Francesco Bertone - Footprints (2016)

Francesco Bertone: contrabbasso, basso elettrico, ideazione e scrittura

Nato nel 1964 si diploma in contrabbasso nel ’91. Il suo interesse per tutti i generi musicali lo porta a studiare parallelamente anche basso elettrico. Seminari con Mark Harris, Ares Tavolazzi e Franco d’Andrea.

Nell’84 è cofondatore del gruppo-laboratorio Loscomobile che produce centinaia di concerti e due dischi; da segnalare l’apertura del concerto di Manu Chao (Cuneo 2012), Modena City Ramblers (Moncalieri 2014) e PFM (Cuneo 2015). Dall’89 al ’95 è contrabbassista nel gruppo del cantautore Gian Maria Testa e partecipa alla realizzazione del suo primo cd Montgolfieres per l’etichetta francese Label Bleu.

Dal ’91 al ’94 collabora con l’Orchestra di Savona - sinfonica, lirica e da camera - partecipando all’incisione di opere e recitals. Collabora inoltre con l’orchestra Bruni, Ghedini, l’Ensemble Antidogma e Camerata Casella.

Parallela a questa attività è la presenza in gruppi ‘third stream’ come il Bolling Group, Baroque&Blues Quintet, Cafè Express, Serenata Trio con Rino Vernizzi e numerose formazioni jazz accanto a solisti come Riccardo Zegna, Gianni Negro, Bruno Astesana, Roberto Andreoli, Remo Ramondetti, Alfredo Ponissi, Franco Olivero, Andrea Allione, Roberto Taufic, Gilson Silveira, Diego Borotti, Leo Martina, Fabrizio Bosso, Emanuele Cisi, Claudio Chiara, Marco Parodi, Luigi Tessarollo, Luca Rigazio, Marco Puxeddu, Skip Hadden, John Ramsay, Garrison Fewell, Marco Roagna, Marco Sorìa, Paolo Franciscone, Luca Allievi, G.P.Petrini, Alessandro Lanzoni, Marc Masselin, Joseph Alessi, Sergio Bellotti, Matcho Winterstein, Luca Zanetti, Danila Satragno, Danilo Pala, Enzo Zirilli, Paolo Porta, Aldo Rindone, Renzo Coniglio, Luigi Bonafede, Gianni Virone, Fabio Gorlier e altri.

Suona e incide con le cantanti Nitza Rizo, Simone Papa, Patricia Lowe, Ginger Brew, Liliana Di Marco (Lil’Darling Hot Club e Quartet), con il gruppo Atelier de Swing, Taxi Dream, Nomade Swing Trio, Giorgio Conte, Blue Dolls (collaborazioni con Renzo Arbore), Elemento H2O di Chiara Rosso e altri.

Attivo dalle prime edizioni del Giorno della Memoria con "Shirim" (reading musicale di tradizioni ebraiche autrice M.T. Milano - solista Avi Avital), contrabbassista nello spettacolo "Come in un silenzioso slow" su come il fascismo usò le canzoni a fini propagandistici. È autore delle musiche e contrabbassista in scena nel reading "Terezin" dedicato all’omonimo libro di M.T. Milano in collaborazione con il gruppo vocale Fuori dal coro. Questa attività lo porta nei teatri, festival e locali più prestigiosi come Piccolo Regio, Gilgamesh, Jazz Club e Salone del Conservatorio a Torino, Torrione di Ferrara, JazzonLive Brescia, Auditorium Carlo Felice, Louisiana Jazz Club di Genova, Cantina Bentivoglio, Bar Wolf a Bologna, Naima a Forlì, Alexander Platz a Roma, Le Scimmie e il Blue Note a Milano. Festival Caffeina di Viterbo, Mediterraneo Jazz Festival, Alba Music Festival, Sanremo Jazz Festival, Festival di Vitrè, di Legnano, Basilica dei Fieschi, Vincoli Sonori, Festival Manouche, Giordano a Baveno, Pavese a S. Stefano Belbo, Babel Festival Aosta, Wigam e Manchester. Attivo anche sul versante world music in eventi live con il Corou de Berra, Gai Saber, Piero Ponzo e Filippo Gambetta.

