Stefano D'Anna Quartet - Carousel (1998)

Here is even more music from the Sonny Rollins of Italian jazz. This is perhaps an unfair tag to put on tenor saxophonist Stefano D'Anna. The dub comes not from the fact that D'Anna plays so much like Rollins as much as it is his stature -- the manner in which he carries himself, solos, and leads a band. In this case it is guitarist Fabio Zeppetella, bassist Pietro Ciancaglini, and Roberto Gatto on drums. The band plays a solid program of D'Anna compositions that range from modern spires of post-bop intelligence ("Coolwalk," "Coasting") to romantic balladry that is so sweet only a master could pull it off without sounding maudlin ("La Valse," "Elena"), and D'Anna and his band make these tracks drip with taste, elegance, aplomb, and mid-tempo blues-outs that offer a deeper view into the inner workings of a quartet ("Carousel," "Seven Years," "Have a Nice Day"). Particularly fascinating is the interplay between D'Anna and Zeppetella, who is a very strong and imaginative soloist in his own right. The two rarely square off, but continually mark each other's paces and inspire to new heights the melodic nuances of D'Anna's harmonic construction. The set closes with "Southern Comfort," an eerie ballad of moody reserve and spatial intervals. It's a curious choice to close a recording in that it never really catches fire, but perhaps, sitting on the outer margins of his oeuvre, this is just what it's supposed to do, as guitar and saxophone trade long fours and the rhythm section just shimmies through the ever-changing meters. But it's a beautiful whisper, too -- one that is fragmented and silky at the same time. D'Anna, though fully mature as a saxophonist, is still, like Sonny Rollins, growing into his music and his sound. To be continued. ~ by Thom Jurek, AMG. 

Splasc(H) Records, CDH 666.2, 1998
Recorded 16th & 17th February, 1998 at Coltempo Studio, Rome, Italy 

Musicians:
Stefano D'Anna - Tenor Sax
Fabio Zeppetella - Guitar
Pietro Ciancaglini - Bass
Roberto Gatto - Drums

Tracks:
1. Carousel (7:21)
2. Coolwalk (6:07)
3. Elena (8:35)
4. Coasting (7:08)
5. Seven Years (6:51)
6. Have A Nice Day (6:09)
7. La Valse (7:41)
8. Southern Comfort (5:33) 

All compositions by Stefano D'Anna 

Total Time: 55:28 

Credits:
Producer - Associazione "Macchina di Suoni" for Splasc(h) Records
Recording & Mixing Engineer - Simone Ciammarughi
Graphic Design - Luigi Naro
Cover Art - Peppo Spagnoli
Photography - Antonio Siragusa, Mauro D'Agati, Roberto Randazzo
Liner Notes - Davide Ielmini

LINK

Seven Years

Guido Di Leone Quartet - Walkin' Ahead (2006)

Guido Di Leone is an Apulian musician who has already been produced by the German label and now returns with a multinational group proposing a mainstream rooted in tradition, fresh and enjoyable for sincerity. His message is clear and his solos understandable, testifying to a passion for jazz that has no limits. With him is the American special guest Allen Hermann on trombone who knows how to give verve to everything, and the Dutch (but resident in Bologna) Barend Middelhoff, a tenor saxophonist with a cool voice and beautiful fluidity in improvisation. The compositions are well chosen and those of the leader and guitarist are well made. The group gratifies the listeners with the elegance of the performances and the overflowing swing, making quality music performed with feeling. The result is a well-made mainstream record, sincere, even if perhaps not very stimulating for those who know the genre well. ~ Extract by AAJ Staff. [Translated From Italian] 

YVP Music, YVP 3138, 2006
Recorded 8th & 9th March, 2006 at Scuola Di Musica Il Pentagramma, Bari, Italy 

Personnel:
Guido Di Leone - Guitar
Barend Middelhoff - Tenor Saxophone
Pietro Ciancaglini - Bass
Alessandro Minetto - Drums
Allen Hermann - Trombone 

Tracklist:
1. Westwood Walk {Gerry Mulligan} (7:07)
2. Walkin' Ahead {Guido Di Leone} (6:42)
3. III Wind {Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler} (9:11)
4. Soft Blow {Guido Di Leone} (5:18)
5. Hypnotic Waltz {Guido Di Leone} (8:11)
6. Spring Board {Guido Di Leone} (6:02)
7. Mia Malinconia [From Amarcord] {Nino Rota} (8:21)
8. The Dishwasher Tune {Guido Di Leone} (5:06)
9. I've Got The World On A String {Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler} (7:00) 

Total Time: 63:04

Credits:
Producer - York v. Prittwitz
Recording & Mastering - Gennaro Mele
Photos - Marco Giuliani
Graphics - Antonio Delvecchio

High Five Quintet - Jazz Desire (2004)

Fabrizio Bosso, is a well-known Italian super trumpeter, and here Fabrizio joins together with other equally successful Italian jazz players as the High Five Quintet, one modelled on genuine hard bop traits. Essentially, this group united to produce some amazing compositions and deliver them with such muscular energy. Within the formation is tenorist Daniele Scannapieco, pianist Luca Mannutza, bassist Pietro Ciancaglini and drummer Lorenzo Tucci; all well-regarded on the continent and leading artists in their own right. Together as a group they have such a gorgeous tone, amazing technique and singing phrasing, all of them masters of their individual instruments. It should be noted that all members of the quintet, except Lorenzo Tucci, contribute some thrilling original compositions to the mix. Overall, portraying the title 'Jazz Desire', this album should appeal to all jazz lovers, regardless of age or taste, enjoy!

Via Veneto Jazz, VVJ 047, 2004
Recorded 8th-10th January, 2008 (#1-9) At Diapason Studio, Rome, Italy;
and February, 2004 (#10,11) in Bari, Italy 

Musicians:
Fabrizio Bosso - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Daniele Scannapieco - Tenor Saxophone
Luca Mannutza - Piano
Pietro Ciancaglini - Double Bass
Lorenzo Tucci - Drums
+
Pierpaolo Bisogno - Bongos (#10,11) 

Tracks:
01. Conversation {Daniele Scannapieco} (6:12)
02. Another One Bites The Dust {John Deacon} (4:41)
03. Libero {Luca Mannutza} (6:00)
04. Dubai {Fabrizio Bosso} (4:53)
05. Campagna {Pietro Ciancaglini} (5:56)
06. Condado {Daniele Scannapieco} (5:22)
07. Shade Of Gira {Luca Mannutza} (6:05)
08. Wide Green Eyes {Fabrizio Bosso} (7:37)
09. The Driver {Pietro Ciancaglini} (4:47) 

Bonus Tracks:
10. Conversation [New Jazz Version] {Daniele Scannapieco} (5:04)
11. Conversation [New Jazz Club Mix] {Daniele Scannapieco} (6:33) 

Total Time: 63:10 

Credits:
Producer - Biagio Pagano
Producer, Arranger - Nicola Conte [Bonus Tracks]
Recording & Mixing - Eugenio Vatta
Mastering - Fabrizio De Carolis
Sound Engineer - Tommy Cavalleri [Bonus Tracks]
Photography - Paolo Soriani
Cover Art - didovalli 

Notes:
Mixed at the Start Studio, Rome
Mastered at Reference Studio, Rome