Pietro Tonolo, Arnie Somogyi, Jorge Rossy, Joe Chambers - Passport (2012)

Saxophonist Pietro Tonolo, known for his collaborations with Paul Motian and Gil Goldstein, has collaborated with Joe Chambers, a master drummer and vibe player, who has often collaborated with him in the past. Jorge Rossi was the drummer for the early Mehldau Trio. In their home country of England, they formed a new unit called "Passport" with Ernie Somogyi, who is active as a leading session bassist not only in jazz but also in the world of pop and rock. Starting with #1, a bluesy arrangement of a difficult piece by Steve Lacy, with whom Tonolo co-starred in his youth, Tonolo's #3 and #7, which have a strong post-bop feel that shines in his dry tenor and soprano, and orthodox on #7. Rossi's #2 and #6, and Chambers' beautiful and dreamy ballad #4 that makes use of his own vibe solo. The difficult piece #8, which sounds like a normal waltz but actually has a very complex and mysterious melody, is a piece by Somogyi. And a number of original songs that strongly reflect the individuality of the members who wrote them. Also includes covers by George Cables, Wayne Shorter, and Kurt Weill. Although none of the songs are long and are compactly compiled, all the members deliver solid solos, making it a rewarding listen. This is a masterpiece that unfolds a variety of worlds on one CD. ~ From album info. [Translated from Japanese] 

Parco Della Musica Records, MPR 036CD, 2012
Recorded 13th and 14th March, 2011 at the Auditorium Parco Della Musica, Rome, Italy 

Musicians:
Pietro Tonolo - Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone
Jorge Rossy - Piano, Drums [Left Side] (#3,4,7,8,10)
Joe Chambers - Vibraphone, Drums [Right Side] (#1-3,5,6,8,9)
Arnie Somogyi - Bass 

Tracks:
01. Esteem {Steve Lacy} (7:30)
02. Puerta {Jorge Rossy} (5:36)
03. Descalabro {Pietro Tonolo} (4:05)
04. Ruth {Joe Chambers} (6:05)
05. Phantom Of The City {George Cables} (4:58)
06. Not So Easy {Jorge Rossy} (6:35)
07. Mimi {Pietro Tonolo} (4:45)
08. JJ {Arnie Somogyi} (5:33)
09. This Is New {Kurt Weill} (6:28)
10. Rio {Wayne Shorter} (4:59) 

Total Time: 56:40 

Ruth

Riccardo Zegna - Barcarola (2002)

Riccardo Zegna is an Italian jazz pianist, an extraordinary soloist at the piano, who hates stardom and lives secluded in Loano, far from the clamor of city life. Here, he showcases a unique album comprised of piano, saxophones, accordion and cello. The ambience of this project, that he creates is one of tranquil, but very expressive chamber jazz music. He is joined by a very talented bunch of other noted Italian jazz musicians. Included in this grouping is the renowned Italian reed player Pietro Tonolo and scintillating accordionist Gil Goldstein. Also drawn into this magical mix is the spellbinding bowing of cellist Enrico Di Crosta. The songs are a succession of lyrical moments and improvisation. Together, they weave in and out, producing a beautiful and relaxing amalgam of fragments all penned by Riccardo. He draws on inspiration brought forth from maturity found in a search of exceptional sound mixes that are and will be truly pleasing to all music lovers, enjoy! 

EGEA Records, SCA 095, 2002
Recorded July, 2002 at Auditorium Saint Cecilia, Perugia, Italy 

Musicians:
Riccardo Zegna - Piano
Pietro Tonolo - Soprano & Tenor Saxophones
Gil Goldstein - Accordion
Enrico Di Crosta - Cello 

Tracks:
1. Barcarola (7:31)
2. Leitmotiv (7:00)
3. Profumo Di Vienna (8:51)
4. Tarantella (6:46)
5. Minuetto (5:44)
6. As Sa Nen L'Indovino (5:58)
7. Pastiche (5:20)
8. No Valse (4:39) 

All Compositions by Riccardo Zegna 

Total Time: 51:53 

Credits:
Sound Technician - Francesco Ciafuglia
Photo - Adriano Scognarrillo 

As Sa Nen L'Indovino

Pietro Tonolo - Mirando (2009)

Pietro Tonolo is by no means an ostentatious musician, but he is an artist reminiscent of an Italian craftsman. Since appearing on the scene in the mid-1980s, he has participated in many works as a sideman as well as a leader. Proof lies in his ability to show various tastes for each participating band while having his own worldly outlook and sensitivity that is clearly expressed through his own works, something that is not always achieved by most jazz musicians and composers. In this respect this album allows the listener to immerse themselves into Pietro's beautiful and lyrical world. Adjacent and intertwined in this world is the virtuoso Gil Goldstein overdubbing the accordion and piano to create a truly delicate realm, all the while the tenor and soprano plays a painful and drowsy entanglement typical of the atmosphere found on many EGEA releases. With the inclusion of David Boato on trumpet, a further enthrallment and sharpness is embodied despite the slow beat, something very unique to the sensibility of these Italian musicians, a far cry from the loud brash musing that emanate from American counterparts. All players rally to the cause to truly create a beautiful fusion of Egea's unique chamber music sound and with that of an exciting European hard bop. 