È nel gruppo di teatro-canzone Trelilu, sulla scena dal ’92, con all’attivo 15 cd, 2 dvd, più di mille concerti, festival internazionali come Glomel in Bretagna e Santander in Spagna, e nazionali come Le Gru, Collisioni, Asti Teatro, Teatro e Colline, stagioni teatrali al Teatro Erba, Alfieri e Gioiello, Fonderie Limone, Lavanderie a Vapore a Torino, Roumiage 2013, collaborazioni con Quintettango, Banda Osiris e Alessandro Perissinotto. Candidatura al Premio Tenco 2015.

Nel 2006 pubblica il suo primo cd solista Aritmiaritmetica con Videoradio. Tre brani di questo disco sono entrati nella compilation RaiTrade "Fusion, jazz, rock e groove".

Insegna basso elettrico e contrabbasso dal 1992, attività che lo porta ad essere organizzatore di ensemble di studenti, creatore di progetti live didattici, concerti a tema e scrivendo spettacoli teatrali a scopo divulgativo come "Il Rock’n’Roll ha cento anni?" o "Jazzando s’impara".

È uscito nell’Aprile 2013 per l’Editore Sonda di Casale Monferrato il manuale Musica, Maestra! di cui è co-autore con M.T. Milano e R. Beccaria; è stato presentato al Salone del Libro 2013.

Dall’86 svolge attività di strumentista, compositore e autore presso studi di registrazione.

Footprints, huellas, impronte.

Che lasciamo sul mondo e che il mondo lascia su di noi.

Brani eseguiti in trio si alternano a duetti basso e voce. Un disco fatto di acero e avorio, abete, bronzo, ebano e ghisa, pietra della strada. Tecnologia antica che si può toccare, opaca e ruvida. Poi muscoli e voce.

Lasciamo impronte sempre più evanescenti: immagini riprese da chissà quali telecamere, chissà dove, chissà perché. Per resistere a questo svanire voglio qualcosa di più concreto. Concreto come una canzone.

Con Francesco hanno suonato Fabio Gorlier (Pianoforte e Hammond) e Paolo Franciscone (Batteria) e ha cantato (e scritto) Nitza Rizo.

01. Come Together 5:21

02. Duck Walks 5:02

03. Andros 5:29

04. Ballano Ancora 4:20

05. Cantilena Menor 2:49

06. Coincidance 5:20

07. Ruiseñor 1:46

08. Una Foto di Carta 4:35

09. Gotas de Rocío 1:37

10. Olio di Gomito 5:14

11. Canción 1:29

12. Lumière 3:52

13. Huellas 2:01

FRANCESCO BERTONE WEB

BUY THIS ALBUM

Coincidance

Dave Douglas - Dark Territory (2016)

Source & Label: Greenleaf Records

“Dark Territory follows up on this area of risk, going into new, as yet unexplored musical spaces. The title was suggested by the writer Fred Kaplan, whose new book Dark Territory: The Secret History of Cyber War, talks about the similarly mysterious, murky waters of underground activity. In a way, we’re playing through a similar territory without rules where the dangers and challenges of technology are much greater than normal. I love that Zach, Jon, and Mark are so willing to go that place!”  Dave Douglas

With the 2015 release of High Risk, Dave Douglas, Shigeto, Jonathan Maron, and Mark Guiliana proved they could produce an album where avant-jazz and electronic music met in a spacey atmospheric middle ground, delivering something new in the world of genre. Melding traditional instrumentation and modern electronic music production challenges the ideals of both the traditional term “jazz” as well as the modern term “electronic music.” Pitchfork described it as, “Simultaneously chill and surprising, it’s the sound of a group discovering a valid language, and then proceeding to push the limits of that new aesthetic.”

Dark Territory features a new set of music that is being released on Limited Edition 12″ 180 Gram vinyl as a Special Release for Record Store Day 2016! The digital audio is also available directly from Greenleaf Music via Bandcamp. Order yours today!

