Lee Konitz & Mario Rusca - Where's The Blues? (1997)

Here we have another fine example of Mario Rusca and his trio in action. This time having Lee Konitz at the helm is truly inspirational for both maestros. Lee plays alto throughout except on three tunes; two involve just the Mario Rusca Trio and another a piece for solo piano. The trio consists of a different bassist Lucio Terzano but the same drummer Tony Arco as heard on “Tony Scott with Mario Rusca Trio - The Old Lion Roars” the previous year. Lee’s tone matches perfectly the scintillating chords of Mario’s piano musings. Both artists are clearly in control and virtuosos in their own right. The majority of the selection are jazz standards with Mario contributing two and lee one of his own. Overall, there are no dull spots within this session, if anything this album will continue to entertain jazz lovers for many years to come, enjoy!

Giants Of Jazz, CD 53303, 1997

Recorded 3^rd March, 1997 At Mondial Sound, Milano, Italy

Musicians:

Lee Konitz - Alto Saxophone (#1-3,5-7,10)

Mario Rusca - Piano, Solo (#9)

Lucio Terzano - Bass (#1-8,10)

Tony Arco - Drums (#1-8,10)

Tracks:

01. Where's The Blues? {Mario Rusca} (5:30)

02. Beautiful Love {Haven Gillespie, Victor Young} (5:35)

03. Thingin' {Lee Konitz} (7:39)

04. Summertime {George Gershwin} (4:46)

05. To Lee Or Not To Lee {Mario Rusca} (10:27)

06. On Green Dolphin Street {Bronislaw Kaper, Ned Washington} (6:37)

07. Autumn Leaves {Jacques Prévert, Joseph Kosma} (7:33)

08. Anthropology {Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie} (4:39)

09. Have You Met Miss Jones? {Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart} (5:35)

10. I Should Care {Axel Stordahl, Paul Weston, Sammy Cahn} (6:06)

Credits:

Engineer - Walter Biondi

Photography - Boris Vom Scheidt, Luca A. D'Agostino, Renato Renzini

Photography, Graphics - Marco Cambieri

Total Time: 64:27

Tony Scott with Mario Rusca Trio - The Old Lion Roars (1996)

Tony Scott on his 75^th birthday joins up with the Mario Rusca Trio and sets about re-interpreting a number of very familiar jazz standards as well as a couple of his own tunes; one on which he scats. His expertise on the clarinet is phenomenal and as the album titles suggests 'The Old Lion Roars'. There is no denying that having Mario Rusca on piano does not bolster Tony's virtuosity. Of course, all this wouldn't be achievable if it wasn't due the merits of Rosario Bonaccorso on bass and the brilliant driving force of Tony Arco on drums. Included in the selection are two tunes penned by Mario and played with such finesse, Enjoy!

Giants Of Jazz, CD 53301, 1996

Recorded 24^th, 25^th, 26^th June, 1996 At Mondial Sound, Milan, Italy

Musicians:

Tony Scott - Clarinet, Vocals

Mario Rusca - Piano

Rosario Bonaccorso - Bass

Tony Arco - Drums

Tracks:

01. Blues For Bird {Tony Scott} (5:34)

02. We'll Be Together Again {Carl T. Fischer, Frankie Laine} (7:56)

03. Scott Scat {Tony Scott} (5:57)

04. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes {Jerome Kern, Otto Harbach} (6:13)

05. 'Round Midnight {Thelonious Monk} (8:25)

06. Mood Indigo {Duke Ellington, Barney Bigard, Irving Mills} (5:33)

07. Take Five And More {Mario Rusca} (4:31)

08. Solitude {Duke Ellington, Eddie De Lang, Irving Mills} (6:02)

09. Feel {Mario Rusca} (5:29)

10. Bye Bye Blackbird {Ray Henderson, Mort Dixon} (6:32)

Credits:

Recording Engineer - Walter Biondi

Photo - Orange (TR)

Cover Art - Cinzia Scott

Total Time: 62:12

Mario Rusca Quintet - Recreations In Jazz (1976)

A great un-earthed session never previously released by the great Italian pianist Mario Rusca. He is joined by the impressive saxophonist Larry Nocella and a very dynamic Italian rhythm section and percussionist. All tunes are penned and arranged by Mari Rusca and even though the pieces are quite short by today’s standards, they still give the group enough room to develop some very creative and entertaining jazz, enjoy!