Egea Records, SCA 149, 2009 

Musicians:
Pietro Tonolo - Saxophones
Gil Goldstein - Piano, Accordion
Riccardo Del Fra - Double Bass
Francesco Sotgiu - Drums, Percussion
David Boato - Trumpet (#2,8)
Paolo Birro - Piano (#3,9) 

Tracks:
01. Ipnosi [Hypnosis] (4:39)
02. Professore [Professor] (5:11)
03. Bastia Fuori [Fortification Outside] (4:23)
04. Struscio [Stroll] (4:25)
05. Molini [Mill] (4:33)
06. T. Originale [Original T.] (6:29)
07. Onirico [Dreamlike] (2:35)
08. Graticolato [Trellis] (6:25)
09. Bastia Entro [Fortification Within] (5:45)
10. Progresso [Progress] (5:18) 

All Compositions by Pietro Tonolo 

Total Time: 49:43

Pietro Live with Gil, Riccardo & Francesco

Enrico Pieranunzi - In That Dawn Of Music (1990-93)

A marvelous compilation of works by Enrico Pieranunzi spanning the years 1990 till 1993. All tracks are taken from live dates spread across venues in Denmark, Italy, Germany and Switzerland. As a result, he is accompanied by unique players from those countries whilst on tour. Many of these groupings have appeared on some of his Soul Note records from this period, but like other ‘giveaways’ by the Musica Jazz magazine these tracks have been compiled from unreleased ‘live’ recordings. So many thanks to that magazine for promoting and perpetuating another fantastic resource for Jazz Lovers throughout the world. 

Musica Jazz/Soul Note, SNMJ 003-2, 1993
13th August, 1990 (#1) Broadcast from Danish Radio, Copenhagen, Denmark
12th March 1993 (#2) at Ivrea Jazz Festival, Turin, Italy
27th August, 1992 (#3) at Roccella Ionica, Calabria, Italy
21st November, 1992 (#4) at "Fabrik", Hamburg, Germany
13th December, 1990 (#5) Broadcast, Radio Suisse Romande, Lausanne, Switzerland
27th August, 1992 (#6) Live at Roccella Ionica, Calabria, Italy
18th April, 1990 (#7) in Rome, Italy
20th November, 1992 (#8) at "Jazzhouse", Copenhagen, Denmark 

Musicians:
Enrico Pieranunzi - Piano (All Tracks)
Pietro Tonolo - Tenor Saxophone (#4)
Stefano D'Anna - Tenor Saxophone (#7)
Mads Vinding - Bass (#1)
Enzo Pietropaoli - Bass (#4,7,8)
Marc Johnson - Bass (#5)
Alex Riel - Drums (#1)
Paul Motian - Drums (#3,6)
Fabrizio Sferra - Drums (#4,8)
Roberto Gatto - Drums (#7) 

Tracks:
1. Someday My Prince Will Come {Larry Morey, Frank Churchill} (7:57)
2. Impromptu No. 5 {Enrico Pieranunzi} (4:30)
3. Anthropology {Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie} (6:52)
4. What's What {Enrico Pieranunzi} (12:06)
5. Je Ne Sais Quoi {Enrico Pieranunzi} (8:52)
6. Straight No Chaser {Thelonious Monk} (4:48)
7. In That Dawn Of Music {Enrico Pieranunzi} (7:39)
8. Someday My Prince Will Come {Larry Morey, Frank Churchill} (11:22) 

Total Time: 64:06 

Notes:
Given away free with "Musica Jazz" Magazine, n. 10/93

Pietro Tonolo - Luna Park (2000)

A very pleasant album by some of Italy's top-notch jazz musicians. The concept for the album is structured on compositions reflecting the joy emanating from amusement parks, and hence the title 'Luna Park'. Many of the players are renowned in their own country, but it is different case outside Europe. The album in particular is a continued showcase of the superb talents of saxophonist Pietro Tonolo, trumpeter Giampaolo Casati, trombonist Roberto Rossi and clarinetist Gabriel Mirabassi. Completing the ensemble are probably lesser known musicians, but equally skillful and they certainly come together to complement the main players. Pietro Tonolo is the nominated leader for the album and contributes a number of his own compositions. The bulk of the other tunes are penned by other Italian composers, the exception being "Klop" written by Duke Ellington but arranged brilliantly by baritone saxophonist Rossano Emili. The main delight of the album is its calm and joyful tone with all players expressing first-rate musicianship. If you haven't already done so, I truly recommend you explore other albums listing these artists, Enjoy!

