Articles by Paolo Marra
Ashley Henry: The Beauty Of Inclusive Music
by Paolo Marra
Pianist and composer Ashley Henry is one of the most interesting talents coming out of the British Jazz scene, which has been commanding growing international recognition. His debut album Beautiful Vinyl Hunter (Universal, 2019) revealed a universe in which grime, r&b and hip-hop coexist with the respect and recognition for the great jazz players of the past. Raised in South-East London amid Afro-Caribbean rhythms and records by Stevie Wonder, Prince and Marvin Gaye, graduated in Jazz Music from ...
Continue ReadingEnrico Pieranunzi: From Always to Now
by Paolo Marra
Forty-one years after its original release on a little known but quite active independent label from the '70s, Edi Pan, Alfa Music has recently reissued From Always to Now, one the most important records by pianist and composer Enrico Pieranunzi. From Always to Now represents the high point in the pianist's hard-bop phase, during which Pieranunzi's impetuous style was heavily influenced by McCoy Tyner. Shortly afterwards, inspired by his collaboration with Chet Baker, Pieranunzi would embrace the more meditative and ...
Continue ReadingGary Bartz: Music For Expanding One's Own Mind
by Paolo Marra
Some jazz musicians are the embodiment of a specific historical period. Their performances conjure memories of the very ideals, passions, and philosophies that characterized an era. This is certainly true of American saxophonist Gary Bartz. After joining Art Blakey & the Jazz Messangers and collaborating with McCoy Tyner on the pianist's tenth album, Expansions (Blue Note, 1968), Bartz joined Miles Davis' band in 1970, playing an active role in recording the groundbreaking album Live-Evil (Columbia). Bartz's diverse musical ...
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