BLAISE SIWULA [as/ts/clts] is another artist I have been involved with in the past D'ISTANTE 3 [Slam 537]
is his latest release, a trio with GIANCARLO MAZZU' [gtr/drms] and LUCIANO TROJA [p]. Blaise's sound is
immediately recognizable and can cut through anything. Here, on seven instant compositions [Istante #s 1-7]
Mazzu' and Troja are good foils for Siwula and bring a parity to the group effectively reducing the
intensity of Siwula's playing, allowing a welcomed nuance to the saxman as in the past I have found his
intensity tiring. Again if you're not familiar with this artist and enjoy some good instant composition
this recording would be a good place to start.Zim Tarro Cadence October 2014
Il sodalizio formato da Luciano Troja e Giancarlo Mazzu ha una durata ormai decennale, almeno per quanto
attestato dalle prove discografiche: [Uno], disco di esordio del quartetto Mahanada, risale infatti al 2004.
La strada percorsa dai due musicisti negli anni, insieme e singolarmente, ha guardato a una particolare quanto
precisa sintesi di formalismo e estro estemporaneo, di scrittura e improvvisazione radicale, volta a mettere
in atto una combinazione serrata di questi elementi, capace di incorporare elementi e suggestioni differenti.
D'Istante 3 rappresenta l'incontro di Mazzu e Troja con Blaise Siwula: sette dialoghi colti in maniera
istantanea - come riportano i titoli scelti per i brani e per il disco nel suo complesso. Un incontro libero
da schemi e concetti precostituiti, capace di accostare citazioni da standard con incontri timbrici, momenti
centrati su melodie gestite in maniera decisamente canonica e deviazioni, spigolose quanto repentine, delle
linee proposte dai tre musicisti, passaggi caratterizzati da insistenti ripetizioni, spazi rarefatti di
reciproco ascolto e compatte improvvisazioni corali. La visione collettiva di Siwula, Mazzu e Troja passa
attraverso il dialogo tra generazioni, provenienze e intenzioni, si anima della concezione polistrumentale e
plurale. Se possiamo parlare di incontro di voci, a prescindere dai compiti normalmente rivestiti dai vari
strumenti, l'assenza di una "sezione ritmica" libera ulteriormente spazi d'azione per i tre: il dialogo
sempre al centro, con tutte le tortuosit e contraddizioni del caso, con l'intenzione ferma e pura di
rappresentare al pubblico, attraverso il disco, quanto avvenuto in studio senza la rete di ruoli e convenzioni.
Adam D'Amato
http://www.jazzconvention.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1968:blaise-siwulagiancarlo-mazzuluciano-troja-distante-3&catid=2
TRANSLATION
The partnership formed by Luciano Troja and Giancarlo Mazzu has a decade-long period , at least as evidenced by
the record evidence : [ A ] , the quartet's debut album Mahanada , dating back to 2004. The road traveled by the
two musicians over the years, together and individually , it looked at how accurate a particular synthesis of
formalism and impromptu creativity , writing and radical improvisation , time to put in place a tight
combination of these elements , able to incorporate elements and different suggestions .
Instant On 3 represents the meeting of Mazzu and Troja with Blaise Siwula seven dialogues captured in an
instant - as reported by the titles chosen for the songs and for the disc as a whole. A meeting free of
preconceived notions and patterns , able to pull quotes from standard meetings with timbre , moments centered
on tunes handled in a decidedly canonical and turns, sharp as sudden , the lines proposed by the three
musicians , insistent passages characterized by repetition, rarefied spaces of mutual listening and compact
choral improvisations . The collective vision of Siwula , Mazzu and Troja through dialogue between generations,
backgrounds and intentions , and multi-instrumental conception of the soul is plural. If we can talk about
meeting entries , regardless of the duties normally covered by the various instruments , the absence of a "
rhythm section " free spaces further action for the three : the dialogue is always at the center , with all
the intricacies and contradictions appropriate, with the intention of representing firm and pure to the public,
through the disc , what happened in the studio without the network of roles and conventions .
Giancarlo Mazzu,Distante3: A trio of guitarist Mazzu, multi-reedist Blaise Siwula, and pianist Luciano Troja.
