Enrico Rava: Happiness is... (2004)

Simon Calle

Recent articles (5 total)

Published: August 24, 2004

In '02 Italian trumpeter Enrico Rava won the Danish Jazzpar prize. One of the activities related to the award is a series of concerts through various Danish cities—which are documented on this album. These six joyful pieces can easily be likened to the title, "Happiness is To Win a Big Prize," the name of one of the compositions.

The music recorded by the Rava sextet can be classified as hard bop, with a lot of influences from the work of the Miles Davis Quintet during the '50s, especially in the sound of Rava's trumpet.

Latin America is present, as in the work of many contemporary Italian jazz musicians. Pianist Stefano Bollani brings a Latin tinge into almost every piece; the listener can hear the rhythmic structures and vamps from Afro-Caribbean music to tango and other folkloric rhythms from south of the border. It's important to note the appearance and solos of guitarist John Abercrombie on "The Trial" and "Dear Old Stockholm," where he adds a lot of traditional swing to the mixture set up by the Italians.

Track Listing: 1. Tango for Vasquez y Pepita; 2. Certi Angoli Segreti; 3. The Trial; 4. Nature Boy; 5. Happiness Is To Win A Big Prize; 6. Dear Old Stockholm

Personnel: Enrico Rava: trumpet; Gianluca Petrella: trombone; John Abercrombie: guitar; Stefano Bollani: piano; Jesper Bodilsen: bass; Morten Lund: drums.

Record Label: Stunt Records/Sundance Music
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream