Wow! Real tunes played beautifully with really nice
improvisations.
This is a very pretty record, and I mean that in way the
word intended. Most of the tracks are short, so we get
the melody, some nice soloing and the melody, like old
swing or bop players. And, to top it off, they play some
of my old favorites.
This record brings back memories of when I played in
dance bands and jazz bands that played standards such
as these. But these two add some nice embellishments
to the melodies, and while the melodies certainly are
recognizable, duo makes them their own. In this way
they bring a freshness to these old standards. This
is especially the case in beginnings of tunes such as
Blackbird" and "Leaves," and "A Train," on which they
bring a new approach which really works.
But what really makes this record work is the interplay
between the two musicians. I assume they have put in
their rehearsal time as there is a seamlessness in how
the music moves from one instrument to the other.
This really comes out in how they play the melody
on "Night." But the playing does not sound forced or
boring. The enthusiasm for the music certainly comes
through.
The playing is excellent. I especially love the extended
trills Mazzu' uses on some of the ballads, and Troja
knows exactly how to support them. But top it all off,
especially on the up tempo pieces, I wanted to get up
and dance.
Bernie Koenig http://www.cadencejazzmagazine.com/membersonly/admin/assets/January2014singlepage.pdf
A better listen to GIANCARLO MAZZU' [gtr] can be had on LIVE AT THE METROPOLITAN ROOM NYC [Slam 545]
a duet with LUCIANO TROJA [p]. The program here is 10 standards by Berlin, Hammerstein, Strayhorn and the like.
This is a delightful program as the pair exhibit their chops and play in harmony and in counterpoint with each other.
In some ways it brings to mind some of the duo work I've heard Bucky Pizzarelli do—though there would be no
mistaking this for Bucky, or frankly anyone else. At brief times Mazzu' effects a mandolin sound, but it all fits and
it's all delightful.
One senses there is not a lot of deviation from a planned program but the program is damned entertaining and fresh,
in the same way a duet is between, say, stride pianists: you know where they're going and where they will end but the
dynamics can make for a thrilling ride.
Zim Tarro Cadence October 2014
Giancarlo's guitar and Luciano's keyboards work together very nicely on a set of lively standards in this live venue.
As you listen to their interpretations of classics like "Cheek To Cheek", you'll realize that they truly have their own
focus and a very pleasant musical persona together! The live audience is very appreciative of tunes like
"But Not For Me", and I've no doubt you'll enjoy this one as much as I did. Their tight weave together on the closer
"Take The A Train", made it my favorite of the ten offered up you've never heard a performance as
astounding as this one! I give this duo a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an "EQ" (energy quotient) rating of 4.96.
Get more information at theirREVERBNATION page. Rotcod Zzaj http://rotcodzzaj.com/wordpress/?page_id=4202
Translation:
New Cd , on timeless standards , based on the
American songbook for these two musicians
more than a decade working together in different
formations from duo to quartet . Giancarlo
Mazzu , guitarist , academic training and
great experience, excellent technique ,
clean sound and a remarkable taste for composition ,
and Luciano Troja , pianist, self-taught since
childhood , which followed an in-depth
course of study with Salvatore Bonafede and,
New York, with Richie Beirach . The project was
registered at the Metropolitan Room in Manhattan,
theater dedicated mainly to cabaret. the
Music is a jazz chamber through composers
the likes of Berlin , Gershwin, Rogers and
Strayhorn , and the sound is clean and perfect,
sometimes even too much. The standards are arranged
from the point of view of the duo : the themes are unstructured
and re-presented in the form of fees , while
the solo performances are in the balance between
classical music and jazz with strong accents
blues. A vision unlike interpretations
already heard of the likes of guitarist
Russell Malone and pianist Benny Green. the
training denotes a great interplay , played
of joints between the instruments , thanks to arrangements
optimally designed to calibrate the
spaces of both, although in the economy of
the piano disc always remains in second
floor. In this sense emerge Check to Check ,
where the theme Mazzu completely revised adds
a classical guitar solo , with
final cabaret style , and Softly as in a Morning
Sunrise, Hispanic , characterized by
staccato guitar , technically flawless .