Music that sounds vaguely rooted in the past, expressed with a free improv disposition. The result is a sense
of music of the past existing very much In The Moment. Quite likable, with its casual comportment and studious
persistence. Dave Sumner,
http://www.emusic.com/17dots/2013/12/11/new-jazz-this-week-andrea-keller-dan-peter-sundland-mike-reed-and-more/
Giancarlo Mazzu e Luciano Troja suonano insieme da pi� di un decennio, in particolare nel progetto Mahanada con
il quale hanno ricevuto numerosi riconoscimenti (leggi le recensioni di Uno,Taranta's Circlee Mannahatta). Blaise
Siwula, sassofonista e clarinettista americano, nella Big Apple dal 1989, ormai una figura storica dell'avanguardia
da un punto musicale e organizzativo.
Dopo aver iniziato a collaborare nel 2009, i tre sono tornati a suonare insieme nel 2011 per una serie di
concerti newyorchesi culminati nella seduta di registrazione documentata in questoD'Istante3.
I tre sembrano complementari. L'esperienza di Siwula si adatta perfettamente alla musica di Mazz� e Troja.
Insieme passano da momenti pi� astratti ed informali ad altri in cui la tradizione appare rivisitata
spegiudicatamente, ad esempio a me del brano finale, quando Siwula al clarinetto accetta la sfida del banjo
di Mazzu.
Il disco appare guidato dall'ispirazione del momento, spesso spiazzando l'ascoltatore. In "Istante 2," ad
esempio, Mazzu suona percussioni e batteria e Siwula il sax, strada abbandonata nel brano successivo in cui
Siwula passa al clarinetto basso con Mazzu alla chitarra e Troja al piano che si scambiano i ruoli invitando
Siwula ad un'improvvisazione complessa ed allo stesso tempo suggestiva. Scocca la scintilla e spunta un
"Istante 4" sotto forma di ballad, lentissima, che fra i momenti migliori dell'album.
I tre riescono a fare coincidere i rispettivi mondi sonori creando un'intesa suggestiva.
Vittorio Lo Conte http://italia.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=8883
TRANSLATION
Mazzu Giancarlo and Luciano Troja been playing together for more than a decade, particularly in the project
Mahanada with whom they have received numerous awards (read the reviews of A, Taranta's Circle and Mannahatta).
Blaise Siwula, American saxophonist and clarinetist, in the Big Apple since 1989, is now a historical figure
from an avant-garde musical and organizational.
After I started to work in 2009, the three are back playing together in 2011 for a series of concerts culminat
ing in the New York recording session documented in this D'Istante3.
The three complementary. The experience of Siwula is perfectly suited to the music of Mazzu and Troja.
Together went from the most abstract and informal with others in which the tradition is revisited
spegiudicatamente, for example in the middle of the final song, when Siwula clarinet accepts the challenge of
the banjo Mazzu.
The disc is guided by the inspiration of the moment, often displacing the listener. In "Instant 2," for example,
Mazzu plays percussion and drums and sax Siwula, abandoned road in the next track where Siwula switches to bass
clarinet with Mazz� on guitar and Troy to the plan that they change roles inviting Siwula to an improvisation
complex and fascinating at the same time. Sparks and check a "Moment 4" in the form of ballad, slow, which is
among the best moments of the album.
The three manage to make coincide the respective worlds of sound creating an understanding suggestive.
According to the notes, written by Siwula, these
three have been playing together since 2006.
Siwula curates an improvised music series where these
three have played together. It is clear that they have
been playing together as the interplay among all three
is superb.
This is one of those records that illustrate that free
improvised music can be consonant and melodic,
though there are some raucous moments, especially
on "2", where Siwula's sax swirls with nice chordal
accompaniment from Troja and some basic drumming
from Mazzu. There is a nice, very basic drum solo on this
track as well, with Mazzu humming along. "3" features
Siwula on bas clarinet. While he does not try to play
like Dolphy, at times the influence is heard, and Mazzu's
guitar accompaniment reminded me of what Mingus
would do on bass behind Dolphy. "4" features Siwula's
tenor accompanied by some piano and guitar. Siwula's
tenor has a light sound, somewhere between Pres and
Rollins, but every once in a while he gets a good growl
going. But he always seems to come back to nice long
melodic lines, on all horns, some of which sound like
old pop tunes. On the last track, on clarinet, I thought
he was going to go into a klezmer riff.
In short, a nice record that would hold up to many
plays, and that might serve as a good introduction to
free playing for people who usually do not listen to free
improvisational music.
Bernie Koenig Cadence April 2013
After five years of intercontinental music making,
Italian pianist Luciano Troja and guitarist/drummer
Giancarlo Mazz�, plus New York multi-reedist Blaise
Siwula, have finally recorded their co-operative trio.
The wait was worth it. With interactive familiarity
engendered by time, the three easily enmesh unique
textures and timbres into a satisfying whole. Siwula is
an improviser never inhibited by fashion or genre.
