Republic of Jazz: Nov 9, 2018

Friday, November 9, 2018

Stefano Cantini | Romano Zuffi - Stress da Brass (ALFA MUSIC November 9, 2018)

Stress da Brass, il terzo Album della collana prodotta da Romano Zuffi per AlfaMusic (Attuttogasss – Attuttallaria –Stress da Brass), vede la collaborazione di moltissimi musicisti di assoluto livello internazionale, tutti uniti da un‘amicizia personale, che si concretizza in un disco ”felice” e senza vincoli di generi o etichette storico musicali.

Gli arrangiamenti di Stefano Cocco Cantini lasciano spazio alla libertà di esecuzione di tutti, in una sorta di gioco di colori sempre diversi.

Prestigiosa tra gli special guests la partecipazione di Alex Ligertwood (in “Try Another Time”) storica voce solista di Carlos Santana.

I testi sono di Jenifer Jackson.

Il disco è dedicato al grande pittore e scultore Giampaolo Talani (1955-2018) autore di tutti i dipinti che caratterizzano le cover della collana discografica.

Questo il prestigioso casting di “Stress da Brass”:

Stefano Cocco Cantini sassofoni, piano, piano elettrico, arrangiamenti

Romano Zuffi tastiere, piano, piano elettrico, synth

Ares Tavolazzi basso elettrico - contrabbasso

Alfredo Golino batteria

Giulio Stracciati chitarra elettrica

Francesco Sozzi chitarra elettrica (traccia 7)

Leonardo Marcucci basso elettrico (traccia 1) / chitarra acustica (traccia 2)

Andrea Lagi tromba, flicorno

Giulia Bernardini viola

Valentina Garofoli violino, violoncello

Special guests:

Alex Ligertwood Voce solista in “Try Another Time”

Giulia Fasolino Voce solista in “On my own”

Jole Canelli Voce solista in “Drifting”

Alice Bertoncini, Valentina Toni, Gianni Nepi cori

1. Try another time

2. Se sfebbrasse (starebbe meglio)

3. Stress da Brass

4. On my own

5. Strepto “Cocco”

6. Brasserie

7. Quasi Luglio

8. Stiamo calmi

9. Drifting

Prodotto da Romano Zuffi per AlfaMusic Label&Publishing

Produzione artistica Stefano Cantini

Dipinto di copertina Giampaolo Talani

Coorinamento di produzione Fabrizio Salvatore (AlfaMusic)

Beppe Scardino - BS10 Live in Pisa (AUAND RECORDS November 9, 2018)

Expansion and unusual combinations in a nutshell

Beppe Scardino’s BS10 out in November on Auand Records

In his new album Italian sax player and composer leads a 10 piece ensemble

Italian sax player and composer Beppe Scardino aims at recapping his career in his new album “BS10 - Live in Pisa” – in doing so, he mobilizes many colleagues to expand the soundscape as much as possible. Out in November on Auand Records, this challenging live recording is a summary of his artistic path, Scardino says: «I was looking for a summary of what I experienced over the years, ranging from rock to jazz. At the same time, I aimed at creating a contrast between acoustic and electric/electronic. The opportunity to have six brass instruments was exciting. I was ready to write extensively, while finding enough room for each musician: putting the collective improvisation first, and having solos for everyone.»

A generous dose of writing couldn’t be enough: a key element of the album is the inspiration and technique of such colleagues as Dan Kinzelman (tenor sax, bass clarinet), Piero Bittolo Bon (alto sax, bass clarinet), Mirko Cisilino (trumpet), Mirco Rubegni (trumpet), Glauco Benedetti (tuba), Gabrio Baldacci (guitar), Simone Graziano (Fender Rhodes, synth), Gabriele Evangelista (double bass) e Daniele Paoletti (drums, electric drums, effects), besides baritone sax and bass clarinet played by Beppe Scardino himself, who composed the entire track list. All the ensemble needed was a good chance which came with Francesco Mariotti (Pisa Jazz Festival) – he believed in the project and supported it, having their show in Pisa recorded live in 2017.

The result is an extremely varied music: orchestra-like parts and wall of sounds, swing moments and tributes to both music and sports masters. And even when the sound becomes dense and thick, it’s still far from free. «I wrote some compositions for this band, and added some previously unreleased material from the last couple years. Even if it might sound otherwise, every track has a guideline, a core idea to improvise around: it could be chord changes, riffs or even one note – it’s the case of the D flat, the lowest note for a baritone sax, that lies underneath “Tre”.»

The opening track “Agosto14” highlights the chromatic range of the 10 piece ensemble, followed by the easygoing “One For KD” and what could be considered the darkest track in the album, “Tre”.

«There are unusual instrument combinations that I’ve been longing to experiment for years: generally speaking, an electroacoustic/electronic rhythm section as opposed to a large brass section. And also two trumpets plus tuba, or the three bass clarinets, or even electronic drums and brass. I pretended I was writing for sci-fi movies (who didn’t?) and I think this can be heard. But I’m also quite proud of how another track turned out: it’s dedicated to the NBA player Kevin Durant. I imagined him dribbling among his opponents, and thought about the rhythm created by the basketball bouncing on the floor.

