Label:
Source: MVD
Genre: Hard-Bop
GAB's Rating: ★★★★☆
When I was running the Cellar, I was approached by pianist Antonio
Ciacca about presenting Italian Jazz Days at the club to showcase the
musicians and songs from the great American-Italian songbook. I couldn't
make it happen then..
In October 2015 Antonio brought a group to Vancouver: Antonio (the only
100% Italian in the group); bassist Paul Gill; drummer Peter Van
Nostrand; and trumpeter/vocalist Benny Benack III. The lone non-Italian
in the group was yours truly. I call myself an honorary Italian.
We performed one night at the Italian Cultural Centre and then went in
the studio to make Volare, The Italian American Songbook. We had an
absolute ball making music together. The only new name to me in the
group was Benny Benack III. He is among the young musicians living in
New York who display an abundance of maturity in their playing. Benack
III does not sound like a 25 year old. He has so much respect for the
tradition, which is wonderful and unusual to see these days. Drummer
Pete van Nostrand is a mainstay on the New York jazz scene and most
recently can be heard playing with Cécile McLorin Savant. His drumming
always subtly pushes you and has a very nice feel to it. He isn't a
stranger to Cellar Live, having recorded on Steve Einerson's Arrival.
Bassist Paul Gill, who also played on that recording, is the bassist of
choice for numerous New York musicians. It's no secret why. He has a
huge bass sound with that bounce that I love in a bass player. When it's
his time to solo Paul displays the technique of a horn player,
especially when he's using the bow. The leader of this group, Antonio
Ciacca, has been living in America for nine years. He is a confident
bandleader who knows exactly how he wants the music to sound and isn't
afraid to tell you if he's not getting what he wants. That's the way it
should be. Although he is a fantastic soloist, it's Antonio's subtle
arranging and thoughtful accompaniment that really stand out for me on
this recording.
01 Volare
02 Chick's Tune
03 Vancouver Fal
04 Summer Night
05 Joe Avenue
06 Stairway To The Stars
07 Scotty
08 Thad Jones
09 The More I See You
10 Helen's Song
02 Chick's Tune
03 Vancouver Fal
04 Summer Night
05 Joe Avenue
06 Stairway To The Stars
07 Scotty
08 Thad Jones
09 The More I See You
10 Helen's Song
Antonio Ciacca - piano,
Cory Weeds - tenor saxophone,
Benny Benack III - trumpet/vocals,
Paul Gill - bass,
Pete van Nostrand - drums
Cory Weeds - tenor saxophone,
Benny Benack III - trumpet/vocals,
Paul Gill - bass,
Pete van Nostrand - drums
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