Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Enrico Pieranunzi Quartet: Alone Together

426

Enrico Pieranunzi Quartet: Alone Together

By

Sign in to view read count
Enrico Pieranunzi Quartet: Alone Together
This group is further evidence that jazz is a universal music knowing neither language nor geographic boundary. The countries represented at this session are Italy, Holland, England/ Belgium (Philip Catherine), and the United States, all recording for a Dutch label. The session is a bit of a departure by leader and bop artist Enrico Pieranunzi in that it is devoted to the exploration of standard material. Perhaps this is due to the presence of one of the more lyrical guitar players around these days, former wunderkind Catherine. Whatever, Pieranunzi does not leave behind his use of modern jazz figures to give new luster to these standards. The pianist, like one of his influences Bill Evans, manages to combine elegance with thoughtful demeanor that is picked up by each member of the group. There's nothing raucous nor harsh present, just quiet rumination in, around, over under and the melody line gently tweaking chord structures as they move along. On "My Foolish Heart", for example, Pieranunzi and Catherine exchange choruses recreating this tune into their own melodic masterpiece. It's also an occasion for pizzicato bass by Hein Van de Geyn. Staying with the script is the contemplative trumpet of Eric Vloeimans who taps the Miles Davis style adding a few twists of his own on the title tune, "Alone Together". Tracks such as "Just of Those Things" help to dispel the notion that Europeans can't swing. Of course, the prime mover behind the up tempo stuff is American drummer, Joe LaBarbera getting considerable help from Catherine. In fact, the guitarist is as much responsible for making this an attractive release as any other member of the group. In any event, Alone Together is top of the line small group jazz and is recommended.

Track Listing

Speak Low; My Foolish Heart; What Is This Thing Called Love*; Sweet and Lovely; You've Changed; Just One of Those Things; Alone Together*; Tenderly; How Deep Is the Ocean; You Don't Know What Love Is*; I Didn't Know What Time It Was; Moonglow

Personnel

Enrico Pieranuzi - Piano; Philip Catherine - Guitar; Hein Van de Geyn - Bass; Joe LaBarbera - Drums; Eric Vloeimans* - Trumpet

Album information

Title: Alone Together | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Challenge Records

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

Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio
Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

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