Enrico Rava | Edizione Especiale | Available October 29 via ECM

Trumpeter Enrico Rava's

Musical Enthusiasm Returns With

New Live Recording Edizione Speciale

Quartet Features Francesco Diodati,

Gabriele Evangelista, and Enrico Morello

Available October 29 via ECM

Enrico Rava delivers a characteristically outgoing performance in this live recording from Antwerp’s Jazz Middelheim festival. In the summer of 2019, the doyen of Italian jazz was in buoyant mood as he zigzagged between celebrations marking ECM’s 50th anniversary and his own 80th. For these concerts, the core of his current quartet with guitarist Francesco Diodati, bassist Gabriele Evangelista and drummer Enrico Morello was augmented with guests to form a special unit, an Edizione Speciale able to rove across the totality of Enrico’s musical enthusiasms. To differing degree, all the players heard here have been inspired by Enrico Rava’s example: he has been a mentor to most of them and, in turn, draws fresh energy from their spirited interaction. “I give them a lot of freedom,” he has said of his sidemen, “because I trust them. I have to trust them, and they have to trust me – at that point, everything is possible.”

 

Always a special case among the improvisers, Rava (born in Trieste in 1939) stood out in the late 1960 and early 1970s era of the new music, as a tradition-conscious player in the inner circle of the free blowers. This is apparent on some of his earliest recorded appearances - with Steve Lacy on The Forest and the Zoo, for instance, or with Manfred Schoof on European Echoes or with Carla Bley in the massed ranks of Escalator Over the Hill.

 

“I always felt connected to the tradition of jazz, and started to discover a more ‘Italian’ way of feeling the music which to me means giving greater importance to the melody”, Rava explained in the book Horizons Touched. The trumpeter/flugelhornist gradually dove deeper into his “personal musical world, which represents a synthesis of the many experiences of my life.” This meant jazz from New Orleans to Ornette Coleman and beyond, influences from Italian classical and popular music, and also “the feeling of South America, in a way my second home, with tango and Brazilian music…I’m putting all the musics that I love together making something that is still essentially jazz but also unmistakably my music.” 

 

The repertoire of Edizione Speciale expresses this autobiographical flavour from the first moment. “Infant” begins with briefly unaccompanied Rava flugelhorn, soon to introduce a theme that moves initially like one of Ornette’s themes for his early group with Don Cherry, as saxophonist Francesco Bearzatti plays tight unisons with Enrico. The entry of guitarist Gabrieli Evangelisti subverts the association in an explosion of sound-colour and by the time Giovanni Guidi, one of Rava’s most gifted protégés, arrives with a boiling piano solo the feeling is established that this music, brimming over with personality, can go anywhere, swinging with insouciant recklessness from mood to mood.

Michel Legrand’s “Once Upon A Summertime” is gradually untethered from associations with the Miles Davis/Gil Evans collaboration on Quiet Nights, with poetic and limpid Guidi piano easing the ballad into freer areas which coalesce into Rava’s “Theme for Jessica Tatum” from his Noir collection of darkly cinematic tunes. 

 

“Wild Dance”, title track of the Rava Quartet’s 2015 album, proposes balletic movement over a floating pulse with flugelhorn juxtaposed against distorted electric guitar texture, which Rava refers to as “clouds of sounds.” “The Fearless Five”, meanwhile, takes us back to the heyday of Enrico’s group with the late Roswell Rudd, with roots in Dixieland and the lurching rhythms of Thelonious Monk, while always reaching for other freedoms. 

 

“Le Solite Cose/Diva” brackets a piece that was a favourite of Enrico’s duo with Stefano Bollani together with another noir-ish portrait, which Rava has returned to on several occasions (including Wild Dance). And finally, there is a carnival-spirited account of the popular Cuban tune “Quizás, Quizás, Quizás”. (Guidi has recorded it previously for ECM on his own album This Is The Day). Rava’s Edizione Speciale ensemble uses its syncopated groove as a launching pad for cheery solos from each of the band members. Enrico Morello, whom Rava hails as “the best drummer in Italy right now”, elegantly negotiates the shifting Latin rhythms.

Enrico Rava made his earliest ECM recordings on The Pilgrim And The Stars (1975) and The Plot (1976), with his international quartet with John Abercrombie, Palle Danielsson and Jon Christensen. Since then he has been heard in many other contexts including, recently, the album Roma, with a quintet co-led by Joe Lovano and also featuring Giovanni Guidi, Dezron Douglas and Gerald Cleaver (recorded 2018). Edizione Speciale is Enrico Rava’s 18th recording for ECM.  Further recordings are in preparation. 

