxed and romantic album that covers a wide range of styles, including: Bolero, Tango, Choro, Afro-Cuban, Boss nova, Latin Waltz, and Modern Jazz. The result is a refined and romantic, yet harmonically complex recording with broad appeal. Jazz aficionados, Classical Chamber music lovers, audiophiles, and serious fans of Brazilian, Afro-Cuban and Argentine styles all will find something to sink their tee