Egea Records, SCA 072, 2000
Recorded 17^th & 18^th May, 2000 At Teatro Della Sapienza, Perugia 

Musicians:
Pietro Tonolo - Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone
Giampaolo Casati - Trumpet, Cornet
Roberto Rossi - Trombone
Gabriele Mirabassi - Clarinet, Clarinet [Piccolo]
Massimo Pirone - Tuba
Rossano Emili - Baritone Saxophone, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet
Francesca Rossi - Vocals (#10) 

Tracks:
01. Semitango {Pietro Tonolo} (4:26)
02. Mangiafuoco {Leandro Piccioni} (2:46)
03. Luna Park {Pietro Tonolo} (4:54)
04. The Faboulous Vassil Aprilov {Piero Leveratto} (3:14)
05. La Banda Elastica {Pasquale Laino} (6:57)
06. Klop {Arr. Rossano Emili, Duke Ellington} (4:00)
07. Barena {Pietro Tonolo} (5:45)
08. Milvo {Arr. Pietro Tonolo, Diego Soto Espinoza} (4:54)
09. Artemisia {Piero Leveratto} (2:47)
10. Ninna Nanna A Sette E Venti {Giancarlo Rizzardi} (3:43) 

Total Time: 43:26

Pietro Tonolo - Italian Songs (2005)

Pietro Tonolo on ‘Italian Songs’ brings together an international ensemble, focusing on the work of a number of Italian writers. Pianist Gil Goldstein adds an underlying lyricism and harmonic richness, lending the straight-ahead swinger "Non Mi Dire Chi Sci and tender ballad "E La Chiamano Estate undeniable jazz credibility. But on the melancholy "...E Penso a Te he layers an accordion track that instantly draws the American and Italian traditions together. On "Almeno tu Nell'Universo, a duet featuring his accordion with Tonolo's soaring soprano, the two bring together folkloric ambience with a more abstract classical impressionism. Drummer Joe Chambers relies on a more straightforward approach, with his lithe sense of swing defines the waltz of "Senza Fine and the light bossa of "Metti Una Sera a Cena, along with Essiet Okun Essiet's robust and ever-dependable bass lines. He's also comfortable veering towards more experimental territory on the mercurial "Terra Mia, featuring Tonolo exploring uncharacteristic extremes, and layers vibraphone on the poignant "Pensantodi for added color. Tonolo's virtuosity is tempered by a melody-rich approach that stays close to the center, despite the occasional hint that he's clearly capable of moving farther afield. Certainly Goldstein, Essiet, and Chambers have proven themselves equally at ease with more outré contexts over their long careers. But the ambience of Italian Songs is one of soft edges and smooth surfaces - easy on the ears but multilayered enough to continue revealing on repeat listens. ~ Extract by John Kelman, AAJ.

Egea Records, SCA 118, 2005
Recorded 23^rd-24^th May, 2004 At Cervinara Recording, Italy 

Musicians:
Pietro Tonolo - Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone
Gil Goldstein - Piano, Accordion
Essiet Okun Essiet - Double Bass
Joe Chambers - Drums, Vibraphone 

Tracks:
01. ...E Penso A Te {Battisti, Mogol} (5:17)
02. Non Mi Dire Chi Se {Bindi, Calabrese} (3:59)
03. E La Chiamano Estate {Zanin, Califano, Martino} (5:16)
04. Senza Fine {Paoli} (5:39)
05. Metti Una Sera A Cena {Morricone} (6:06)
06. Sincerità {Cocciante} (6:46)
07. Stringimi Forte I Polsi {Carpi, Chiosso, Fo} (4:00)
08. Almeno Tu Nell'Universo {Fabrizio, Lauzi} (4:19)
09. Terra Mia {Nava} (5:00)
10. Pensandoti {Calvagna, Bersani} (4:50)
11. Marcia De Esculapio {Piccioni} (2:37) 

Total Time: 53:54

Credits:
Mixing and Mastering - Angelo Cioffi
Graphics - Andrea Staiano
Cover Art - Annalisa Ciaramella
Photos - Angelo Marchese