Aldo Romano - Chante (2005)

Chante is an exemplary cultivation of Aldo Romano's jardín of romantic songs. His poignant intimacy of feelings is genuinely conveyed in this stylish set of emotional songs replete with rhythmic waves, passionate lyrics, and beautiful music. With superb accompaniment from Nelson Veras on acoustic guitar, Rémi Vignolo on double bass, André "Dee" Ceccarelli on drums, Francesco Bearzatti on tenor saxophone and clarinet, Flavio Boltro on trumpet, and Baptiste Trotignon on piano, the pleasure you will derive from Romano's poetic expressions is priceless. Whether you're enjoying the quiet, joie aimer of Cole Porter's "So in Love" with a special person or at your leisure in a dignified daydream by the "L' Étang" on a sunny carefree day, you're sure to yield to the romantic allurement of Aldo Romano's wonderful voice. Chante's seduction is in the taste and swagger of Romano's delivery, arrangements, and song selection. "A St Germain Des Prés," sung in French, brings you close to a lover in a Parisian café. "The End of a Love Affair," which is sung in accented English, drips with forlorn charm, while "Lo Qui Tu Li" is a slow-burning love affair featuring supermodel Carla Bruni. Their flawless pairing offers listeners an imaginative setting that brings to mind a champagne sunset sail for two. With extra spice from the accompanying string ensemble, this song is the centerpiece of the recording. The ultra-romantic "Sans Un Mot" is a ballad that is tinged with the easy-to-cozy-up-to saxophonics of Francesco Bearzatti. Here, Romano's voice is an irresistible art form that beckons you to curl up on a canopied bed with cocktail in hand. It resonates with sex appeal and is as unique as two lovers. "Estate" further seals Aldo's diverse set of influences in a charming envelope of passionate musical innovation. A beautiful piano solo by Baptiste Trotignon keeps the song soft and calm in a mosaic of idyllic improvisations. ~ by Paula Edelstein, AMG. 

Dreyfus Jazz, 346050366862, 2005
Recorded May-June 2005 at Studio Ferber, Paris, France 

Musicians:
Aldo Romano - Vocals, Arranger (#1)
Flavio Boltro - Trumpet
Francesco Bearzatti - Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet, Arranger (#2,10)
Baptiste Trotignon - Piano
Nelson Veras - Guitar, Guitar [Acoustic]
Rémi Vignolo - Bass, Contrabass
André Ceccarelli - Drums
Carla Bruni - Vocals (#3)
Rita Marcotulli - Arranger (#1) 

Orchestra:
Jean Claude Petit - Arranger, Conductor 

Strings:
Alain Kouznetzoff, Carol Saint Michel, Christophe Guiot, Marie-Hélène Clausse,
Yves Melon, Véronique Guay, Thierry Huchin, Karine Ato, Armand Nuvolone,
Yué Zhang, Laurent Philipp, Hélène Blazy, Paul Rouger, Karen Khochafian,
Marc Desmons, Natacha Tchitch, Daniel Vagner, Noelle Santos, Jean-Michel Lenert,
Fanny Coupé, Matthieu Rogué, Nathalie Gaudemer, Philippe Feret, Emma Savouret,
Emmanuel Gaugué, Clémentine Meyer, Gwénaelle Feret 

Woodwinds:
Marc Chantereau, Jean-François Verdier, Bruno Martinez, Anne Regnier,
Jean-François Duquenois, Frédéric Chatoux, Frédéric Hochain, Stéphane Limonaire 

Tracks:
01. Les Enfants S'Ennuient Le Dimanche {Charles Trenet} (4:52)
02. A St Germain Des Prés {Léo Ferré} (4:02)
03. Io Qui Tu Li {Nicky Nicolaï, Aldo Romano} (5:18)
04. Avec Les Anges {Marguerite Monnot, Alexandre Breffort} (2:53)
05. The End Of A Love Affair {Edward Redding} (4:13)
06. Sans Un Mot {Yves Simon, Aldo Romano} (4:35)
07. La Valse Des Lilas {Eddy Marnay, Michel Legrand, Eddy Barclay} (4:48)
08. Les Papillons De Nuit {Claude Nougaro, Aldo Romano} (3:45)
09. Estate {Bruno Brighetti, Bruno Martino} (4:19)
10. Rue De Douai {Claude Nougaro, Aldo Romano} (4:06)
11. L' Étang {Paul Misraki} (4:26)
12. So In Love {Cole Porter} (3:58)
13. Les Clowns {Gianni Esposito} (3:58) 

Total Time: 55:18 

Credits:
Producer - Aldo Romano, Francis Dreyfus
Executive Producer- Christian Pégand
Arranger, Director - Jean-Claude Petit
Sound Engineer - René Ameline
Assistant - Laurent Binder
Assistant, Mastering Assistant - Benjamin Joubert
Photography - Sonia Sieff 

Les Enfants S'Ennuient Le Dimanche

Kenny Wheeler - California Daydream (1992)

