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Stefano Di Battista: Round About Roma
His latest project Round About Roma creates an imaginary cinema score, with strings by the Symphonic Orchestra of Paris, that could have been a 1960's romantic film centered in Rome. Together with composer/arranger Vince Mendoza, Di Battista weaves jazz elements into these well-tempered tracks. Mendoza has created orchestral arrangements for jazz and pop music from John Scofield to Bjork. His most accomplished work being two discs for Joni Mitchell, including last years Travelogue with his string arrangements for Mitchell's re-interpretation of her beloved hits.
Two saxophonists, Art Pepper and Cannonball Adderley, have influenced Stefano di Battista's career. Both of these players incorporate an emotional approach in their playing. Where Pepper would reach for a clarinet, di Battista favors a soprano saxophone. His tone is more luscious than his two heroes, as is evident throughout this disc. Where the prior self-titled Stefano Di Battista (2000) with Elvin Jones and pianist Jackie Terrasson threatened to speak bebop throughout, this albums concept is pure amour. This isn't as much a jazz quartet with string accents as it is a small orchestra that includes piano/bass/drums/saxophone. Mendoza and Di Battista refrain from overlapping music, they intertwine and prudently have either the quartet or the strings drop out for an agreeable mix.
It is a stretch to call this jazz. Let's call it beautiful cinema orchestrations in the tradition of Nina Rota. If there is such a category, this is a near perfect album.
Track Listing
1. Anastasia 2. Amoroso 3. Tartagura 4. Romeo & Juliet 5. The Other Side 6. Arabesque 7. Roma Antica 8. The Next Nine Hours
Personnel
Stefano di Battista
saxophoneStefano di Battista- Alto and Soprano Saxophone; Eric Legnini- Piano; Rosario Bonaccorso- Acoustic Bass; Andre Cecarrelli- Drums
Album information
Title: Round About Roma | Year Released: 2003 | Record Label: Blue Note Records
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