Record Reviews
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  | STEFANO BOLLANI ~ BIG BAND!
VERVE 602527720821 (Barcode: 602527720821) ~ ITALY ~ Big Band Jazz
Recorded: 2010 Released: 2011
This is a live album by Italian Jazz pianist / composer Stefano BollaniFind albums by this artist, recorded with the excellent German NDR Big BandFind albums by this artist, conducted by Norwegian musician / arranger Geir LysneFind albums by this artist. The album presents five tracks, all original compositions by Bollani, arranged by Lysne. Among the international team of the NDR, we find American drummer Jeff BallardFind albums by this artist, Argentinean percussionist Marcio DoctorFind albums by this artist, German saxophonist Christof LauerFind albums by this artist and others.
The music is as much about Bollani’s brilliant piano playing and fascinating compositions, as about the incredible arrangements and performances by the Big Band, which are us usual stellar to say the least. NDR is the leading European Jazz Big Band, with a constantly changing lineup of top Jazz musicians from all over the world. It epitomizes the European orchestral / Big Band approach, which is diametrically different from the American Jazz tradition. The orchestra functions as one body, organically creating a sound, which reflects the rich and complex layers, all contributing to the total outcome. There are no repeated riffs and clear division into sections, but rather an organic music making mechanism, which is basically inseparable.
Bollani’s romantic, lyrical pieces are expanded into suite-like continuances, with little space for soloing per se. His piano is elegantly integrated into the orchestral sound, clearly audible but not dominating the proceedings. The resulting music is quite complex, but offers a powerful “punch”, which is extremely effective. This is European aesthetics at its best.
Overall, this is a rich and powerful musical experience, delivered by some of the best musicians around, and for the Big Band sound enthusiasts, this is a true engulfing orgy of pulsations and resonances, which one wishes should never stop. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | Updated: 21/07/2024Posted: 21/07/2024 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | STEFANO BOLLANI ~ SHEIK YER ZAPPA
DECCA 602547051523 (Barcode: 602547051523) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2011 Released: 2014
This is a live album by Italian pianist / composer Stefano BollaniFind albums by this artist, recorded with his quintet comprising of American musicians: vibraphonist Jason AdasiewiczFind albums by this artist, trombonist Josh RosemanFind albums by this artist, bassist Larry GrenadierFind albums by this artist and drummer Jim BlackFind albums by this artist. As the title suggests, the album is a tribute to the Genius of Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist and was recorded during the quintet’s 2011 tour. The album presents nine tracks, six of which were composed by Zappa, two are by Bollani and one is co-composed by Bollani and Adasiewicz. The album offers a brilliant authentic sound quality.
The music is absolutely brilliant, not only because the strength of the original material by Zappa, but no less importantly because the zany approach by Bollani and his cohorts, who all seem to have an absolute blast performing it and approach it with obvious joy and intellectual freedom. Of course Zappa fans will recognize the original pieces, but they are all treated with a lot of liberty and humor, which add to the experience. I am pretty sure Zappa would have approved wholeheartedly to the whole affair.
Personally I am not objective of course, as I admire everything Zappa related, but it is such a pleasure to see that musicians of the statue of Bollani love and respect his music as well. I am pretty sure that every Zappa fan will love this project, especially those more Jazz oriented ones, but strangely enough this album is relatively completely unknown and it took me years to discover it. Well, better late than never, as they say, and now I can enjoy it and recommend it to Zappa fanatics, and beyond. This album is quite an eye (ear) opener!
Overall, this is a wonderful piece of music, paying a tribute to the greatest American musical Genius of the 20th Century, a visionary and a prophet. These Jazzy arrangements do not go far beyond Zappa’s Jazziest efforts, so sold fans will welcome them instinctively, and if any innocent bystanders get hooked as well, it’s all for the best!
| | Updated: 15/01/2025Posted: 15/01/2025 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | STEFANO BOLLANI ~ STONE IN THE WATER
ECM 2080 (Barcode: 602517941618) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2008 Released: 2009
This is an album by Italian Jazz pianist / composer Stefano BollaniFind albums by this artist, recorded in a trio setting with Danish rhythm section comprising of bassist Jesper BodilsenFind albums by this artist and drummer Morten LundFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, four of which are original compositions by Bollani and two by Bodilsen, two are Brazilian standards and one is an arrangement of a Classical piece.
Bollani is a superb pianist and a great Romantic, and his approach to improvisation combines ideally the American tradition of Bill Evans and modern European Jazz, with some Classical Music influences. Combined with the excellent rhythm section, the music is an instant classic of Jazz piano trio music.
Both the original compositions and the standards are perfect vehicles for the trio to showcase their perfect symbiotic collaboration, which focuses on Bollani’s virtuosity but emphasizes the importance of the trio format at the same time. The deeply melodic side of Bollani is omnipresent and his gentle touches on the keyboard are simply irresistible.
