Jay D'Amico: Improvviso
Track
Improvviso
Artist
Jay D'Amico (piano)
CD
Tuscan Prelude: Jazz Under Glass (Consolidated Artists Productions CAP-1013)
Recorded: New York, October 2006
Rating: 89/100 (learn more)
One word describes what sets "Improvviso" (Italian for unexpected) apart from the usual intersection of jazz and classical music: romance. It can be argued that Claude Bolling's work – especially Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio – serves as a counterexample, but it just never resonated with me. Jay D'Amico pulls off the task of morphing from classical to jazz and back while neither losing the mood nor seeming too academic. It sure helps that, when the lovely opening theme slides over to the jazz side, his band pushes the swing-o-meter far into the red. Ronnie Zito's skittery brushes perfectly complement Marc Johnson's speedy walking bassline. That short shot of adrenaline makes the shift back into solo piano seem all the more intimate.
Reviewer: Mark Saleski
Tags: 2000s jazz · piano trio
That was beautifully and concisely said. Just like "Tuscan Prelude: Jazz Under Glass" itself. The whole cd of original compositions is amazing.