Tracked in the same set of sessions as High Risk, Dark Territory was recorded once again by Geoff Countryman at The Bunker in Brooklyn, NY in October 2014, with mixing by Steve Wall, mastering by Mark Wilder and production by Dave Douglas.

As Douglas notes, “Dark Territory follows up on this area of risk, going into new, as yet unexplored musical spaces. The title was suggested by the writer Fred Kaplan, whose new book Dark Territory: The Secret History of Cyber War, talks about the similarly mysterious, murky waters of underground activity. In a way, we’re playing through a similar territory without rules where the dangers and challenges of technology are much greater than normal. I love that Zach, Jon, and Mark are so willing to go that place!”

The four musicians who make up High Risk come from multifaceted-genre backgrounds. Thus, the jazz/electronic divide is somewhat blurred. PopMatters observed, “Where one influence ends and another one begins is a mystery, and that’s what will guarantee High Risk‘s status as a wholly unique album. With any justice, it will also serve as a template for future electro-jazz.” All About Jazz described the original album, “Voluminous soundscapes and swelling patterns like oceanic waves find Douglas’ blustery and sensitive horn flowing within the band’s shifting and sonically rich program of beats, noises, thoughtful music, and creative embellishments.” Furthermore, Stereophile remarked, “It is a high-wire act, a ‘high risk,’ to be out there, so starkly exposed… there’s a serrated groove to this music, even a lyricism and the blues.”

1. Celine 06:43
2. All The Pretty Horsepower 07:02
3. Let's Get One Thing Straight 05:50
4. Mission Acropolis 05:28
5. Ridge Hill 03:55
6. Neural 04:51
7. Loom Large 06:20
   

 

Dave Douglas - trumpet
Shigeto - electronics
Jonathan Maron - bass
Mark Guiliana - drums  

BUY IT @ 

 

Russell Malone - All About Melody (2016)

Label: HighNote

Source: All Music - Matt Collar

Guitarist Russell Malone has always been a highly lyrical, melodic soloist and he spotlights this talent with his 2016 studio effort, All About Melody. Following up his similar small group album, 2015's Love Looks Good on You, All About Melody is a swinging, soulful, laid-back production showcasing Malone's knack for deftly delivered straight-ahead jazz. Joining Malone once again is his longtime working rhythm section of pianist Rick Germanson, bassist Luke Sellick, and drummer Willie Jones III. Together, this quartet makes supple, warm-toned instrumental music in which each player is totally jacked in, intrinsically working to complement the overall happy group vibe. With his big, hollow-body electric guitar, largely unadorned natural tone, and fluid, bop-inflected lines, Malone sounds positively exuberant here. To these ends, he revisits Freddie Hubbard's "On the Real Side," a groove-oriented number he first played on the trumpeter's last studio album. He then continues to pay homage to another of his stylistic inspirations, the late guitarist Jim Hall, with the hushed original "Message to Jim Hall." Poignantly, the track is followed by an actual phone message Hall left for Malone. Elsewhere, Malone keeps things vibrant and romantic with a sweet, unaccompanied take on "When a Man Loves a Woman," and equally amorous, afterglow-illuminated version of "Saving All My Love for You." However, it's not all candlelight and wine. Malone dances through Sonny Rollins' calypso "Nice Lady," and turns up the noise for a frenetic, funky take on Bill Lee's "Biskit." Ultimately, whether he's slipping into an intimate ballad or launching into a swaggering soul-jazz freakout, Malone keeps listeners hanging onto his melodies.  

1  On the Real Side
2  Message to Jim Hall
3  Message From Jim Hall
4  Nice Lady
5  Sound for Sore Ears
6  When a Man Loves a Woman
7  Saving All My Love for You    
8  Jive Hoot    
9  Haunted Heart    
10 Biskit    
11 He's Gone Away

Russell Malone - guitar
Rick Germanson - piano
Luke Sellick - bass
Willie Jones III – drums

BUY IT @ 

 

 

Stefan Goranov Quartet - Birdwatch (Music of Charlie Parker) 2016

The concept behind this project appeared in my mind five years ago and it slowly evolved from a vague idea to what you have now in front of you. It may sound as a cliche but it really is very difficult to point out all the people that have been nice to me and made this album possible. If I start listing them name by name it would be a long list and I will for sure skip someone cause I believe that we all learn from everything and everyone. I would point out only my parents as the people who always trusted my decisions and believed in me...