That makes him a perfect foil for the other two, whose
musical explorations flow equally from so-called
classical music and folkloric suggestions as well as the
liberation implicit in free music.
As an added bonus, d'istantes3's seven tracks are
divided in such a way that two unique trios could be
on hand. One, more jazz-oriented, usually features
Siwula playing alto or tenor saxophone in a tart,
impassioned manner while Mazzu demonstrates his
talent as a time-keeping drummer with a fondness for
shuffle beats. Here Troja's command of blues
progressions and other swing conventions is on display
as well. With a style more akin to contemporary New
music, the pianist helps define the second trio,
alongside Mazzu's harsh rasgueado and slurred
fingering on the guitar plus Siwula's extended
techniques, usually expressed in the chalumeau
register of the clarinet or bass clarinet.
For instance, with Mazzu's slaps and ruffs and
Troja's metronomic pulsing propelling the tune
forward, "Istantes 2" finds Siwula's saxophone lines
evolving from hesitant flutters to multiphonic, circular
smears. In contrast, "Istantes 1" could have been
through-composed in early 20th century Vienna. As
low-pitched clarinet puffs eventually sharpen, reed
lines are accompanied by harp-like strums from the
guitarist and busy piano patterns.
Divisions aren't hard and fast, however, since
many tracks exhibit both recital- and dance-hall
characteristics. "Istantes 2" for example, has a blues
progression and drum rolls and shuffles suggesting
30s Swing while heavily vibrated bass clarinet slurs
are strictly modern. By the final selection the three
have managed to forge inimitable sequences, which
can call on the characteristics of other musics while
maintaining an interface strictly the band's own.
Ken Waxman
January 2013 | THE NEW YORK CITY JAZZ RECORD
D'ISTANTE3 [GIANCARLO MAZZU/BLAISE SIWULA/LUCIANO TROJA] - Distante 3
(Slam 537; UK) Blaise Siwula alto & tenor saxes, bass clarinet,
clarinet, Giancarlo Mazzu guitar, drums, Luciano Troja piano.
"d'istante3" is a creative music project bringing together the two
Italian improvisers Giancarlo Mazzu and Luciano Troja, and the New
York based saxophonist Blaise Siwula.
D'ISTANTE3 [GIANCARLO MAZZU/BLAISE SIWULA/LUCIANO TROJA] - Distante 3
(Slam 537; UK) Gianccarlo Mazzu' on guitar & drums, Blaise Siwula on
alto & tenor sax, bass & regular clarinets and Luciano Troja on
piano. Mr. Mazzu' and Mr. Troja were/are part of a trio (Mahanada)
and duo who have a couple of discs out on Splasch. Here they work
with the ubiquitous NY improviser Blaise Siwula, who has recorded on
more than fifty discs with many musicians from around the world. Mr.
Siwula has the C.O.M.A. series at ABC-No-Rio for many years which is
where he first met these two Italian musicians. Since improvisation
in an international language which musicians from around the world
share, this trio combines forces with solid results. They are not
bound by styles or genres so we hear a variety of directions from
straight swinging clarinet to freer explorations. What I dig about
this is that there is a playful and somewhat melodic quality to this
even though it is fully improvised. A rarity for most free music. At
times it sounds as if they are playing fragments of standards yet
will organically change direction when anything becomes almost
familiar. From time to time, the trio will weave into some further
out regions but never go too far. Where as some improv gets too dense
or difficult, this never does and sounds fine just the way it is. -
Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
Giancarlo and Luciano have worked together on the European jazz scene
since 2002. Their music is mainly based on the search for new forms
and expressions, related to tradition with a solid jazz background,
mixed with folk music, classical forms and free improvisation.
Blaise Siwula established a prominent role in the NYC music scene
since his arrival there in 1989. Collaboration between the three
musicians began in 2009, with their first performance together in NYC
at ABC No-Rio, where Siwula is the curator of C.O.M.A. Series. In
2011, d'istante3 performed in several venues around NYC (Manhattan,
Brooklyn, Harlem); in April that year, in the Wombat Studio in
Brooklyn, the trio decided to record their special synergy in the
spontaneous session presented on this, their first CD.
Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
Jazz Colours, February 2013
Due italiani e un newyorkese uniti dalla passione
per il buon jazz e dallo studio e l'approfondimento
di forme musicali che viaggiano fuori da
qualsiasi schema. Ecco come si presenta il trio
Mazz�-Siwula-Troja, la cui musica si rispecchia
alla perfezione nelle parole usate, poco tempo
fa, dallo stesso Mazzu per descrivere il suo punto
di vista: "La musica jazz un contenitore per la
creativit la capacit di improvvisazione dei
musicisti. giusto che oggi ogni musicista porti
la propria cultura, le proprie esperienze e le
proprie influenze in questo modo di vedere la
musica, soprattutto se parliamo di improvvisazione".
