Stefano Leonardi: Afro Blue
Musicians:
Stefano Leonardi (flute, alto flute),
Matteo Turella (guitar), Paolo Ghetti (bass), Carlo Alberto Canevali (drums)
.Composed by Mongo Santamaria
.Recorded: Rovigo, Italy, August 2007
Rating: 89/100 (learn more)
With a slowly building drum solo by an energized Carlo Alberto Canevali to introduce this classic Mongo Santamaria piece, Stefano Leonardi and mates set the pace of their "Afro Blue" in a steamy medium tempo. With their darting lines, Leonardi and Matteo Turella are at once comparable to such classic flute/guitar tandems as Mann & Almeida or Lloyd & Szabo. They have listened well and absorbed some of this genre's finest examples of brilliant interplay. After a probing bass solo by Paolo Ghetti, Leonardi and Turella play off each other in a simpatico display of dancing notes in joyous synchronicity. Leonardi's tone is pure and his technique facile, and he and Turella push one another to explore the edges of the melody, weaving in and out of each other's ideas. All the while Ghetti and Canevali keep the beat prancing nicely along. A worthy rendition of this classic song.
Reviewer: Ralph A. Miriello
Tags: 2000s jazz · flute · italy
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