Released March 11, 2016 

1. Anthropology 07:33

2. Quasimodo 06:18

3. Interlude 1 01:03

4. Ah Leu Cha 08:56

5. Yardbird Suite 08:52

6. Interlude 2 01:05

7. My Little Suede Shoes 05:19

8. Billie's Bounce 09:44

Nacho de Frutos - guitar 

Jorge Castaneda - piano 

Dario Guibert - bass 

Stefan Goranov - drums and arrangements

June Koo - guitar - forever in the band although not on the record :)

Recorded on the 19th of December 2015 by Todd Carder at the Bunker Studio, Brooklyn, NYC 

Mixed on the 18th of January 2016 by John Davis at the Bunker Studio, Brooklyn, NYC 

Mastered by Alex de Turk

BUY THIS ALBUM

Marco Colonna - MINORANCE (A Late Reflection on the Revolutionary Art of Fred Ho) 2016

MARCO COLONNA

MINORANCE 

A late reflection on the revolutionary art of Fred Ho 

è per diversità che si resiste 

ma non ci sono appigli di realtà 

solo di volontà 

nasciamo in minoranza 

ma si possiede amore 

(Alberto Masala)

A due anni dalla scomparsa del grande sassofonista, compositore, combattente per la libertà FRED HO ho deciso di riprendere la suite realizzata un anno fa che aveva per titolo The Joyful Breath of the Dragon, facendola esplodere nelle direzioni che la mia musica, e la riflessione sull'arte di Fred Ho continua ad innescare in me. 

Stavo cominciando a lavorare con Ettore Fioravanti e si cercavano direzioni da seguire con cui convogliare le energie del nostro duo. Naturale è stato unire le cose, e trasformare la suite in quello che è ora, e questa trasformazione ha trasformato anche il titolo nell'attuale MINORANCE A late reflection on the revolutionary art of Fred Ho. 

Ho preferito utilizzare i miei strumenti principali (clarinetto e clarinetto basso) su cui sono impegnato in una vera e propria rivoluzione sonora, per allontanare il lavoro dall'idea di commemorazione didascalica e per introiettare alcune istanze che dall'opera di Fred Ho io cerco di fare mie. Ricerca formale, senso della struttura, impianto tematico diretto e costruito attorno ad un materiale melodico di tipo squisitamente pentatonico sono le caratteristiche compositive della suite. 

Dal punto di vista timbrico ho cercato di portare una ricerca sonora dello spazio scevro da ambientazioni esotiche ma intriso di un lavoro sulla spazialità reale, su un suono marmoreo dato anche da una registrazione in cui non si è ricorso assolutamente ad artifici ambientali. 

L'idea di suono che avevo per questo lavoro è corrispondente al suono che sento riascoltandola. Naturale nel vero senso del termine. 

La fortuna di lavorare con Ettore Fioravanti mi ha dato la possibilità di avere al mio fianco un vero architetto della batteria. In un set prettamente jazzistico riesce a costruire gli spazi in maniera profondamente sintattica, giocando un ruolo paritario nei confronti delle ance anche dal punto di vista melodico. Un grande maestro che ho l'onore di aver coinvolto in questo lavoro. 

Al termine del lavoro ho deciso di inserire un brano di Cal Massey , autore caro a Fred Ho , fonte di ispirazione e grande combattente per i diritti del popolo nero. Brano che si trova originariamente sul capolavoro di Archie Shepp Attica Blues. 

La figura di Fred Ho è una figura centrale per tutto quello che riguarda l'estetica e l'etica della musica (e dell'arte) che mi interessa. Il perenne interrogativo su forma e sostanza, sulla fruizione, sull'energia e la meditazione, sul conflitto e la perenne trasformazione dialettica del suono. 