It’s fast and quite tricky, possibly the most difficult track to play – we had a tough nut to crack!» In the end, he adds, «like it or not, I’m happy this music represents me.»

Come quando si spargono tutti gli appunti sul tavolo prima di tirare le somme di un lavoro intenso, Beppe Scardino ha rovesciato nel suo nuovo disco “BS10 - Live in Pisa” gli elementi importanti di questi anni di carriera, circondandosi di un alto numero di fidati colleghi che gli permettesse di estendere al massimo lo spazio sonoro a disposizione. Il nuovo album, in uscita a novembre per Auand Records, è un progetto ambizioso, perché attraverso l’espansione il sassofonista punta in realtà a una sintesi, come spiega lui stesso: «Cercavo una sintesi di quello che mi è passato addosso negli anni, dal rock al jazz. Ma anche un’antitesi tra acustico ed elettrico/elettronico. Mi esaltava l’idea delle possibilità di sei fiati. Volevo scrivere molto, dando comunque spazio ai musicisti: privilegiare i momenti di improvvisazione collettiva e lasciare anche momenti solistici per tutti».

Per un’impresa come questa non avrebbe potuto essere sufficiente una generosa dose di scrittura: occorrevano anche tutto l’estro e la tecnica di colleghi come Dan Kinzelmann (sax tenore, clarinetto basso), Piero Bittolo Bon (sax alto, clarinetto basso), Mirko Cisilino (tromba), Mirco Rubegni (tromba), Glauco Benedetti (tuba), Gabrio Baldacci (chitarra), Simone Graziano (Fender Rhodes, synth), Gabriele Evangelista (contrabbasso) e Daniele Paoletti (batteria e batteria elettronica, effetti), oltre ovviamente al sax baritono e al clarinetto basso di Beppe Scardino, che ha firmato tutte le composizioni. Mancava solo un’occasione, arrivata grazie a Francesco Mariotti di Pisa Jazz, che ha creduto nel progetto e offerto il suo sostegno per la realizzazione dell’album, registrato dal vivo durante il festival toscano nel 2017.

Il risultato è una pasta sonora estremamente varia: parti quasi orchestrali e muri di suono, scatti rumoristici e momenti swinganti, tributi ideali a giganti musicali e sportivi, ma sempre con una linea guida: anche quando il magma sonoro si fa più denso, rimane comunque distante dal free. «Ho composto alcuni brani appositamente per questo gruppo, altri erano brani inediti degli ultimi due o tre anni. Anche se potrebbe non sembrare – aggiunge Scardino – tutti i pezzi hanno una traccia, un’idea su cui improvvisare: ci sono giri armonici, riff, o anche solo una nota (per esempio il re bemolle, la nota più bassa del sax baritono, che giace per tutta la durata di “Tre”). ».

Lo spettro cromatico del tentetto viene fuori già ampiamente nella traccia di apertura, “Agosto14”, passa per la scanzonata “One For KD” e attraversa “Tre”, forse il brano più dark del progetto. «Ci sono alcune combinazioni strumentali che volevo da tempo provare: in generale una sezione ritmica elettroacustica/elettronica contrapposta a un’ampia sezione fiati.

Ma anche la doppia tromba e la tuba, i tre clarinetti bassi insieme, e ancora la batteria elettronica e i fiati. In molte parti ho immaginato di scrivere musica per un film di fantascienza (chi non lo ha fatto, del resto?), e penso che questa ispirazione si senta. Sono molto fiero di un brano meno sci-fi che ho dedicato al giocatore NBA Kevin Durant: me lo sono figurato mentre palleggia tra gli avversari e ho pensato a una musica al ritmo del pallone da basket che rimbalza sul parquet.

Non poteva che essere un brano veloce e non poco arzigogolato: il brano più difficile, ci ha dato non poche gatte da pelare». E se il tentetto ha accettato questa e le altre sfide del progetto, più in generale, conclude Scardino, «sono contento del fatto che questa musica, piaccia o no, mi rappresenti».

Beppe Scardino baritone sax, bass clarinet

Dan Kinzelman tenor sax, bass clarinet

Piero Bittolo Bon alto sax, bass clarinet

Mirko Cisilino trumpet

Mirco Rubegni trumpet

Glauco Benedetti tuba

Gabrio Baldacci guitar

Simone Graziano fender rhodes, synth

Gabriele Evangelista double bass

Daniele Paoletti drums, electronics

01 Agosto 14

02 One For KD

03 1001

04 Verticamera

05 Tre

06 Patchouli

07 Giant Steps GS II

Produced by Beppe Scardino for Pisa Jazz

Executive Producer: Marco Valente

Recorded at Teatro Sant’Andrea, Pisa – Italy

Engineer: Aldo de Sanctis

Cover Photo: Piero Bittolo Bon

Zach Deputy Kicks Off Fall 2018 Tour!