1 INFANT 13:01

2 ONCE UPON A SUMMERTIME / THEME FOR JESSICA 16:58

3 WILD DANCE 06:17

4 THE FEARLESS FIVE 12:57

5 LE SOLITE COSE / DIVA 09:43

6 QUIZÁS, QUIZÁS, QUIZÁS 05:24

Enrico Rava   Trumpet & Flugelhorn

Francesco Bearzatti   tenor saxophone

Francesco Diodati   Guitar

Giovanni Guidi   Piano

Gabriele Evangelista   Double Bass

Enrico Morello   Drums

PREORDER

CONCERTS

November 01 Enrico Rava Elbphilharmonie, kleiner Saal Hamburg Germany

Enrico Morello - Cyclic Signs (2021 Auand Records)

Enrico Morello, one of the most creative drummers in the Italian jazz scene, to release his new album “Cyclic Signs” on Auand Records on March 19

Italian drummer Enrico Morello debut album comes after gaining experience on the need of putting together the endless inputs he received over many years of activity as a sideman. These collaborations allowed him to get in touch and play with the musicians he selected as members of his Cyclic Signs quartet – Francesco Lento on trumpet, Daniele Tittarelli on alto sax and Matteo Bortone on double bass.

Immediately and solid and synched, the members’ approach and contribution fit into Morello’s complex original compositions, and enriched them with their own vision. The Cyclic Signs driving force is to be found in the rhythms of life, and their multiple transformations. However, this album also wants to become a gesture, a moving body, a kinetic force – in other words, a dance.

«When I had to put these concepts into music», Morello explains, «I started from what I feel is more suitable to me – rhythm. I tried to subvert the predictable logic of a metered tempo by tracing unexpected and mixed paths. My aim was to give that feeling of surprise and confusion back to the listeners facing the unknown.»

«Using instruments», he adds, «that are mostly monodic allows a polyphonic development of the themes and let the music flow from silence, just like the strokes of a painter on a canvas. I focused my energy on the harmonic side of each track, conducting the different voices that create the polyphony. Following these principles, harmony keeps a central role in the big picture of these compositions, and it determines their changing music scenarios.»

«Such choices», Morello says, «led me to exploring soundscapes that have an essential timber, although their appearance is complex and well-structured. They are not so far from some traditional music productions in Central Africa, which endlessly inspired my creative research.»

1. The Forest People 04:18

2. Persephone’s Dance 04:35

3. Sometimes, During The Night 00:49

4. What Happened On The Road 07:57

5. Walking Together 01:28

6. Drills In My Brain 05:49

7. Tales De Hadas 06:40

8. Playful 01:00

9. Natural Movement 05:25

10. Quite Close 06:25

11. Ghost Truck 09:20

12. The End Is The Beginning 01:56

Francesco Lento - trumpet

Daniele Tittarelli - alto sax

Matteo Bortone - double bass

Enrico Morello - drums, qraqeb, carillon

Recorded at Cicaleto Recording Studio, Arezzo - Italy

on July 2-3, 2020 by Francesco Ponticelli

Mixed at Cicaleto Recording Studio, Arezzo - Italy

on August 6-7, 2020 by Francesco Ponticelli

Mastered at Jambona Lab, Livorno - Italy

on August 24, 2020 by Antonio Castiello

Pre-order

Francesco Diodati - Yellow Squeeds "NEVER THE SAME" (AUAND RECORDS January 25, 2019)

"Never The Same”, Francesco Diodati’s new album as a leader

featuring his Yellow Squeeds, out on January 25th

After his critically acclaimed “Flow, Home”, his long-awaited new release

has been showcased at JAZZMI (Milan), London Jazz Festival and the Bimhuis (Amsterdam). 

It features Enrico Zanisi (piano, synth), Francesco Lento (trumpet), 

Glauco Benedetti (tuba, trombone) and Enrico Morello (drums)

Three years after his previous work (“Flow, Home”, 2015), Italian guitarist and composer Francesco Diodati releases “Never The Same”, his latest and long-awaited album as a leader. He’s back with the same band, Yellow Squeeds – Enrico Zanisi (piano, synth), Francesco Lento (trumpet), Glauco Benedetti (tuba, valve trombone) and Enrico Morello (drums) – and the same label, Auand Records. His name has become one of the most renowned ones in the Italian and European music scene: working and touring extensively with Enrico Rava, he has also proved his personality and innovative attitude on his works as a leader.

At the core of “Never The Same” is a deep reflection on individual perceptions and team work and on the countless transformations these two elements can generate even on the most basic melody. What dominates the composing side is «several layers of sounds overlapping – Diodati says –, intertwining lines becoming mutually essential, albeit maintaining their own independence. This way of building music ensures, for example, that the same tune can be perceived in a different way by each listener. It’s like looking at the same 3D object from different perspectives, in your hands or suspended in space.» This approach generates the apparently alienating effect that can be heard on “Entanglement”, with its constantly changing rhythm.