Non smetterò a breve di interrogarmi sulla sua figura, sul significato di una musica che possa essere veicolo di trasformazione e portatrice di un messaggio di liberazione. 

Non smetterò mai di trovare nella minoranza un valore necessario alla critica, alla salvaguardia etica e alla proposta di strategie e valori necessari. 

Il disco uscirà in 25 copie numerate, con un lavoro grafico dell'artista Francesca Gallo. 

Per la promozione mi affiderò esclusivamente al formato digitale. In nome di una strategia altra e sovversiva nei confronti di un mercato discografico che nell'attuale scenario produttivo è altamente esclusivo.

Released April 12, 2016

1. An Ancient Lake 09:25

2. Minorance 05:45

3. The Dragon 06:21

4. Fight 04:49

5. The Darkness of the Lake 07:21

6. Liberation 04:02

7. Epilogue 02:51

Marco Colonna : clarinet, bass clarinet 

Ettore Fioravanti : drums and percussions 

Covert Art Francesca Gallo aka SKAFRASTER

BUY THIS ALBUM

P 'N Ko Trio - Premier Étage (2016)

"Nous avons le plaisir de vous annoncer la sortie de notre premier album, « Premier étage » !

Cet album contient 7 compositions originales". P 'N Ko Trio (facebook)

1. Peak Time 06:01

2. Mardi 16 08:25

3. Pour Inès 04:33

4. Blues for Peter 06:26

5. Obsession 05:23

6. Lost Uncle 07:00

7. Abstraction 08:16

A jazz trio with very young players: 

Pierre Carbonneaux, soprano, alto tenor & baritone saxes

Nicolas Zentz, double bass 

Kolia Lothar Hiffler, drums 

Compositions by Pierre Carbonneaux & Kolia Lothar Hiffler

Released April 16, 2016

BUY THIS ALBUM

Playlist for Tom Ossana / Dane Brewer – The Thin Edge – April 20, 2016 MST 7:00 to 9:00p.m.

                                              

http://www.kzmu.org/listen.m3u ~ Use this link to access the show online.

Oklahoman Sam Rivers, whose playing style was too avant-garde for Davis when he performed with Miles just before he was replaced by Wayne Shorter, composed the most romantic ballad in modern jazz, "Beatrice". Ralph Peterson will introduce the the frequently heard melody to us again from his 2016 Truth Revolution Records release Triangular III to begin tonight's show. Portugal's Eduardo Cardinho Quinteto's Black Hole (2016) follows with his penned "Canção". The vibist is backed up by countrymen Mané Fernandes - Guitar, José Soares - Alto Sax, Filipe Louro - Bass, Pedro Almiro - Drums. Another newcomer, Sam Crockatt, performs with his quartet "The Masterplan" from his new Whirlwind Records CD Mells Bells - a twist on the cliché Hells Bells. Pianist Kit Downes joins the tenor saxophonist in the performance. Also new to the show is the impressive pianist, Steve Einerson, giving a trio performance of "Cookin' at the Colonels" (maybe he used to work for KFC) from his new Cellar Live outing Arrival.

Legendary reedman Mark Turner makes a guest appearance on percussionist Diego Pinera Trio's 2016 Octasons Records release, My Picture, covering Thelonius Monk's masterpiece, "Evidence", with help from bassist Ben Street. Phronesis, described by Jasswise magazine as "the most exciting and imaginative piano trio since e.s.t., is the musical group formed by Danish bassist Jasper Høiby in 2005; British pianist Ivo Neamer and Swedish drummer Anton Eger complete the trio playing Neame's "Kite for Seamus" from this year's Edition Records Parallax. "Segment" (Jazz contrafact: the tune is like Swing era's "Topsy" without the key change at the end of the first eight.) is next performed by the original composer, alto saxophonist Charlie Parker, from his 1949 Mercury shellac recording featuring Kenny Dorham, Al Haig, Tommy Potter and Max Roach: trumpet, piano, bass and drums. Walt Weiskopf's The Way You Say It (Posi-Tone Records 2016) is next with his quartet's version of Charlie's contrafact. The magnificent Ernie Watts concludes this half with his take on Monk's famous "'Round Midnight" from his 1998 JVC Classic. Pianist Mulgrew Miller, bassist George Mraz and drummer Jimmy Cobb back the tenor saxophonist.