Overall, this is a remarkable Jazz piano trio album, an instant classic, which can be enjoyed by all Jazz lovers, regardless of their stylistic preferences, as this is truly the Jazz essence at its best. Although Bollani’s discography is pretty extensive, this is one of my personal favorites of his recordings. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | Updated: 28/05/2023Posted: 28/05/2023 | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | CHICK COREA / NICOLAS ECONOMOU ~ ON TWO PIANOS
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 028947900115 (Barcode: 028947900115) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion
Recorded: 1982 Released: 2012
Pianist / composer Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist is well known for his amazing versatility (among other things), which is expressed by the many different settings in which he performs. His love for the piano duet is universally acclaimed, starting with his legendary duet recordings / performances with Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist in the late 1970s. Since then he repeatedly returned to the piano duet with many other pianists, like Hiromi UeharaFind albums by this artist, Stefano BollaniFind albums by this artist and others. This album is a most welcome reissue of the 1982 recording of the piano duet performances with Corea and the great Cypriot pianist Nicolas EconomouFind albums by this artist, who died tragically at the ridiculous early age of 40 in a car accident. The live recording comprises of two improvised pieces (one of which is an extended suite 26 minutes long), two Corea compositions and six short pieces from the Bela BartokFind albums by this artist "Mikrokosmos" cycle. The performances are, as one might expect, absolutely brilliant and although Economou comes primarily from the Classical music sphere, the two musicians converse openly and quite telepathically. Considering the fact that these recordings were never previously reissued on CD and unavailable for almost 30 years, it´s great to see them back in circulation. A must to all Corea fans and people who lave piano music!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ENRICO RAVA ~ NEW YORK DAYS
ECM 2064 (Barcode: 602517727151) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2008 Released: 2009
Italian trumpeter / composer Enrico RavaFind albums by this artist has been one of the leaders of European Jazz since several decades and his impressive and extensive recorded legacy is a source of inspiration and musical excellence. This album, recorded in NY, presents a set of new original compositions by Rava and was recorded with brilliant Italian pianist Stefano BollaniFind albums by this artist and American musicians: saxophonist Mark TurnerFind albums by this artist, bassist Larry GrenadierFind albums by this artist and drummer Paul MotianFind albums by this artist. Full of lyricism and typical European melodic frivolity, the album does not break any new ground, but is, as always in the case of Rava, a deeply aesthetic and uplifting listening experience. The music is somewhat minimalist and relaxed, but shouldn´t be mistaken as lifeless; it simply requires more attentive listening and a lot of experience to find and enjoy the tricks of the trade. A beautiful album, wholeheartedly recommended!
| | | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | ENRICO RAVA / STEFANO BOLLANI ~ THE THIRD MAN
ECM 2020 (Barcode: 602517373228) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2006 Released: 2007
This is a wonderful duo album by the two Italian Jazz Masters, trumpeter / composer Enrico RavaFind albums by this artist and pianist / composer Stefano BollaniFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve tracks, two of which are alternate versions, which means there are ten compositions, five composed by Rava, one by Bollani, one co-composed by them, one by Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos JobimFind albums by this artist and two by other composers. The music is superbly recorded and despite the sonic “incompatibility” between the two acoustic instruments, the result is absolutely stunning.
Separated by more than a generation (Rava born 1939, Bollani 1972) these two musicians share the Italian lyricism and melodicism, which underlays all Italian music, Jazz included. Bollani considers Rava as his Mentor, and rightly so, as Rava’s illustrious career paved the way for the international recognition of Italian Jazz. His vast recorded legacy, which goes back as far as the late 1960s and includes dozens of albums as a leader and sideman; is one of the most impressive on the European scene. Bollani started his career playing with Rava in the mid-1990s and they recorded many albums together. In many respects this album is a retrospective and perhaps somewhat sentimental “summary” of sorts of the common path during the first decade of their work together. I have no idea what the title means, but the cover hints the famous film noir thriller Masterpiece “The Third Man”, which of course is always worth revisiting.
Although most of the music is quite melancholic and melodic, some of the tracks offer much more free-spirited improvisations, which manage to offer a melodic framework, but are less immediately accessible than the rest of the material. The entire album is a brilliant example of the “Art of the Duo” concept, which is brought to perfection by these two virtuosi, emphasizing their telepathic interplay and yeas of common experience.
Overall, this is a truly exquisite piece of music, which should be enjoyed by all true Jazz lovers, perhaps requiring a bit of effort, attention and patience, all of which will by fully rewarded. Personally, this is one of my favorite albums by these two great musicians, together or separately, and has filled my heart with comfort on many gloomy days.
| | Updated: 05/08/2024Posted: 05/08/2024 | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | ENRICO RAVA / PAOLO FRESU ~ SHADES OF CHET
EDEL CONTENT 4029759089025 (Barcode: 4029759089025) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1999 Released: 2013
This is a reissue of a fabulous Italian Jazz album, which pairs the country´s two leading Jazz trumpeters Enrico RavaFind albums by this artist (born 1939) and Paolo FresuFind albums by this artist (born 1961), who represent two generations of the Italian Jazz scene, playing side by side in a quintet setting, which features other Italian Jazz Masters: pianist Stefano BollaniFind albums by this artist, bassist Enzo PietropaoliFind albums by this artist and drummer Roberto GattoFind albums by this artist. Together they perform nine Jazz standards, which were associated with the repertoire performed by the great American trumpeter Chet Baker, who lived in Italy for many years.
Although the album is completely straightforward and offers no groundbreaking innovation whatsoever, it is nevertheless a perfect example of beautifully performed mainstream Jazz, which is a faultless encapsulation of everything that this music has to offer. Of course the presence of Rava and Fresu, who belong to the top class of Europe´s trumpeters, is a wonderful bonus, especially when they exchange licks playing simultaneously.
This album´s version of "My Funny Valentine", which is the song most often associated with Baker and his tragic life, is simply a timeless classic, but the entire set is remarkable. The true Jazz cognoscenti will of course enjoy the comparison between the two trumpeters, their respective technique and emotional finesse. It also shows that Europeans can play mainstream Jazz as well and often better than their colleagues from across the pond.
In short this is trumpet heaven for connoisseurs of Jazz trumpet and a superb tribute to one of the greatest Jazz trumpeters ever, but also a most entertaining piece of music of the highest quality. Warmly recommended!
| | Updated: 02/04/2016Posted: 02/04/2016 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
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