This penchant for change, like a push towards something that was not there before, is also key to understand the band’s style. «They are all very dynamic and looking for new sounds and approaches – Diodati adds – On our previous album, Zanisi played the piano, while he’s doubling on Fender Rhodes, modular synth and bass synth now. I gave Morello a ton of Burmese gongs, which I collected along my trips and live shows in Myanmar, and we played those in the intro of “Simple Lights”. Glauco Benedetti turned out so surprisingly well on the valve trombone that I rewrote some parts to add it. Francesco Lento brings so many different sounds out of his trumpet, making the timber possibilities endless. He can be truly lyric as well as angular and harsh. We often converse very fast, and this became more and more intense over the years. They are all impressive musicians. I chose them because they break boundaries, and go beyond what’s common.»

As the likes of “River” show, sometimes their interplay is the starting point of an enchanting sound flow, built on the melody and ending in a dense collective improvisation.

And while they’re playing with an out-of-tune instrument, focusing on timber or exchanging roles in the lineup, the album cover also catches the eye, embracing the whole idea of the album. «The cover is the result of an art work by Sara Bernabucci, an artist I’ve been collaborating with for two years – we aim at making music and visual arts meet – and by Alberto Timossi. It’s the layering of two different arts (sculpture and painting), from two different minds, and the camera adds my point of view, making the original work of art unrecognisable. This is what I mean: looking at the same object from different perspectives, not as a preconceived approach, but with the intuitive passion of those who live through art.»

Mirko Signorile TRIO TRIP (AUAND RECORDS) out on October 12

Mirko Signorile’s Expressionist Touch 

On Trio Trip Colorful Map

New album out on Auand Records for the Italian pianist 

Featuring Francesco Ponticelli (bass) and Enrico Morello (drums)

Either contemplative or frisky, Italian pianist Mirko Signorile’s new project is the colorful map of a journey: “Trio Trip”, out for Auand Records and supported by Puglia Sounds funds (Regione Puglia - FSC 2014/2020 - Patto per la Puglia - Investiamo nel vostro futuro), is led by the Apulian musician, who penned most compositions, joined by Francesco Ponticelli on double bass and Enrico Morello on drums.

Far from being a tortuous or unnaturally layered work, “Trio Trip” is an emotional collage. In their joyful polychromy, these tracks paint an entire life with an expressionist style: exposing both certainties and fears, each composition is the picture of a moment, a feeling, a place. «I wrote these tunes relying on my gut feelings, with no overthinking – Signorile says – I trust my sensations: when I write, it’s like a bliss, a slow and endless fire.» 

While confirming the melodic and minimal taste that distinguished his previous works, the sparkle of the compositions gradually replenishes on either naif or harrowing lines. Opening track “The Blue Ritual” starts the fire with a synthetic glare; suddenly, the dancing meditation of “Indigo Garden” opens wide on a surprising lightheartedness, much like what can be heard on the background of Signorile’s tender “The Colorful Tuner” and the dreamy “Orange City”. Although, on the opposite side of this emotional spectrum, is the sinister uncertainty of “Black Forest”, the tracklist ends with an essential, sly rendition of Alanis Morissette’s “Ironic”, like a note for the future: the will not to take anything too seriously, and an invitation to enjoy every moment.

Ora meditabondo ora danzante, il nuovo progetto guidato dal pianista Mirko Signorile è la colorata mappa di un viaggio: in “Trio Trip”, in uscita a settembre per Auand Records e finanziato da Puglia Sounds (Regione Puglia - FSC 2014/2020 - Patto per la Puglia - Investiamo nel vostro futuro), il musicista pugliese, impegnato al pianoforte oltre che nella maggior parte delle composizioni, è accompagnato dal contrabbassista Francesco Ponticelli e da Enrico Morello alla batteria.

Lontano dall’essere un lavoro cerebrale o forzatamente strutturato, “Trio Trip” è invece un collage emotivo. La giocosa policromia delle tracce dipinge i quadri di un’intera esistenza con un tocco espressionista: dalle certezze alle inquietudini, ogni pezzo è la fotografia di un momento specifico, di una sensazione, di un luogo. «Ho scritto questi brani di pancia, senza troppo pensare – confida Signorile – Mi fido molto di quello che sento: è una specie di rapimento quando compongo, un fuoco lento ma continuo». 

Confermando il gusto melodico e minimal che ha messo in luce nei lavori precedenti, la fiamma delle composizioni si alimenta a poco a poco, su linee naif o stranianti: ad accendere la miccia è il motivo dai riflessi sintetici che campeggia in “The Blue Ritual” all’apertura del disco.