 John Coltrane, with help from his pianist wife Alice and flautist Pharoah Sanders, kicks off the third half with the title track from his last recording, the groundbreaking 1967 Impulse Expression. Tenor Dave Liebman and pianist Richie Beirach follow with a duet medley covering Coltrane's "Welcome/Expression" from their 2016 Intuition Records Balladscapes. The Diego Pinera Trio makes a second appearance tonight covering Jerome Kern's "The Song Is You" also featuring Mark Turner's tenor.

Nnenna Freelon's cover of Ellington and Strayhorn's "Something to Live For" begins the Romantic Half-Hour from her 1993 Columbia recording Heritage featuring Kenny Barron, Dave Tofani and Jim Pugh: piano/tenor/trombone. Bill Evans is next from his 1962 Verve Empathy with greats Shelly Manne and Monty Budwig covering Frank Loesser's "I Believe in You". Bill's performance is a startling departure from his earlier work with Paul Motian and Scotty LaFaro - perhaps due to his presence on the West Coast, and their unique approach to jazz - from New York's Village Vanguard. A special request from Holiday Farms in SLC gives us the ill-fated jazz vocalist, Beverly Kenney, covering Irving Berlin's "It only Happens When I Dance with You" from her second-to-last recording, Decca's 1959 Born to Be Blue, completed one year before her untimely suicide. Newcomers Texan Jim Riggs & Sweden's Stefan Karlsson follow tackling Tadd Dameron's "On a Misty Night" from their Texas Time (Bolo Classique Records 2016). The elegant Jane Monheit covers Rodgers and Hart's "It Never Entered My Mind" from her 2006 Starwin CD Platinum Select Set. From Sophie Millman's 2007 Linus Entertainment Make Someone Happy we get our final taste of the love phenomenon, this time bittersweet, with "Undun", Randy Bachman's tale of a girl slipping into a coma after dropping LSD. Although entirely inexplicable, love may be just around the corner. Expect a bumpy ride!

 Can we still have some fun?

A special thanks to KZMU's Music Director, Serah Mead and the troops @ RoJ for their help putting the show together: Agenor (BRA), Chris do Brasil (BRA), Domi & Victor (SPA), GAB (BEL), JR (SPA), Javi (SPA), Jazzzz61 (SPA), Lira (BRA), Luisa, Menos Que un Perro (ARG), Marcos (BRA), Melokan (VEN), Raz (ISR) and Sonia (SPA). Also friend, Raul Boeira, the Brazilian based in Passo Fundo and Spain's Javier Carrete.

http://www.kzmu.org/show/thin-edge/

http://www.kzmu.org/program-schedule/

Gorka Benitez - Quiero Volver a Marte Otra Vez (2015)

Label: Fresh Sound New Talent

Source: Artte

Gorka Benitez & David Xirgu
Presentan: Quiero Volver A Marte, continuación de su primer disco A Marte Otra Vez.

Gorka Benitez presenta su segundo disco a Dúo, junto a David Xirgu, Quiero Volver A Marte, continuación de su primer disco A Marte Otra Vez.

"Gorka Benítez y David Xirgu son dos auténticos veteranos, solo con comenzar a tocar ya se les notan los galones. El resultado es sencillamente apabullante en su simplicidad y bello en su contenido.
Realmente no necesitan a nadie más en el escenario, lo llenan y rebosan de musicalidad y ritmo. Pueden pasar de la balada de sensualidad insinuada al ritmo desasosegador demostrando cada vez que, incluso en el caos, pueden encontrar una melodía. Un viaje espacial sin rumbo fijo a través de sensaciones a flor de piel, sentimientos profundos a pesar de su aparente frivolidad y ritmos casi diabólicos por su hipnotismo. 

