As romance goes, the cross connection couldn’t be more appropriate. Vocalist Carmen Cuesta celebrates bossa nova, that elegant blend of Brazilian song and North American jazz. Mi Bossa Nova (Tweety Records, 2011) is a collection of 11 titles, seven of them written by renowned Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim.

Cuesta’s core accompanists are pianist Matt King, drummer Brian Dunne , percussionist David Charles and her husband, guitarist Chuck Loeb, who also plays keyboards and, on selected tracks, bass. Bassist Christian Diener appears on several songs.

“Jobim” is Cuesta’s tribute to the artist whose music provides the deepest inspiration for Cuesta. Cuesta’s blends well with the flutes. The lyrics provide hints of Jobim’s great songwriting, mentioning locations like Copacabana, Ipanema and Corcovado, as well as the “waters of March.” The song features flutists David Mann, Christina Loeb and Lizzy Loeb.

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