The intro of But Not for Me, developed as a fee
classical guitar leaves the exposure
the theme with a great swing to which to follow a
blues solo , very enjoyable, the piano.
Closes the work an intriguing Take the "A "
Train, rumoristica introduction of Troja , which
reminiscent of a train hurtling through the night, and
intense improvisation in two voices , dissonant
with hints of blues. An interesting project ,
which has the merit of establishing an
personal , original and never boring duo Mazzu -
Troja reading standards , and that is worth more
a ascolto._Da.Su .
Jazz Colours November 2013
Nuovo Cd, su standards senza tempo, tratto dal
songbook americano per questi due musicisti che
da oltre un decennio collaborano insieme in diverse
formazioni, dal duo al quartetto. Giancarlo
Mazzu, chitarrista, di formazione accademica e
grande esperienza, dalla tecnica sopraffina,
suono pulitissimo ed un gusto compositivo notevole,
e Luciano Troja, pianista, autodidatta sin
dall'infanzia, che ha seguito un approfondito
percorso di studio con Salvatore Bonafede e, a
New York, con Richie Beirach. Il progetto stato
registrato al Metropolitan Room di Manhattan,
teatro dedicato principalmente al cabaret. La
musica un jazz da camera che attraversa compositori
del calibro di Berlin, Gershwin, Rogers e
Strayhorn, ed il sound pulito e perfetto, a
tratti anche troppo. Gli standard sono arrangiati
secondo il punto di vista del duo: i temi sono destrutturati
e riproposti a forma di canone, mentre
gli interventi solistici sono in bilico tra la
musica classica ed il jazz con forti accenti di
blues. Una visione dissimile da interpretazioni
gi ascoltate di artisti del calibro del chitarrista
Russell Malone e del pianista Benny Green. La
formazione denota un grande interplay, giocato
su incastri tra gli strumenti, grazie ad arrangiamenti
ottimamente studiati per calibrare gli
spazi di entrambi, anche se nell'economia del
disco il pianoforte rimane sempre in secondo
piano. In tal senso emergono Check to Check,
dove Mazzu al tema rivisto completamente aggiunge
un solo di chitarra classicheggiante, con
finale in stile cabaret, e Softly as in a Morning
Sunrise, spagnoleggiante, caratterizzata dalla
chitarra in staccato, tecnicamente ineccepibile.
L'intro di But Not for Me, sviluppata come un canone
classico, lascia alla chitarra l'esposizione
del tema con un ottimo swing a cui far seguire un
assolo blues, molto godibile, del pianoforte.
Chiude il lavoro una intrigante Take the "A"
Train, dall'introduzione rumoristica di Troja, che
ricorda un treno che sfreccia nella notte, ed
un'intensa improvvisazione a due voci, dissonante
con accenni di blues. Un progetto interessante,
che ha il merito di aprire una via
personale, originale e mai banale del duo Mazzu-
Troja alla lettura degli standard, e che vale pi
di un ascolto._Da.Su.
Jazz Colours Nov 2013
There is an unpretentious honesty to this duo recording that makes it very enjoyable, right from the off. A quick glance through the track listings will reveal that this is pretty much a workout of jazz standards; timeless songs that find their way into most repertoires now and again.
Mazzu' and Troja adopt a bright and imaginative approach to the task, keeping the music moving along at a brisk pace, and clearly engaging what sounds like a small but enthusiastic audience for the duration of the set. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise is performed with great delicacy, whilst elsewhere there are interesting interpretations of classics such as Autumn Leaves and All The Things You Are to showcase the duo's ability to bring new but sensitive readings to well-known and well-loved material.