Quello di Mazz�-Siwula-Troja un trio
che nella sua combinazione di chitarra, sax e
piano, pu apparire ostico ma che, grazie all'eclettismo
dei musicisti, risulta subito piacevole.
I brani di "D'Istante3" non si discostano
molto l'uno dall'altro, per volont� stessa degli
autori, a cominciare dai titoli che partono da un
Istante 1 per proseguire numericamente fino all'Istante
7. Mazzu e Troja lavorano insieme
ormai da oltre dieci anni, e il loro affiatamento
� lampante. Un'unione nata all'insegna della ricerca
dove, sulla base di solide radici di matrice
chiaramente jazz, si innescano alla perfezione
partiture che strizzano l'occhio tanto alla musica
folk quanto alla musica europea e africana,
dando vita ad una contaminazione di generi che
ben bilanciano tradizione colta e popolare. Fin
da Istante 1 facile notare come pianista e chitarrista
divertano e si divertano in un contagioso
alternarsi di frasi. Nell'affiatamento tra Mazz� e
Troja, si inserisce in maniera lineare il lavoro di
Blaise Siwula, esponente di spicco della scena
musicale newyorkese, che gi� nel 2009 si unisce
ai due colleghi italiani gettando le basi per la
nascita di un sodalizio in grado di proporre una
musica graffiante (termine che calza a pennello
per le svisate di Istante 3) che si traduce nella
realizzazione di questo Cd, del quale vanno valorizzati
soprattutto gli episodi 4 e 5, decisamente
pi� morbidi ma non per questo meno
incisivi delle restanti tracce dove il trio si offre
con grande disinvoltura. Difficile distinguerle,
dato che "D'Istante3" si propone proprio come
un concept, un lungo gioco di improvvisazioni da
ascoltare tutto d'un fiato._Le.Lo.
TRANSLATION
Two Italians and a New Yorker united by their passion
for the smooth jazz and the study and deepening
musical forms that travel outside
any scheme. Here's what the trio
Mazzu-Siwula-Troja, whose music reflects
perfectly in the words used, a short time
ago, by the same Mazzu to describe its point
of view: "Jazz music is a container for the
creativity is the ability to improvise the
musicians. It's just that today every musician ports
their culture, their experiences and
their influences in this way of seeing
music, especially when it comes to improvisation. "
What Mazzu-Siwula-Troja is a trio
that in its combination of guitar, sax and
plan, it may seem difficult but thanks eclecticism
musicians, it is immediately enjoyable.
The songs on "On Istante3" do not differ
greatly from one another, by the will of the same
authors, beginning with titles that start at a
One moment to continue until the time numerically
7. Mazzu Troja and work together
for over ten years, and their harmony
is obvious. Union established by research
where, on the basis of solid roots of the matrix
clearly jazz, trigger perfectly
scores that wink so much to the music
folk music as the European and African
giving rise to a contamination of genres
well balanced scholarly tradition and popular. Since
by Instant 1 is easy to see as a pianist and guitarist
have fun and enjoy themselves in a contagious
alternating sentences. Nell'affiatamento between Mazz� and
Troja, is inserted in a linear manner the work of
Blaise Siwula, a leading figure of the scene
New York music, which in 2009 joined
the two Italian colleagues laid the foundations for the
birth of a partnership will offer a
scratchy music (a term that fits perfectly
for svisate of Instant 3) which results in the
realization of this CD, which should be valued
especially the episodes 4 and 5, decidedly
softer but no less
incisors of the remaining tracks with the trio offers
with great ease. Difficult to distinguish,
since "On Istante3" aims like
a concept, a long game of improvisations
listen to all of a fiato._Le.Lo.
GIANCARLO MAZZU', BLAISE SIWULA & LUCIANO TROJA / D'istante3 (Slam Productions)
Rencontre d'improvisation libre entre le saxophoniste-clarinettiste Blaise Siwula,
le pianiste Luciano Troja et le guitariste-batteur Giancarlo Mazzu'. Belle chimie
entre les trois. Beau parallélisme entre le phrasé de Siwula et celui de Troja, ce
qui permet d'intégrer le premier la cellule créative forte de Troja et Mazzu'. recommandé.
