Aldo Romano Quartet - Jazz À Porquerolles (2008)

Here we have a splendid concert by the Aldo Romano Quartet comprised of some of the best jazz musicians coming out of Europe. Drummer Aldo Romano has over many decades continued to composed and assemble an amazing array of bands showcasing his music. Many musicians have come into their own as a result of his expressive appeal through his love of jazz. This quartet is no exception, whereby he is joined by Italian virtuoso clarinetist Mauro Negri, the exciting French saxophonist Géraldine Laurent and bassist Henri Texier. Essentially, this band appears on Aldo's "Just Jazz" album released on Dreyfus Jazz (2008) with many of the tunes included here. The majority of the tunes for this date are penned by Aldo with the exception of two "Black And Blue" and "Maple Leaf Rag". The group as a whole presents an excellent program that truly verifies the soaring individual talents of all players, enjoy! 

Mezzo Live
Recorded during 2008 at Jazz à Porquerolles, Parc National de Port-Cros, France 

Musicians:
Aldo Romano - Drums
Géraldine Laurent - Saxophone
Mauro Negri - Clarinet
Henri Texier - Double Bass 

Tracks:
1. Blue Bamboo Blue (Aldo Romano)
2. Cité Soleil (Aldo Romano)
3. Chick Webb (Aldo Romano)
4. Handle With Care (Aldo Romano)
5. Black And Blue (Andy Razaf, Fats Waller, Harry Brooks)
6. Maple Leaf Rag (Scott Joplin)
7. Lontananza (Aldo Romano) 

Total Time: 52:37

Barbara Raimondi - Singin' Ornette!!! [Mr. Coleman's Music] (2013)

In 2013 Raimondi releases her new cd, a tribute to Mr. Ornette Coleman's music Singin' Ornette!!!, recorded with Mauro Negri (altosax and clarinet), Furio Di Castri (bass) and Enzo Zirilli (drums). The "Singin 'Ornette" project was born from a first love, which, several years ago, opened Barbara Raimondi's musical conception towards a so-called "parallel" universe, that of Mr. Coleman's music and more generally, towards the sincerity of his language. Obviously, being a vocal project, emphasis was placed on the most melodic trait of Coleman's expressiveness, highlighting a vein of singing that rarely appears so characteristic in his music. A real celebration of his world, therefore, and a sincere tribute from the whole group ..." 

Blue Serge, BLS 055, 2013
Recorded August, 2012 (#1-8,10) at Only Music Studio, Bruino, Torino, Italy;
October, 2012 (#9) at Quadra Recording Studio, London (UK) 

Musicians:
Barbara Raimondi - Vocals, Arranger
Mauro Negri - Alto Saxophone, Clarinet
Furio Di Castri - Bass
Enzo Zirilli - Drums
Ross Stanley - Hammond Organ (#8)
Orlando Manfredi - Additional Vocals 

Tracks:
01. The Missing [The Blessing] {Ornette Coleman; Barbara Raimondi} (5:57)
02. Una Muy Bonita {Ornette Coleman; Margo Gurian} (4:06)
03. Kathelin Gray [Intro] (2:02)
04. Kathelin Gray [Theme] {Ornette Coleman, Pat Metheny} (3:24)
05. Turn Around Me [Turnaround] {Ornette Coleman; Barbara Raimondi} (4:39)
06. Tone Dialing [Congeniality] {Ornette Coleman; Barbara Raimondi} (5:40)
07. Check Up {Ornette Coleman} (4:21)
08. Is It Forever? {Ornette Coleman; Barbara Raimondi} (7:39)
09. Mr. Ornette [Peace] {Ornette Coleman; Barbara Raimondi} (5:58)
10. Lonely Woman {Ornette Coleman; Margo Gurian} (8:16) 

Total Time: 50:02 

Credits:
Producer - Sergio Cossu
Recording - Carlo Miori (#1-8,10), Enrico Pinna (#9)
Front Cover, Graphic Artwork - Marina Vettorato
Mixing - Claudio Chiara
Front And Back Cover Photo - Valerio Grande
Inlay Photos - Stefano Barni
Liner Notes [English] - Jim Mullen 

"In taking on this most challenging of projects-- to sing the music of Ornette Coleman-- Barbara Raimondi has made it a triumph. Singing both wordlessly and with her own lyrics, she perfectly captures the bittersweet moods of Ornette's complex melodies. On a cd that contains many gems, I think "Is it forever" a masterpiece." ~ Jim Mullen. London, February 2013.