This fall, soulful and innovative multi-instrumentalist and singer Zach Deputy will hit the ground running on a 18 city east coast US tour! Concertgoers can look forward to a unique live music experience. Zach plays a different set every night as an ultimate expression of living in the moment, with the hopes of opening windows to people's souls to remind them of how good it feels to be alive.

On his path towards becoming a successful touring musician, Deputy serendipitously landed a solo gig in his early 20s by walking into a bar just after that night’s featured artist had bailed. Deputy soon introduced the world to the sound he’d eventually dub “island-infused, drum ‘n’ bass, gospel-ninja-soul.” By 2008 he’d released his debut album Out of the Water and—thanks to his ingenuity in looping—made his name as an unforgettable one-man-band live act. The new music kept flowing, and since then Deputy has released four critically acclaimed full length studio albums. As a special sneak peek into his new music, Zach will sprinkle songs from his upcoming album throughout his sets this fall.

Reflecting on his live shows, Zach says “music to me is about bringing people together from all walks of life and living in the moment with a joyful heart!” Deputy's one man show creates a unique experience straight from the soul every night, raw and uncut with absolutely nothing prerecorded. As a pioneer of looping and synth guitar work well ahead of his time, he's taken the technology to uncharted lands delivering a pocket groove unique to the ears.

Zach says, “call me crazy, but I've always believed live music should always be live, but I've also always loved a good tranced out dance party too.” With this in mind he tailored his performances to meet his convictions. Combining his family roots Island vibe with his low country southern soul, a pinch of tranced out hippy hop, and a vast amount of talent, Zach’s sound emerges in focus.

Select shows will feature Zach’s vibrant band The Yankees, a bluesy jam band who will be supporting Deputy with keys, Drums, Bass, and a whole lot of soul. Alongside Deputy on tour, supporting acts will include powerhouse musicians Audacity Brass Band, Afterfunk & Sarah Blacker, the Trailheads, and Mike Pinto.

This fall Zach Deputy will hit the road and perform live across the east coast of the United States. Audiences can expect a soulful night of joy and to shake their hips! You can catch Zach on tour in a city near you! Tour dates are below.

Tour Dates:

Nov 9 - Martin's Downtown Bar & Grill - Roanoke, VA

Nov 10 - Reeves Theater - Elkin, NC

Nov 13 - Funk 'n Waffles - Syracuse, NY

Nov 15 - Higher Ground - Burlington, VT

Nov 16 - Aura - Portland, ME

Nov 17 - Toad's Place - New Haven, CT

Nov 18 - Brooklyn Bowl - Brooklyn, NY

Nov 20 - Flour City Station - Rochester, NY

Nov 21 - A Wormtown Thanksgiving @ Palladium Upstairs - Worcester, MA

Nov 23 - The Greenhouse - Saint Simons Island, GA

Dec 1 - Skipper's Smokehouse - Tampa, FL

Dec 5 - Green Parrot - Key West, FL

Dec 6 - SoundBar - Orlando, FL

Dec 7 - 1904 Music Hall - Jacksonville, FL

Dec 8 - Sports Page - Satellite Beach, FL

Dec 9 - Pirate's Cove Resort & Marina - Stuart, FL

A/B Trio's New Album: Trioliloquy (CHRONOGRAPH RECORDS November 9, 2018)

The award winning A/B Trio is always looking for ways to develop their sound. After the success of Out West featuring Mike Murley, Dan Davis (saxophones), Thomas Bennett (drums) and Josh McHan (bass) began looking for another way to develop their sound together and their skills as musicians.

Enter Kevin Turcotte, a Toronto-based trumpeter with more than one hundred recordings to his name. A multiple Juno winner and eighteen-time Juno nominee, his work with the Barenaked Ladies and Bruce Cockburn as well as Mr. Something Something and even the Sicilian Jazz Project has proven time and time again that he is one of the most versatile and accomplished musicians in the country. Turcotte acts as a catalyst for the musical growth of the members of A/B Trio but this collaboration also aides in the cultural exchange between Alberta musicians and those based out east.

With cheeky word play, thoughtful melodies and rhythmic playing, Trioliloquy is sure to get your heart racing.

With cheeky word play, thoughtful melodies and rhythmic playing, Trioliloquy is sure to get your heart racing.

Roundabout is a funky tune that brings forth visions of 1970’s spies. The title track Trioliloquy is a brash, honest story told with rhythmic intensity by all three members that honors each individual’s voice while maintaining a singular narrative.

Leda’s Song is an intimate conversation between McHan and Davis that makes you feel like you’re witnessing a tender moment between lovers. With a contrasting feel to the rest of the album, Los Plazos Del Patrón which translates to “The Terms of the Employer”, is a politically charged tune with no resolution. When you hear McHan’s sharp breath in the intro to Bluesaholic you can’t help but be taken to a dark blues club and the following conversation among the players is competitive and informative.

The album will be released on November 9 through Chronograph