 CD 1

01. M.B. 2:43
02. Hablan los tambores 2:22
03. Guad 3:34
04. Non trovo il Supermiriafiori 5:02
05. Por fandangos 3:37
06. Perro no come perro 3:03
07. Ging Song (a BCN GIN) 4:38
08. Lamentable Mente 2:51
09. Al Sur 4:09
10. Descarado 2:05
11. Quiero volver a Marte 2:33

CD 2

01. Amarte otra vez 3:01
02. Alejandro Pérezx 3:3603. Salto de presa 1:17
04. Cocinita de la ventana 2:52
05. Aire de un verso 2:48
06. Tentaten 3:30
07. Años de tu luz 2:18
08. Lalde de perro 3:05
09. Lila 3:27
10. Barcota 2:20
11. Once varas 1:50
12. S.O.Esa 3:35
13. Cuenta atrás 3:02
14. Elvin 1:12

Gorka Benítez (tenor sax & flute), David Xirgu (drums)

BUY IT @ 

 

Giovanni Perin 6et - #pera (2016)

Label: Self Released

Source: Giovanni Perin

BRECKER’S TUNE: this piece is a tribute to saxophonist Michael Brecker and his energetic music.

LOST IN A VIOLET SKY: imagine sunset colors, when the last warm rays of the sun paint the clouds violet.

CONVERSATION WITH DAVE: it was summer and my teacher, David Friedman, was on tour in Italy and came to see me in Padua. After having lunch together, we started to play and I played some chords I was working on for him. This odd blues is the result of that exchange of ideas and recalls that pleasant afternoon.

REBUILT: I composed this ballad during a period of reflection about the future, a moment in which I had to retake control of my life. Rebuilding implies having the strength to detach oneself from the past, start all over again and find the germ of life inside oneself once again.

STAR EYES: this particular arrangement has been locked up in a drawer for many years. I had already tried to record it on my first album, but probably it wasn’t the ripe at the time and I decided not to include it. However, this time I am really satisfied with the result.

DARN THAT DREAM: those of you who know me, also know that I like to play with different styles and to give a brand new color to pieces belonging to the American songbook. In this case, I have only maintained the original notes of the melody, turning both harmony and rhythm upside down. I hope you like this new version.

A SUNNY DAY IN BERLIN TOWN: it was April and the warm spring sun appeared after a long, freezing winter. Even if there were still spots of snow along the streets, I really wanted to be outdoors, so I took my bike and I cycled through the park with a jingle echoing in my head.

SONG FOR BILL: I owe the main part of my harmonic knowledge and of my way of playing vibes to pianist Bill Evans, an artist I will never stop listening to, who made me understand the profound beauty of jazz music.

BRAZILIAN NIGHT: I have been dreaming of going to Brazil for many years, because I like Brazilian people’s human potential, energy and wide musical culture. This piece is a tribute to this faraway land, where I will get sooner or later.

Thanks from the bottom of my heart to Cli, for always believing in me and for her constant and real help during the creation of this album. I really don’t know what would I do without her!
Thank you to all my family, who has always supported and encouraged me throughout this adventure. Thank you to my friends, both the close and distant ones, for making me become what I am.
I dedicate this album to my mom.  

BUY IT @

Nova Express Quintet - Andras, The Book of Angels Vol. 28 (2016)

Source & Label: Tzadik

Nova Express is one of Zorn’s most dynamic and sensitive ensembles: an MJQ-tinged quartet featuring piano, vibraphone, bass and drums. For their first foray into the world of Masada, they are joined by the ever-popular Brazilian percussionist Cyro Baptista to create a fabulous program of space-age bachelor pad music for the 21st century. Relaxing and unique instrumental music performed by an all-star quintet of musical masters touching upon the exotic language of The Dreamers, Les Baxter, Martin Denny, Bert Kaempfert, Afro-Cuban bop and more.  

1. Meresin
2. Yofiel
3. Sabiel
4. Hemah
5. Sahiviel
6. Ramiel
7. Ithuriel
8. Kakabel
9. Huzia
10.Tatrusia

Cyro Baptista: Congas, Percussion
Joey Baron: Drums
Trevor Dunn: Acoustic And Electric Basses
John Medeski: Organ, Piano
Kenny Wollesen: Vibraphone

BUY IT @