Roberto Magris Europlane: Stray Form

Track

Stray Form

Group

Roberto Magris Europlane

CD

Il Bello Del Jazz (Soul Note 121395-2)

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Musicians:

Roberto Magris (piano), Herb Geller (alto sax),

Rudi Engel (bass), Gabrielle Centis (drums)

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Composed by Herb Geller

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Recorded: Trieste, Italy, August 28 & 30, 2003

Albumcoverrobertomagriseuroplane-ilbellodeljazz

Rating: 86/100 (learn more)

Roberto Magris is a talented Italian pianist who has assimilated many fine qualities in his playing and writing from classic American straight-ahead jazz. In this outing he is joined by veteran Herb Geller, an accomplished alto saxophonist from the West Coast school, who to me has the smooth flowing sound reminiscent of Paul Desmond on alto. This sound, devoid of bite or harshness, seems to be fading out of favor with the younger generation of saxophone players. On this Geller-penned tune, his mellifluous alto slides silkily through the turns of this clever song. Magris is a wonderfully adept accompanist and an inventive soloist who is able to sit back respectfully and let the elder take center stage for most of this tune, while the rhythm section holds down the beat unobtrusively. When Magris does solo he plays succinct single-note runs accentuated with brushstrokes of arpeggio-laden notes. A good representation of mainstream jazz played by professionals who like and respect the music with no pomp or pretense.

Reviewer: Ralph A. Miriello

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  • 1 Federico Antin // Aug 11, 2008 at 10:24 PM
    A wonderful album, quite underrated from my humble point of view, but I think Ralph A. Miriello hits the bull eye with his words.