Easy Tempo, ET 937 CD, 2001

Recorded in 1976 At Barigozzi Studio, Milano, Italy

Musicians:

Mario Rusca - Piano, Fender Piano

Larry Nocella - Soprano & Tenor Saxophones

Paolo Tomelleri - Fender Bass

Paolo Pelegatti - Drums

Mauricio Chappetta - Percussion

Tracks:

01. Smiling Harry (5:27)

02. Recreations (2:24)

03. Dynamic (2:21)

04. Black Safari (2:41)

05. Free Impulse (2:44)

06. First Intuition (1:35)

07. Joyette (3:15)

08. Astral Bird (2:54)

09. Intimate Waltz (2:51)

10. Bizarre (2:45)

11. High Street (2:28)

12. Well Balanced Jump (2:29)

All Compositions & Arrangements by Mario Rusca

Total Time: 35:54

Enrico Rava & Mario Rusca - D.N.A. (1997) [re-rip]

Enrico Rava needs no introduction as a great trumpet player. However here he is joined with another crack Italian jazz combo led by Mario Rusca, a highly acclaimed pianist throughout Europe, especially in his native country Italy. Born in Turin, he studied classical piano and then moved to Milan to continue his studies in harmony and composition. During the seventies he worked and recorded with the famous violinist Joe Venuti. Later he formed his own quartet "Suspension" with Tullio de Piscopo, George Baiocco and Bruno Tommaso. In later years he worked with some of the most 'important American musicians including: Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, Al Gray, Art Farmer, Lou Donaldson, Curtis Fuller, Lee Konitz, Bob Berg, Kay Winding, Jimmy Owens, Toot's Thielemans, Kenny Clarke, Stan Getz, Steve Lacy, Steve Grosmann, Eddie L. Joe Davis, Dusko Goykovic and Pepper Adams, Gianni Basso, Franco Ambrosetti, Woody Show and of course with Enrico Rava on this Album. Essentially “D.N.A.” is another brilliant expose for both artists, not to overlook Rusca’s well-chosen rhythm section. Together they deliver an exciting collection of both Rusca originals and some classic jazz standards. The listener cannot avoid been enthralled by the music. Enjoy!

Giants Of Jazz, 53302, 1997

Recorded 21st-24th December, 1996 at Mondial Sound, Milan, Italy

Personnel:

Enrico Rava - Trumpet (#1-5,7)

Mario Rusca - Piano

Lucio Terzano - Bass

Tony Arco - Drums

Tracks:

01. D.N.A. {Mario Rusca} (5:22)

02. How High The Moon {Nancy Hamilton, Morgan Lewis} (4:08)

03. Out Of Nowhere {Johnny Green, Edward Heyman} (10:13)

04. Flawless {Mario Rusca} (6:40)

05. Bye Bye Blackbird {Ray Henderson, Mort Dixon} (9:08)

06. Falling In Love With Love {Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers} (8:29)

07. My Foolish Heart {Ned Washington, Victor Young} (9:15)

08. You And The Night And The Music {Howard Dietz, Arthur Schwartz} (5:24)

09. Flash Steps {Mario Rusca} (4:44)

10. Chromosome Blues {Mario Rusca} (4:31)

Credits:

Producers - Walter Gürtler & Vanni Moretto

Recording Engineer - Walter Biondi

Cover Photography (Enrico Rava); Luca A. d'Agostino

Other Photos - Boris Vom Scheidt

Bill Coleman - In Milan with Lino Patruno & His Friends (1972) [vinyl>flac, re-rip]

Back on 23^rd April 2012, I posted this gem at the old Crypt saying:

Here we have another great musician backed by an impressive Italian jazz group. In 1972, Bill Coleman (1904-1981) trumpeter extraordinaire linked up with Lino Patruno and his band for a once in lifetime session. The resulting album showcases Bill in full swing singing and blowing away on his trumpet and flugelhorn. The atmosphere is of overall joy and entertainment with all the musicians giving it their best interpreting some classic old jazz standards. The guitar and bass work by Lino Patruno is exemplary. Other players of note include Mario Rusca on piano, Bruno Longhi on clarinet and Sergio Rigon on flute. A highlight is certainly “I Want A Little Girl”. These tracks are taken from the veteran Italian Durium label. Under the suggestion of PoppaChubby, I finally got around to re-rip this beauty, now presented with greater fidelity. Quite a task considering this LP has been a well-loved and often played album, Enjoy!

DURIUM Records, ms. A 77313, 1972

Recorded 1st & 2nd December, 1972 at the Durium Studio, Milan, Italy

Personnel:

Bill Coleman - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Vocals

Lino Patruno - Guitar, Bass (#A1,A3,B4)

Gianni Acocella - Trombone

Bruno Longhi - Clarinet

Sergio Rigon - Tenor Saxophone, Flute

Paolo Tomelleri - Tenor Saxophone (#B2,B4)

Mario Rusca - Piano

Giancarlo Cinti - Bass

Giorgio Vanni - Drums

Track Listing:

Side A

A1. Basin Street Blues {Spencer Williams} (6:24)

A2. Honeysuckle Rose {Fats Waller, Andy Razal} (5:15)

A3. I Want A Little Girl {Billy Moll, Murray Mencher} (7:20)

Side B

B1. Pennies From Heaven {Johnny Burke, Arthur Johnston} (4:03)

B2. I've Found A New Baby {Jack Palmer, Spencer Williams} (5:16)

B3. Out Of Nowhere {Johnny Green, Edward Heyman} (3:27)

B4. Perdido {Juan Tizol} (5:50)

Credits:

Sound Technician - Piero Bisleri

Liner Notes - Ennio Vitanza