ALL STAR QUARTET
The first in the series of concerts by the three all-star formations scheduled to appear at UJ 2002 – the first concert in Italy since the summer of 2000 by the quartet of saxophonist Joe Lovano, guitarist John Scofield, bassist Dave Holland and drummer Al Foster – lived up to everyone’s  expectations. Each member of this band is one of the most accomplished players of his instrument in the world and together they formed a formidable unit. The Morlacchi Theatre had been sold-out for days and the audience, which filled the baroque venue up to the rafters, was treated to more than 90 minutes of music composed specifically for the quartet’s 19-concert tour, a program of originals the quartet will record in New York City at the end of July for future release on Blue Note Records. The basic themes of each song were expanded in extended performances that averaged 15-20 minutes and of the seven tunes played, three were by Holland and two each were by Scofield and Lovano. While no Foster composition was featured, the drummer showed from the start while he is one of the most incredible rhythm masters on the planet. His solo on Lovano’s “Oh” which opened the show elicited roaring cheers from the crowd, the first of many ovations the drummer would receive. ... continua

(by Mitchell Feldman)

CHRIS POTTER QUARTET
The second half of Saturday night’s concert at Teatro Morlacchi featured the quartet of tenor and soprano saxophonist Chris Potter, who after Lovano is undoubtedly the leading non-Afro-American reed player on the international music scene today. The winner of Denmark’s prestigious JazzPar Prize in 2000, an award nicknamed the “Nobel Prize of Jazz” which carries an honorarium of €25,000, Potter is quite active as a leader when not touring the world as a member of Dave Holland’s Quintet.
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(by Mitchell Feldman)

DINNER WITH THE BAYOU TRADITIONAL JAZZ BAND
One of the most interesting features of this summer edition of Umbria Jazz Festival is the chance to dine at the famous Hotel Brufani while listening to the sounds of the BAYOU TRADITIONAL JAZZ BAND. This is a traditional seven members band with strong woodwind, brass, piano and drums. They play a mix of traditional 20’s and 30’s jazz recreating the magical atmosphere of a live jazz restaurant of the pre World War 2 era. This event has already met with great success and will with all likelihood be repeated in the following editions of the festival.

(by Giovanni Serrazanetti)

THE BEAUTIFUL JANE MAKES HER DEBUT
Yesterday afternoon the new great name of the international jazz voice, Jane Monheit, made her debut in front of a large and passionate audience at the Santa Cecilia Auditorium. Monheit is a singer with amazing technique, an incredible vocal range at her disposal and a warm and sexy voice. Her repertoire is varied and interesting. Her style is linked with the best of the white jazz vocalist traditions of the 40’s and 50’s.As a jazz vocalist her singing is of the highest level but she has not yet found her deepest soul. However she is but young and has many experiences still to discover. All we need do is wait.
 

(by Giovanni Serrazanetti)

THE TALENTED YOUNGERS OF MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL HONOR BAND

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56K isdn

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RICCARDO ZEGNA QUARTETTO
The Perugia-based label Egea has set itself apart from other international record companies with its productions featuring a unique style of highly cinematic, impressionistic and acoustic style of fusion music that blends traditional Mediterranean and European classical influences with improvisational elements. A quartet led by pianist Riccardo Zegna featuring soprano and tenor saxophonist Pietro Tonolo, accordionist Gil Goldstein and cellist Enrico di Costa presented a concert on Sunday 14 July at the acoustically perfect and recently restored Oratorio Santa Cecilia that personified the distinctive genre Egea is introducing to a global audiophile market. The performance coincided with the release earlier last week of Farfalle, a CD recorded at the Oratorio last July during UJ 2001 and featured selections from this recording as well as new compositions scheduled to appear on Zegna’s next Egea album. As the word Farfalle implies, Zegna’s music is light, airy and lyrical and it draws heavily on such romantic inspirations as the waltz, the baccarolle and other European classical and folk dances.

(by Mitchell Feldman)