Only on Strayhorn's Take The "A" Train does it come a bit unstuck, with some of the inventions sounding a bit forced as a way to bring the set to a rousing finale. The sound quality of the live recording is particularly fine and worthy of comment, as it adds significantly to the discrete and intimate atmosphere in which so much small-group of duet jazz is often performed. Mazzu' and Troja have pitched the material and their approach to it perfectly to the setting, making this a quite understated but very pleasurable 50 minutes of listening.
John Adcock Jazz Journal, October 2013
I due musisti italiani Giancarlo Mazzu alla chitarra e Luciano Troja
al pianoforte mostrano in questo live al Metropolitan Room di New York
tutta la loro abilit nel suonare e presentare degli standard dal loro
punto di vista. Viene fuori il retroterra culturale colto che parte
della formazione musicale in Europa e cos la loro versione
dell American Songbook profondamente diversa da quello che si pu ad
esempio ascoltare in un disco come quello del chitarrista Russel Malone
e del pianista Benny Green.
Il pubblico americano gradisce questo modo di porgere gli standard, per
loro originale e diverso dal "solito" ritmo bop o di bossa nova. I due
seguono da tempo questa strada ed hanno gi pubblicato con la Splasc(H)
Records due album, nel 2006 e nel 2009, dedicati a questo materiale.
Accanto allavanguardia ed alla musica insieme al sassofonista Blaise
Siwula gli standard sembrano occupare un ruolo importante e stimolare un
feeling appassionato verso un genere che non facile ridare in modo
originale.
Sono ben dieci i brani presentati, tutti notissimi. Si chiude con un
famoso brano di Duke Ellington, quello che lui usava per finire le
esibizioni con la sua orchestra, con la scusa di dovere andare a
prendere il treno! Non sar cos per i due musicisti italiani, ma in
ogni caso l ïdea del Duca li ha stimolati verso una esecuzione molto
coinvolgente.
Vittorio Lo Conte http://www.musiczoom.it/?p=15789
TRANSLATION:
The two Italian musicians Giancarlo Mazz� on guitar and Luciano Troja at the piano in this live show at the Metropolitan Room in New York all their playing ability and present standards from their point of view.It turns out that the cultural background caught is part of musical training in Europe and so their versionof the American songbook is profoundly different from what you can for example listen to a record like that of guitarist Russell Maloneand pianist Benny Green.The American public like this way to extend the standard to their original and different from the "usual" or bop rhythm of bossa nova.The two follow this road for some time and have already published on Splasc (H)Records two albums, in 2006 and in 2009, dedicated to this material.Beside the forefront and music along with saxophonist Blaise Siwula standards seem to occupy an important role and stimulate a passionate feeling towards a genre that is not so easy to restore the original.There are ten songs presented, all well-known.It closes with a famous song by Duke Ellington, what he used to finish his performances with the orchestra, with the excuse of having to go tocatch the train! It will not be so for the two Italian musicians, but in any case the idea of the Duke encouraged them to run a very engaging.
The real challenge is to take a standard like' Bye Bye Blackbird'and find something new to say. Theproblem is that the listeners can hear what you are doing to the tune and willeither marvel at your invention or note your lifelessness.On this CD you will admire the wit and cleverness of the interpretationsor re-compositions.
"Cocktail music" is one way of being disparaging about musicplayed in well heeled lounge locations like New York's Metropolitan Room.It would be a travesty to pin thatlabelon Mazzu and Troja who aresophisticated artists who rise to the test of finding new ways to improvise oneach of the well-known standards. Just listen to the two part invention on "But Not For Me." Theduet on "Autmn Leaves" which meshes perfectly passing the melody subtly fromguitar to piano. Neapolitan styleplaying enlivens "Softly As In A MorningSunshine".
The longest piece "Take The A Train" might make you think ofMichel Petrucciani or even Martial Solal.It is a headlong journey with the rhythm coming from Troja's piano. Suddenly stride takes over and thewhole piece rocks along. It is agreat show piece for the virtuosity of bothmen.
If you want to hear the Great American Song Book played withverve, style and panache, this session is recommended withoutcaveats.