Free improvisation meeting between sax/clarinet player Blaise Siwula, pianist Luciano Troja,
and guitarist/percussionist Giancarlo Mazzu'. Fine chemistry between all three.
Nice affinities between Siwula's phrasing and Troja's phrasing, which makes it easy for
the former to insert himself within the strong creative nucleus between Troja and Mazzu'. Recommended.
Fran�ois Couture http://blog.monsieurdelire.com/search/label/Journal%20d%27%C3%A9coute%20%2F%20Listening%20diary
l trio di Giancarlo Mazz� chitarra e batteria eLuciano Trojaal piano insieme
al veterano della musica improvvisataBlaise Siwula� spuntato a New York, in
uno di qui luoghi in cui l�avanguardia trova spazio sul palco. Allepoca con
il gruppo dei Mahanada, i due incontrarono Siwula in un jam session e da l
sono partite una serie di collaborazioni che finalmente sono maturate su disco,
uscito sulla meritevole Slam Productions inglese. Siwula, ai sax tenore e contralto
ed al clarinetto ed al clarinetto basso, un ottimo partner per i musicisti italiani.
I tre riescono ad essere un collettivo molto speciale, in quanto mettono insieme il
proprio patrimonio musicale senza contraddizioni, ognuno con le proprie radici,
visibilmente molto distanti. Eppur funziona, il ponte lanciato tra gli USA e lItalia
permette comunicazioni dal contenuto sorprendente. Emergono retaggi classici, ad esempio
nellIstante 4, situazioni che provengono dal jazz mainstream, il tutto ormai ben
metabolizzato e ridato in forma coerente. Questa nuova via sorprendente ed in grado di
funzionare soltanto grazie all�esperienza dei tre. Il veterano sassofonista americano
suona con molta cura, in lui si sente tutta la storia del jazz. I due italiani portano
con s� un tutt altro tipo di esperienza musicale e di cultura. Scocca cos quella scintilla
che permette ai tre di dialogare alla pari e di creare qualcosa che va al di l� della tecnica
strumentale o dei generi. L improvvisazione la fa da padrona, ma sfugge tuttavia ai moduli
tipici della musica pi� radicale. Un trio intrigante, fra jazz e non, fra tradizione ed
avanguardia.
The trio of Giancarlo Mazz� guitar and drums and Luciano Troja floor along with the veteran of
improvised music Blaise Siwula erupted in New York, here in one of the places where the vanguard
is space on the stage.At the time with the group of Mahanada, the two met Siwula in a jam session
and from there one game in a series of collaborations that have finally gained on record, released
on worthy Slam Productions English.Siwula, the alto and tenor sax and clarinet and bass clarinet,
is an excellent partner for the Italian musicians.The three manage to be a collective very special
in that they put together their own musical heritage without contradictions, each with their own
roots, apparently very distant.And yet it works, the bridge between the U.S. and Italy launched
allows communications from the amazing content.Emerge heritage classics, such as in 'Moment 4
situations that come from the jazz mainstream, all now well metabolized and again into a coherent form.
This new route is surprising and can operate only thanks to the experience of the three.The veteran
American saxophonist plays with great care, he feels the entire history of jazz.The two Italians bring
with them a different kind of musical experience and culture.Body so that spark that allows the three
to converse on an equal and create something that goes beyond the technical or instrumental genres.
Improvisation is king, but nevertheless escapes the typical forms of music more radical.An intriguing trio,
including jazz and, between tradition and avant-garde.
Vittorio Lo Conte http://www.musiczoom.it/?p=10004
Tratti comuni, ma lungo percorsi stilisticamente p compatti, si ritrovano in un altro album a due,
qui per� aperto a una terza voce, le ance dell'americano Blaise Siwula, innestate sulla coppia
ampiamente rodata composta dal pianist Luciano Trojae dal batterista/chitarristaGiancarlo Mazzu,
i quali, inuD'istante3(Slam), praticano un'improvvisazione libera quanto sorvegliata, di tono ora
pi� cameristico, ora pi� nervoso, attorcigliato, costantemente incline alla sperimentazione.
Common traits, but along paths stylistically the most compact, can be found in another two albums,
but here to open a third voice, reeds American Blaise Siwula, grafted on the couple - well-oiled -
composed by pianist Luciano Trojaand drummer / guitarist Giancarlo Mazzu, which, in D'istante3(Slam),
practicing free improvisation as lifeguard, tone chamber now more, now more nervous, twisted,
constantly prone to experimentation.
ALBERTO BAZZURRO http://www.lisolachenoncera.it/rivista/rubriche/-3/
