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

Lanfranco Malaguti - Parole, Parole... (1992)

Lanfranco Malaguti was one of the most popular Italian jazz guitarists. Originally from Rome, where he graduated from Sapienza and also grew artistically. He then lived in Fontanelle, in the province of Treviso, from 1978 to 2011, where he joined his activity as a mathematics teacher with that of a jazz musician. He participated in numerous radio and television broadcasts in Italy, composing some television theme songs for RAI. He participated in numerous reviews and jazz festivals and in particular with Enzo Pietropaoli and Fabrizio Sferra, in 1989 (as the only Italian jazz group), he played with this trio at the "XXI International Festival" of La Spezia and again in 1991 at the "International review" at the Orfeo theater in Milan. In 1989, with Enzo Pietropaoli and Fabrizio Sferra, he released Something, his best-known album, containing exclusively Beatles covers. Also, in 1989 he won the “Top Jazz” award for best new talent. For this album he joins forces with the exuberant tenorist Stefano D'Anna, his stalwart bassist Enzo Pietropaoli and powerful drummer Roberto Gatto. The album covers a broad range of contemporary Italian jazz and popular tunes and the quartet is in top form, clearly interpreting their national heritage with great emotion which demands further listening to truly appreciate the coming together of these wonderful musicians, enjoy! 

Splasc(H) Records, CDH 706.2, 2000
Recorded January, 1992 at Farm Studio's, Cessalto, Treviso, Italy 

Musicians:
Lanfranco Malaguti - Guitar
Stefano D'Anna - Tenor Saxophone
Enzo Pietropaoli - Bass
Roberto Gatto - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Parole, Parole... {Giancarlo Del Re, Gianni Ferrio, Leo Chiosso} (4:21)
02. Domenica Bestiale {Fabio Concato} (4:29)
03. Mi Sono Innamorato Di Te {Luigi Tenco} (6:06)
04. Che Cosa C'è {Gino Paoli} (5:26)
05. Amorevole {Pino Massara, Vito Pallavicini} (6:22)
06. Quando, Quando {Tony Renis} (4:24)
07. Estate {Bruno Martino} (4:05)
08. Margherita {Riccardo Cocciante} (7:05)
09. Anna Verrà {Pino Daniele} (4:09)
10. Soli {Bruno Canfora, Castellano & Pipolo} (6:21)
11. Frida {Fred Bongusto} (4:48)
12. Donne {Zucchero Fornaciari} (7:18) 

Total Time: 64:58 

Credits:
Producer - Lanfranco Malaguti
Sound Engineer - Maurizio Soranzo
Graphic Design - Luigi Naro
Photography [Cover] - Peppo Spagnoli
Liner Notes [English Texts] - Pete Kercher
Liner Notes [Italian] - Davide Ielmini 

Parole, Parole...

Enrico Pieranunzi, Enzo Pietropaoli, Roberto Gatto - Moon Pie (1987)

Here we have an early trio grouping of Italian piano/keyboardist Enrico Pieranunzi joined by compatriots, bassist Enzo Pietropaolo and drummer Roberto Gatto. Recorded in mid-1987, at a time when jazz fusion was evolving and it's no surprise that this trio portrays their ability to adapt to the times. As a result, the band favours utilising the modern sounds of electric piano, synthesizer on Enrico's part but also the inclusion of electric guitar and bass by Enzo with Roberto's dynamism matching in. The twelve tunes found on this album are composed and split equally amongst both Enrico and Enzo. Many recent Enrico Pieranunzi fans will be initially confused as to what's happened to Enrico's normal classic acoustic trio formation. All the compositions are relatively short, the longest being just three a half minutes, but don't be put off because these musicians are masters of their individual instruments and can easily adapt and improvise with the ability to play all styles of jazz. Listeners will be enthralled by the sonic range of the tunes, being swept along by the power of musicianship of the group leaving them with an experience and journey of pure entertainment, something that can be enjoyed over and over. 

yvp music, 3011, 1987
YVP Music, yvp music 3011 CD, 1991
Recorded May-June, 1987 at Soundvideocat Studios, Rome, Italy 

