Lee Konitz & Mario Rusca - Where's The Blues? (1997)

Here we have another fine example of Mario Rusca and his trio in action. This time having Lee Konitz at the helm is truly inspirational for both maestros. Lee plays alto throughout except on three tunes; two involve just the Mario Rusca Trio and another a piece for solo piano. The trio consists of a different bassist Lucio Terzano but the same drummer Tony Arco as heard on “Tony Scott with Mario Rusca Trio - The Old Lion Roars” the previous year. Lee’s tone matches perfectly the scintillating chords of Mario’s piano musings. Both artists are clearly in control and virtuosos in their own right. The majority of the selection are jazz standards with Mario contributing two and lee one of his own. Overall, there are no dull spots within this session, if anything this album will continue to entertain jazz lovers for many years to come, enjoy!

Giants Of Jazz, CD 53303, 1997

Recorded 3^rd March, 1997 At Mondial Sound, Milano, Italy

Musicians:

Lee Konitz - Alto Saxophone (#1-3,5-7,10)

Mario Rusca - Piano, Solo (#9)

Lucio Terzano - Bass (#1-8,10)

Tony Arco - Drums (#1-8,10)

Tracks:

01. Where's The Blues? {Mario Rusca} (5:30)

02. Beautiful Love {Haven Gillespie, Victor Young} (5:35)

03. Thingin' {Lee Konitz} (7:39)

04. Summertime {George Gershwin} (4:46)

05. To Lee Or Not To Lee {Mario Rusca} (10:27)

06. On Green Dolphin Street {Bronislaw Kaper, Ned Washington} (6:37)

07. Autumn Leaves {Jacques Prévert, Joseph Kosma} (7:33)

08. Anthropology {Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie} (4:39)

09. Have You Met Miss Jones? {Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart} (5:35)

10. I Should Care {Axel Stordahl, Paul Weston, Sammy Cahn} (6:06)

Credits:

Engineer - Walter Biondi

Photography - Boris Vom Scheidt, Luca A. D'Agostino, Renato Renzini

Photography, Graphics - Marco Cambieri

Total Time: 64:27

Tony Scott with Mario Rusca Trio - The Old Lion Roars (1996)

Tony Scott on his 75^th birthday joins up with the Mario Rusca Trio and sets about re-interpreting a number of very familiar jazz standards as well as a couple of his own tunes; one on which he scats. His expertise on the clarinet is phenomenal and as the album titles suggests 'The Old Lion Roars'. There is no denying that having Mario Rusca on piano does not bolster Tony's virtuosity. Of course, all this wouldn't be achievable if it wasn't due the merits of Rosario Bonaccorso on bass and the brilliant driving force of Tony Arco on drums. Included in the selection are two tunes penned by Mario and played with such finesse, Enjoy!

Giants Of Jazz, CD 53301, 1996

Recorded 24^th, 25^th, 26^th June, 1996 At Mondial Sound, Milan, Italy

Musicians:

Tony Scott - Clarinet, Vocals

Mario Rusca - Piano

Rosario Bonaccorso - Bass

Tony Arco - Drums

Tracks:

01. Blues For Bird {Tony Scott} (5:34)

02. We'll Be Together Again {Carl T. Fischer, Frankie Laine} (7:56)

03. Scott Scat {Tony Scott} (5:57)

04. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes {Jerome Kern, Otto Harbach} (6:13)

05. 'Round Midnight {Thelonious Monk} (8:25)

06. Mood Indigo {Duke Ellington, Barney Bigard, Irving Mills} (5:33)

07. Take Five And More {Mario Rusca} (4:31)

08. Solitude {Duke Ellington, Eddie De Lang, Irving Mills} (6:02)

09. Feel {Mario Rusca} (5:29)

10. Bye Bye Blackbird {Ray Henderson, Mort Dixon} (6:32)

Credits:

Recording Engineer - Walter Biondi

Photo - Orange (TR)

Cover Art - Cinzia Scott

Total Time: 62:12

Enrico Rava & Mario Rusca - D.N.A. (1997) [re-rip]

Enrico Rava needs no introduction as a great trumpet player. However here he is joined with another crack Italian jazz combo led by Mario Rusca, a highly acclaimed pianist throughout Europe, especially in his native country Italy. Born in Turin, he studied classical piano and then moved to Milan to continue his studies in harmony and composition. During the seventies he worked and recorded with the famous violinist Joe Venuti. Later he formed his own quartet "Suspension" with Tullio de Piscopo, George Baiocco and Bruno Tommaso. In later years he worked with some of the most 'important American musicians including: Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, Al Gray, Art Farmer, Lou Donaldson, Curtis Fuller, Lee Konitz, Bob Berg, Kay Winding, Jimmy Owens, Toot's Thielemans, Kenny Clarke, Stan Getz, Steve Lacy, Steve Grosmann, Eddie L. Joe Davis, Dusko Goykovic and Pepper Adams, Gianni Basso, Franco Ambrosetti, Woody Show and of course with Enrico Rava on this Album. Essentially “D.N.A.” is another brilliant expose for both artists, not to overlook Rusca’s well-chosen rhythm section. Together they deliver an exciting collection of both Rusca originals and some classic jazz standards. The listener cannot avoid been enthralled by the music. Enjoy!

Giants Of Jazz, 53302, 1997

Recorded 21st-24th December, 1996 at Mondial Sound, Milan, Italy

Personnel:

Enrico Rava - Trumpet (#1-5,7)

Mario Rusca - Piano

Lucio Terzano - Bass

Tony Arco - Drums

Tracks:

01. D.N.A. {Mario Rusca} (5:22)

02. How High The Moon {Nancy Hamilton, Morgan Lewis} (4:08)

03. Out Of Nowhere {Johnny Green, Edward Heyman} (10:13)

04. Flawless {Mario Rusca} (6:40)

05. Bye Bye Blackbird {Ray Henderson, Mort Dixon} (9:08)

06. Falling In Love With Love {Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers} (8:29)

07. My Foolish Heart {Ned Washington, Victor Young} (9:15)

08. You And The Night And The Music {Howard Dietz, Arthur Schwartz} (5:24)

09. Flash Steps {Mario Rusca} (4:44)

10. Chromosome Blues {Mario Rusca} (4:31)

Credits:

Producers - Walter Gürtler & Vanni Moretto

Recording Engineer - Walter Biondi

Cover Photography (Enrico Rava); Luca A. d'Agostino

Other Photos - Boris Vom Scheidt