Gianni Basso Quartet - Gianni Basso In Bari - You're My Everything (2003)

In Italy, the tenor saxophonist Gianni Basso has a similar status to the trumpeter Dusko Goykovich here; they are also comparable because both have repeatedly worked with the same classics of American jazz. It is thanks to the tireless enthusiasm of the producer York von Prittwitz that the original voices of Italian mainstream jazz can also be heard here. In Bari he recorded the current Basso quartet and captured a great moment. In his warm-sounding, completely naturally swinging playing, Gianni Basso combines the elegance of a Stan Getz with the committed lyricism of a Ben Webster. The program of originals and standards is precisely tailored to this musical ideal, and his accompanists could not be better chosen. Guido Di Leone's guitar combines the single-line sophistication of a Jim Hall with a slightly metallic attack that has not been heard since Tiny Grimes. Bassist Giuseppe Bassi plays wonderfully rooted, similar to a Pierre Michelot four-to-the-bar, and is a virtuoso but never intrusive soloist; and Salvatore Tranchini's drumming - especially the brushwork - gives this springy beat a light-footed grace - che allegria! [what joy!] Modern mainstream can be so convincing, so heartfelt and touching when the great originals cultivate it. ~ Thomas Fitterling, www.rondomagazin.de. [Translated from German] 

YVP Music, YVP3107, 2003
Recorded 9th April, 2002 at Studio Sorriso, Bari, Italy 

Musicians:
Gianni Basso - Tenor Saxophone
Guido Di Leone - Guitar
Giuseppe Bassi - Double Bass
Salvatore Tranchini - Drums

Tracks:
01. You're My Everything {Harry Warren, Mort Dixon} (4:03)
02. My Old Friend {Gianni Basso} (6:47)
03. It's You Or No One {Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne} (5:20)
04. Blues For Pietro {Gianni Basso} (4:21)
05. Minton's Mood {Guido Di Leone} (5:15)
06. Thinking Of You {Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar} (6:22)
07. Somebody Loves Me {George Gershwin} (6:10)
08. My Foolish Heart {Victor Young} (8:21)
09. Mister G.B. {Gianni Basso} (3:56)
10. Marizio "Nunez" Caldura {Guido Di Leone} (5:17)
11. Swinging Blues {Gianni Basso} (5:56) 

Total Time: 61:53 

Credits:
Producer - Gianni Basso, Guido Di Leone, Giuseppe Bassi
Executive Producer, Liner Notes - York von Prittwitz
Sound Engineer - Tommy Cavalieri
Graphic Design - Tonio Del Vecchio 

Guido Di Leone Trio with Ottonando Brass Ensemble - Isole (2004)

A 2003 recording Guido Di Leone is the signature guitarist of YVP. This album is an interesting attempt to use a trio with fellow YVP regulars Giuseppe Bassi and Massimo Manzi, a brass ensemble instead of an orchestra, and sometimes a soloist as a session member for a small arrangement (quartet or quintet). Apart from five of Guido's own compositions the ensemble tackles a few well-known standards "East Of The Sun And West Of The Moon", "Alone Together" and Dolphy's "Les". In addition, two other pieces are included by composers L. Giannatempo and ensemble member Marco Sannin. Guido's arrangements uphold a very sophisticated performance of the above-mentioned standards. His own tunes offer a complex, but invigorating journey augmented by the Ottonando Brass Ensemble. Overall, a genuine exploration of music that further highlights the virtuosity of this skilled guitarist.

 YVP Music, YVP3123, 2004
Recorded 4th-5th December, 2003 at Studio Sorriso, Bari, Italy 

Musicians:
Guido Di Leone - Guitar
Giuseppe Bassi - Double Bass
Massimo Manzi - Drums
Ottonando Brass Ensemble:
Mino Lacirignola - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Trumpet Piccolo Eb, Bandleader
Marco Sannini - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Donato Semeraro - French Horn
Giuseppe Zizzi - Trombone
Domenico Zizzi - Tuba 

Tracks:
01. Isole [Islands] {Guido Di Leone} (11:20)
02. Il Momento Infranto {Guido Di Leone} (6:20)
03. East Of The Sun And West Of The Moon {Brooks Bowman} (5:50)
04. Composed On Piano For Mal Waldron {Guido Di Leone} (10:26)
05. Alone Together {Howard Dietz, Arthur Schwartz} (4:23)
06. Rota E Fellini {Guido Di Leone} (5:14)
07. It Might Be True {L. Giannatempo} (7:10)
08. Les {Eric Dolphy} (4:25)
09. Tema Per Un Film Che Non C'è{Guido Di Leone} (5:55)
10. The Tale Of The Black Cat {Marco Sannini} (5:14) 

Total Time: 66:23 

Credits:
Producer - York von Prittwitz
Sound Engineer - Tommy Cavalieri
Graphic Design - Tonio Delvecchio 

The Tale Of The Black Cat