Musicians:
Enrico Pieranunzi - Piano, Keyboards, Synthesizer
Enzo Pietropaoli - Bass, Guitar
Roberto Gatto - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Today {Enzo Pietropaoli} (3:01)
02. Occasions {Enrico Pieranunzi} (2:35)
03. Martina {Enzo Pietropaoli} (3:12)
04. Skies {Enrico Pieranunzi} (3:35)
05. Before The Wind {Enzo Pietropaoli} (3:37)
06. I'm Looking For You {Enrico Pieranunzi} (3:18)
07. No Exchanges {Enrico Pieranunzi} (3:01)
08. Autobahn {Enzo Pietropaoli} (3:18)
09. Uptown Style {Enrico Pieranunzi} (3:01)
10. After The Rain {Enzo Pietropaoli} (3:29)
11. Blue And Golden {Enrico Pieranunzi} (3:06)
12. Speedy Girl {Enzo Pietropaoli} (2:57) 

Total Time: 38:10 

Credits:
Producer, Liner Notes - York v. Prittwitz
Recording Engineer - Gianrico La Rosa
Cover Photo - Micha Wolfson
Cover Design - Michael Koehler
Notes [Translation] - Claudia v. Prittwitz

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

Paolo Fresu Quartet - Angel (1998)

A native of Sardinia, Paolo Fresu has established himself for several years as one of the great voices on the trumpet since the disappearance of Miles. In a remarkably fluid speech, he incorporates sound elements from various origins, including electronic effects which he uses sparingly. Very active, he has several regular formations, mainly a quintet. But it is with the quartet with which he has been touring for three years that he made this recording. First of all, Nguyên Lê, French guitarist who has managed to achieve a subtle mix of rock sounds and jazz harmonies and makes intelligent use of the synth guitar. And a first-rate Italian rhythm, di Castri being known elsewhere for his superb compositions. The themes, apart from two standards, Angel by Jimi Hendrix and a traditional Italian song, indicative of the personality of the musicians of the group, clearly show that we are dealing here with a real quartet. "Fellini" by Fresu is particularly moving, as we know, one of the finest musical tributes that we have made to the master. "Sueños" (Dreams) by di Castri shows us that the bassist is also a great soloist. It is therefore a very beautiful album which will undoubtedly become a reference. ~ by Alain Le Roux, Chronicart.com. [Translated from French]

BMG/RCA Victor, 74321558642, 1998
Recorded 25th to 29th September 1997 At Esagono Studio, Rubiera, Italy 

Musicians:
Paolo Fresu - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Electronics
Nguyên Lê - Guitar, Guitar Synthesizer
Furio Di Castri - Acoustic Bass, Electronics
Roberto Gatto - Drums
Ornella Vanoni - Vocals (#6) 

Tracks:
01. Everything Happens To Me {Matt Dennis, Tom Adair} (5:38)
02. Walkabout {Paolo Fresu} (6:31)
03. Fellini {Paolo Fresu} (5:57)
04. Elogio Del Discanto [In Praise Of The Discanto] {Paolo Fresu} (4:01)
05. Saïgon {Furio Di Castri} (7:28)
06. Accarezzame [Caress Me] {Pino Calvi, Nicola Salermo} (3:55)
07. Variazione Cinque [Variation Five] {Paolo Fresu} (2:48)
08. El Saola [The Saola] {Dominique Borker, Nguyên Lê} (4:31)
09. Song One {Dominique Borker, Nguyên Lê} (3:10)
10. Sueños [Dreams] {Furio Di Castri} (8:00)
11. Dove Niente Accade [Where Nothing Happens] {Paolo Fresu} (3:35)
12. Il Gatto E La Volpe [The Cat And The Fox] {Paolo Fresu} (6:07)
13. Real Time {Dominique Borker, Nguyên Lê} (2:22)
14. Angel {Jimi Hendrix} (4:22)
15. I Fall In Love Too Easily {Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne} (3:06) 

Total Time: 71:31

Credits:
Producer - Jean-Jacques Pussiau
Executive-Producer - Daniel Baumgarten
Recording, Mixing - Marti Jane Robertson
Mastering, Editing - Jean-Pierre Chalbos
Engineer [Assistant] - Andrea Rovacchi
Photography - Pino Ninfa
Art Direction, Design - Bernard Amiard
Liner Notes [French] - Daniel Soutif