Jack Kenny http://jazzviewscdreviews.weebly.com/august-2013.html
Featuring Giancarlo Mazzu' on electric guitar and Luciano Troja on grand piano. Both of these Italian musicians have previous releases on the Slam and Splasch labels in a duo, trio and quartet formations. Most of the previous releases are mainly improv sessions. This disc was recorded live at the Metropolitan Room in Manhattan, more of cabaret showcase which does have occasional jazz. The duo perform ten mostly well-known standards from Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Richard Rogers and Billy Strayhorn. I love the way they take these familiar songs and embellish them with surprising twists and turns, never playing it too safe or predictable. Even well-worn chestnuts like "Cheek to Cheek" and "My Funny Valentine" are dusted off and made fresh. At times one would think that two chordal instruments like the piano and guitar would tend to get in each other's way, but this is never the case here as both musicians respect each other's abilities and know how to weave the voices together and around one another marvelously. I recall reviewing a trio disc that these two had with NY-based saxist Blaise Siwula in the past year and find it amazing these these two are such well-rounded jazz players and improvisers. Who knew they could also play this way?!?! - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG http://search2.downtownmusicgallery.com/lookup.cgi?item=2013_06_27_19_15_21
Muistan kuinka aikoinaan Yll�s Jazz Bluesissa oli majapaikkamme kerross�ngyss� todellista jazzin painoarvoa, kun alapetill� kuorsasi Hallmanin Pauli ja yl�punkalla (!) George Haslam, barsansoittaja ja levymoguli Englannista. Aikamoisia velikultia kumpikin�
Haslamin levyfirma Slam on erikoistunut free jazziin, improvisoituun musiikkiin, maailman musiikkiin ja oikestaan kaikkeen sellaiseen, jota voidaan kutsua nimikkeell� vapaa musiikki. Slamin levyist� on monille varmasti tuttu "Raahe '99″ (SLAMCD 328).
T�m�n levyn sis�lt� pohjautuu The Great American Songbookiin eli s�velt�j�nimin� mm. Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Oscar Hammerstein, Billy Strayhorn jne. Tuttuakin tutumpia s�vellyksi�, nyt vapaasti improvisoiden kitaralla ja pianolla etel�italialaisen duon voimalla.
Kitaristi Giancarlo Mazzu' (s. 1967) asuu Palmissa, Calabriassa ja pianisti Luciano Troja (s. 1963) Messinassa, Sisiliassa. Herrat ovat soittaneet yhdess� vuodesta 2002 l�htien ja he yhdistelev�t makoisasti soitossaan jazzia, folkia ja klassista musiikkia vapaan improvisaation my�t�. Lopputuloksena kepe�n iloista soitantoa, jazzia, joka saa kuulijansa hyv�lle tuulelle.
Mazzu�n soitossa tulee my�s hienosti esille h�nen klassisen kitaroinnin tausta. H�nen ottens� l�pi levyn on vankka ja sointuva. Juoksutukset osoittavat erinomaista sormin�pp�ryytt� ja sointikuvioiden laajuus ett� rytmiset vaihdot kruunaavat soittoa. Kokonaisharmonia Trojan kanssa on nautittavaa. Todellinen instrumenttinsa hallitsija.
Samat teonsanat koskevat p��osin my�s pianisti Trojaa, toisin h�nen roolinsa on hieman enemm�n komppiosastolla. Mutta hienoa ja hallittua mustavalkioiden kuljettamista joka tapauksessa.
Kun otetaan huomioon, ett� kyseess� on live��nitys, nostaa se viel� kummanakin soittajan osaamisosam��r�� yl�sp�in. Muutamassa kohdassa my�s kuulijoiden kulmakarvoja, nautinnosta, ei mist��n esityst� pilaavasta osiosta.
