Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Mauro Schiavone: UFO

4

Mauro Schiavone: UFO

By

Sign in to view read count
Mauro Schiavone: UFO
The amalgamated form of a fully integrated jazz trio is thing of beauty. A united ensemble finds each note played by the pianist somehow anticipated by bass and drums. When said trio is primed even for improvised passages, then the performance is something special.

Perhaps pianist Mauro Schiavone's trio record should have been titled "ESP" instead of UFO.

The disc contains five trio pieces, three with the addition of guitarist Francesco Guaiana, and one that adds saxophonist Gaspare Palazzolo. In between, Schiavone lays down four short "Frammento" (Fragments)—solo piano pieces.

The music references that of Swedish pianist Esbjorn Svensson whose use of the piano trio drew from classical jazz and modern beats. Schiavone's references to Svensson begin with "Risiko!" an intricate techno sounding acoustic jazz composition that oscillates between a sympathetic post-bop and a more contemporary sound. Schiavone has a way of combining styles that leave traditionalists satisfied, but also please modern ears.

"Follow Me" is a breakneck speed piece of post-bop piano with each player rushing towards a crash and derailment that never happens. When the pianist eases back, Gabrio Bevilacqua's bass walks (no, runs) through a delicious solo. The same speed is heard on "Inquieto," a restless piece that was penned by the pianist but could have easily been part of the rock band Nirvana's repertoire. The pounding quiet-to-loud beat of Roberto Pistolesi mimics the same pummeling of Schiavone's keyboard.

Of the three tracks with guitarist Francesco Guaiana, the ballad "Leaves" strikes the strongest chord. Schiavone's abilities at both the keyboard and in composition demonstrate that he is a complete musician.

Track Listing

Un'idea Fissa (Frammento); Risiko!; Esbjörn; Follow Me; Inquieto (Frammento); Un'idea Fissa; Inquieto; Ufo (Frammento); Leaves; My Man's Gone Now; Way Back Counterpoint; Esbjörn (Frammento); UFO.

Personnel

Mauro Schiavone: piano; Gabrio Bevilacqua: double bass; Roberto Pistolesi: drums; Francesco Guaiana: guitar (9, 11, 13); Gaspare Palazzolo: tenor saxophone (6).

Album information

Title: UFO | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Improvvisatore Involontario

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

What Was Happening
Bobby Wellins Quartet
Laugh Ash
Ches Smith
A New Beat
Ulysses Owens, Jr. and Generation Y

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.