This is a wonderful live album by British Jazz trumpeter / composer Kenny Wheeler, recorded in a Paris club in a quartet setting with American pianist Jeff Gardner, Dutch bassist Hein Van De Geyn and French drummer Andre Ceccarelli. Together they perform seven original compositions; three by Wheeler and two each by Van De Geyn and Gardner. Although seemingly just another live Wheeler recording, this album presents one of the most intimate and focused opportunities to listen to his artistry and his Masterly performances happening right in front of the listener's ears, completely undisturbed. Wheeler is the primary soloist here and all the seven tracks feature his extended solo performances which can rarely be found on any other recording of this kind with such emphasis and intensity. All three musicians playing alongside Wheeler are veteran performers, with highly developed Jazz sensitivities, who accompany the Master amicably and support him all the way through, sensing quite naturally the rare opportunity to let him express his sublime artistry and staying relatively in the shadows during the proceedings. Van De Geyn and Gardiner perform a few splendid solos themselves, but as already stated this is pure unadulterated Kenny Wheeler in the spotlight for us to delight in. Of course, this is an absolute must have for Wheeler fans and admirers, and although quite difficult to find these days, it is definitely worth pursuing. Absolutely delightful serving of Wheeler at his very best! ~ Adam Baruch, adambaruch.com. 

Musidisc Records, 500292, 1992
Recorded 10th & 11th December, 1991 Live at "Alligators" in Paris, France 

Musicians:
Kenny Wheeler - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Jeff Gardner - Piano
Hein Van De Geyn - Double Bass
André Ceccarelli - Drums 

Tracks:
1. The Imminent Immigrant {Kenny Wheeler} (6:40)
2. California Daydream {Hein Van De Geyn} (6:27)
3. Though Dreamers Die {Hein Van De Geyn} (7:37)
4. Salina Street {Kenny Wheeler} (6:37)
5. Mistica {Jeff Gardner} (6:27)
6. Voodoo {Jeff Gardner} (9:38)
7. Bethan {Kenny Wheeler} (5:01) 

Total Time: 48:32 

Credits:
Producer - François Lacharme
Executive-Producer - Denis Lacharme
Recording [Direct to Digital] - Etienne Dreuilhe, Jean-Pierre Smadja
Design [Conception] - Stéphanie Brichet
Photography [Cover & Booklet] - François Lacharme

Flavio Boltro 5et - Joyful (2012)

For those who do not yet know: Flavio Boltro is one of those natural talents thrown down from the sky to the Italian land that plays the jazz trumpet and who preferred to move to France to practice this music. His new record is a beautiful example of what today's jazz can be, drawing from the best jazz tradition of the 1960s, from those records released by two German Jews who fled Europe, Alfred Lion and Frank Wolff, on their label which took the name of Blue Note. Flavio Boltro pays tribute to two of their most famous artists, Lee Morgan and Horace Silver, of whom he plays some famous compositions at the end of the album. Boltro's themes, solos, style, everything brings us back to a jazz season projected in the contemporary world, see for example the contribution of Alex Ligertwood, former singer with Santana, who performs some songs, including the famous Every Breath You Take by Sting, rendered in a very singular version, far from that of the author. Boltro has chosen a nice group for his music, there is Rosario Giuliani on the soprano sax and on the alto sax to support the leader with well thought out solos, and then the rhythm led by Pietro Lussu on piano and electric keyboards together with Darryll Hall on bass and André Ceccarelli on drums. The entire record is pervaded by the solos of an artist rich in talent and confident in his own technical means (great the duo together with Darryll Hall on the famous Over the Rainbow standard), eclectic between songs more in the tradition of acoustic jazz and others more passages on radios, like the cover of Sting's song. It is difficult to imagine a success on a global scale, like that of other colleagues, but the music of the disc is listened to with pleasure, put together with wit in the editing phase. A record that still honors that Italian jazz that draws from the African American tradition, far from Mediterranean languors and sighs. ~ by Vittorio, Musiczoom.It. [Translated from Italian]

Bonsaï Music, BON 120501, 2012

Recorded 24^th October-26^th November, 2011

At Such Production Studio; Virus Studio, Poggibonsi, Italy

Musicians:

Flavio Boltro - Trumpet

Rosario Giuliani - Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone

Pietro Lussu - Piano, Electric Keyboards

Darryl Hall - Bass

André Ceccarelli - Drums

Alex Ligertwood - Vocals (#3,5,8)

Tracks:

1. Mister Italo {Flavio Boltro} (6:27)

2. Black Jack {Flavio Boltro} (4:25)

3. See You Tomorrow {Flavio Boltro} (6:56)

4. Piccola Nina {Flavio Boltro} (6:38)

5. Every Breath You Take {Sting} (4:00)

6. Bora Bora {Flavio Boltro} (7:16)

7. Over The Rainbow {E.Y. Harburg, Harold Arlen} (3:08)

8. Sidewinder {Lee Morgan} (5:24)

9. The Preacher {Horace Silver} (1:54)

Credits:

Producer - Pierre Darmon, Emmanuel Jolivet

Engineer - Alessandro Guasconi

Mixing, Mastering - Julien Birto

Photography - Basile Picard

Total Time: 46:08