Soittamisen riemu ja vapaus sykkii muutamalla raidalla k�sinkosketeltavalla voimalla, esimerkkin� vaikkapa Gershwinin But Not For Me. Rytmikk��n riehakas palapeli, jossa kaikki osat omat kohdallaan. Huh, huh, heijaa�
Er��ksi esimerkiksi sopii my�s My Funny Valentine, jossa heittaydyt��n rauhaisaan klassiseen rytmittelyyn sek� vastapainona ravakoihin kuviojuoksutuksiin. Levollista improa, josta erinomaisin rytminvaihdoksin ja juoksutuksin l�hes klimaksinomaiseen hurmokseen. Maittavan makoisaa�
En tied�, py�r�ht��k� Joseph Kosma haudassaan Montmartren hautausmaalla Pariisissa, kuullessaan levyn klassismaisen improilun kuolleista lehdist��n. Hienoa jazzsovitusta klassisen musiikin ev�ill�. Jeeeee�
Koko levy on kahden ammattilaisen n�yt�s siit�, kuinka homma toimii, kun sen osaa. Kuulija tulee hyv�lle tuulelle ja kokonaisuus j�tt�� hyv�n maun kuulijan korvien v�liin. Rento, mutta samalla monitahoinen ja mielenkiintoinen paketti on t�ynn� positiivisuutta. El�m� voikin olla ihanaa�.
Kuunnelkaa ja nauttikaa. (OR)
Osku Rajala http://jazzrytmit.com/wp/s8-levyarvostelut/c29-levyarvostelut/giancarlo-mazzu-luciano-troja/
TRANSLATION
I remember I used to Lapland Jazz Blues was a guest in a bunk bed place a real emphasis on jazz , the lower bed snoring Hallman Pauli and yl�punkalla (!) George Haslam , barsansoittaja and record mogul England. Kinda velikultia both ...
Haslam Slam record company is specialized in free jazz, improvised music , world music and everything that oikestaan , which may be designated as free music . Slam of the plates is certainly familiar to many " Noida '99 " ( SLAMCD 328).
The contents of the disc is based on The Great American Songbookiin of composer names mm . Irving Berlin , George Gershwin, Oscar Hammerstein , Billy Strayhorn , etc. after the abolition of familiar compositions, now freely improvised guitar and piano in the southern Italian duo's power.
The guitarist Giancarlo Mazzu ' (b. 1967 ) lives in Palm , Calabria and pianist Luciano Troja ( 1963 ) in Messina , Sicily. The gentlemen have been playing together since 2002 and they combine hitting mood soitossaan jazz, folk and classical music from free improvisation time. As a result, lighthearted joys playlist , jazz music , which makes the listener feel good .
Mazzu'n streaming, you will also be well out of his classical guitar background . His ottens� through the plate is robust and sonorous . Passages demonstrate excellent dexterity and tonal patterns that the extent of rhythmic exchanges complete your call. Global Harmony with the Trojan is enjoyable . The real ruler of their instruments .
The same action verbs are mainly related to the pianist Trojaa , that his role is a little more komppiosastolla . But the great thing and controlled mustavalkioiden transport anyway.
Taking into account that there is a live recording , raising it still kummanakin caller osaamisosam��r�� up. In just a few in the audience eyebrows , pleasure , not only ruining any motion model.
Playing and the joy of freedom beats in a couple of tracks for physical force , such as , say, Gershwin's But Not For Me . Raucous rhythmic puzzle in which all the parts their own right. Huh, huh , heijaa ...
As one example, is also suitable for My Funny Valentine, which I threw myself calm classic rytmittelyyn and offset flamboyant kuviojuoksutuksiin . Tranquil improa , which rytminvaihdoksin excellent and the passage of the nearly klimaksinomaiseen treasures galore . Tasty tasty ...
I do not know , Joseph Kosma twirl in his grave at the cemetery of Montmartre in Paris , to hear the disc klassismaisen improvisation from the dead its leaves . The great thing about jazz classical methods has agreed . Jeeeee ...
The entire disc has two professionals show how it works, when its parts. The listener will be in a good mood and the whole is to leave a good taste of the listener's ears in between . Relaxed, but at the same time complex and interesting package is full of positivity. It may be a wonderful life ....
Listen to and enjoy . ( OR)