Chet Baker - At Capolinea (1983)

This studio session is distinguished by excellent, mostly Italian jazz tunes, and a very attractive group of players not usually associated with the trumpeter. The compatible flute of Nicola Stilo wonderfully complements Baker's dry, unemotional sound, while the addition of a third horn, Diane Varva's soprano sax, adds body to the sound. A very strong rhythm section of pianist Michel Grailler, bassist Riccardo dal Frà, and drummer Leo Mitchell rounds out a tight, well-groomed collective. Baker is in fine form, but he skips the vocals. Bruno Martino's "Estate" is hauntingly rendered, while J.J. Johnson's "Lament" is given an attractive reading. This amounts to a very accessible, enjoyable set of tunes -- one that may not win any awards, but should reward those who appreciate the delicate and lovely nature of Chet Baker's art. ~ by Steve Loewy, AMG. 

Red Records, RR 123206 - 2 CD, 1996
Recorded October 1983 at Cap Studio, Milano, Italy 

Musicians:
Chet Baker - Trumpet
Nicola Stilo - Flute
Diane Varva - Soprano Sax
Michel Grailler - Piano
Riccardo Del Frà - Bass
Leo Mitchell - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Estate {Bruno Martino} (11:50)
2. Francamente {Nicola Stilo} (5:13)
3. Dream Drop {Michel Grailler} (4:22)
4. Lament {J.J. Johnson} (9:34)
5. Pioggia Sul Deserto {Nicola Stilo} (5:24)
6. Finestra Sul Mare {Riccardo Del Frà} (6:50) 

Total Time: 43:34 

Credits:
Producer - Giorgio Vanni
Recording Engineer - Gianni Prudente
Remixing Engineer - Giancarlo Barigozzi
Layout - Marco E Alessandra Pennisi
Photo - Paola Bensi

LINK

Dream Drops

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