La meditazione danzante di “Indigo Garden” si spalanca all’improvviso su una solarità sorprendente che, con un risvolto più intimo e raccolto, ritorna sullo sfondo di altre tracce, inclusa l’affettuosa “The Colorful Tuner” o la sognante “Orange City”. Se sul lato opposto dello spettro emotivo c’è spazio per l’incertezza sinistra e le corse a perdifiato di “Black Forest”, la tracklist si chiude con un una versione asciutta e sorniona di “Ironic” di Alanis Morissette. Una sorta di appunto per il futuro: la volontà di non prendersi mai troppo troppo sul serio, e l’invito a godersi ogni momento.

Mirko Signorile piano, synth

Francesco Ponticelli double bass, bass

Enrico Morello drums

1 The Blue Ritual

2 Indigo Garden

3 Black Forest

4 Golden Pearl

5 The Red Dot

6 The Colorful Tuner

7 Orange City

8 The White Story

9 Pink Lighthouse

10 Trio Trip in Violet Flow

11 Ironic

Produced by Mirko Signorile

Executive Producer: Marco Valente

Recorded at Sorriso Studio

Engineer: Tommy Cavalieri

Cover Design: Segni&Disegni

All compositions by Mirko Signorile (Jazz Engine Ed. Mus.)

Except Ironic by Alanis Morissette and Glen Ballard (Song of Universal Inc.)

Giampiero Locatelli "RIGHT AWAY" (AUAND AU3016) out on February 23

Giampiero Locatelli

"RIGHT AWAY"

(Auand piano series AU3016, distr. Jazzos.com/Believe - 8031697301622)

“Right Away” is Italian pianist’s Giampiero Locatelli debut album. Out for Auand Records on February 23rd (distributed by Goodfellas / Jazzos.com), the recording features Gabriele Evangelista on double bass and Enrico Morelli on drums. Choosing to work with a trio proves to be the best way to fully accomplish his vision of music: it’s the ideal, logical result of Locatelli’s composition approach and music manipulation. Evangelista and Morello’s contribution is key to let the music take its final shape.

A mixed music education – never limited to a specific music field, but rather open to contemporary and improvisation – takes the band far away from the ordinary piano trios and shapes their music as innovative. The trio is conceived as the operating center in a music idea that swings between improvisation and written music.

Even with no strictly melodic background, Locatelli’s gift is a special outgoing ability, which always grants his compositions’ complex layers a touch of spontaneity. Among the 8 originals are tracks inspired by Bach (Inspire me) and Escher (Toward Backward), minimalist and jazz ballads (From the last Frame and Like a Gentle Mood), and the complete upheaval of the very idea of a piano trio, as in the title track Right Away.

The recording will be presented live on April 16th at Jazz Club La Sosta in Villa San Giovanni (RC, Italy).

01 Fizzle, Deed Slow, Whistle

02 Path

03 Toward Backward

04 From Last Frame

05 Inspire Me

06 Right Away

07 Like A Gentle Mood

08 From Afar

Giampiero Locatelli piano

Gabriele Evangelista double bass

Enrico Morello drums

Produced by Giampiero Locatelli

Executive Producer: Marco Valente

Recorded at Artesuono, Cavalicco (UD) – Italy on march 11 and 12, 2017

Engineer: Stefano Amerio

Cover Photo: Luca A. D’Agostino ©Phocus Agency

Direct link for CD distribution through Jazzos.com or through major platforms

Giampiero Locatelli - Right Away (AUAND RECORDS February 23, 2018)

“Right Away” is Italian pianist’s Giampiero Locatelli debut album. Out for Auand Records on February 23rd (distributed by Goodfellas / Jazzos.com), the recording features Gabriele Evangelista on double bass and Enrico Morelli on drums. Choosing to work with a trio proves to be the best way to fully accomplish his vision of music: it’s the ideal, logical result of Locatelli’s composition approach and music manipulation. Evangelista and Morello’s contribution is key to let the music take its final shape.

A mixed music education – never limited to a specific music field, but rather open to contemporary and improvisation – takes the band far away from the ordinary piano trios and shapes their music as innovative. The trio is conceived as the operating center in a music idea that swings between improvisation and written music.

Even with no strictly melodic background, Locatelli’s gift is a special outgoing ability, which always grants his compositions’ complex layers a touch of spontaneity. Among the 8 originals are tracks inspired by Bach (Inspire me) and Escher (Toward Backward), minimalist and jazz ballads (From the last Frame and Like a Gentle Mood), and the complete upheaval of the very idea of a piano trio, as in the title track Right Away.

The recording will be presented live on April 16th at Jazz Club La Sosta in Villa San Giovanni (RC, Italy).