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Robert Bonati Chironomic Orchestra: Whirling Leaves
by Duncan Heining
Whirling Leaves is a wonderful, intriguing album from Roberto Bonati, one of Europe's most interesting and creative composers. Bonati's previous large ensemble records have all essayed specific themes, from “The Scottish Play" from The Blanket of the Dark, a Study for Lady Macbeth ( MM Records, 2001) to the migratory nature and evolution of medieval music on Le Rêve du Jongleur (Parafroniere, 1999). With Whirling Leaves, however, there appears to be no such programme intent here. The music is its ...
Continue ReadingRoberto Bonati: Vesper and Silence
by John Kelman
Roberto Bonati may not be a name familiar to many jazz fans in North America, but at home in Italy and, increasingly, across Europe he has become a far more familiar face. Beyond inimitable talents as a double bassist, composer and conductor, Bonati has created a name both for himself and the northern Italian city of Parma for its far-reaching annual festival, ParmaFrontiere, first launched in 1996 and where he has remained Artistic Director ever since. ParmaFrontiere's name has gained ...
Continue ReadingRoberto Bonati: Nor Sea, nor Land, nor Salty Waves
by Duncan Heining
Italian composer and bassist is a master of the musical journey. Rêve de Jongleur (2000) with the ParmaFrontiere Orchestra took the listener along the pilgrim routes of medieval Europe that carried the song of the troubadour, as well as the faithful and goods to trade. A Silvery Silence--fragments from Moby Dick (2006) followed the whalers of 19th century Nantucket on their cruel hunt for the creature that would prove Ahab's nemesis. Now with the Bjergstad Jazz Ensemble, Bonati explores the ...
Continue ReadingRoberto Bonati and Diana Torto: Heureux Comme Avec Une Femme
by Bruce Lindsay
There are few musical things as exciting as a top-class vocalist fronting a full-on big band. Just a few. One of those is a top-class vocalist paired with a single, equally talented, instrumentalist. Heureux Comme Avec Une Femme provides that form of musical excitement courtesy of Italian double bassist and composer Roberto Bonati and vocalist Diana Torto.It's rare to hear a vocalist capable of the intensity that Torto can muster: rare, also, to hear the double bass played ...
Continue ReadingRoberto Bonati Trio: Bianco il vestito nel buio
by John Kelman
Spending considerable time as Artistic Director of Italy's creative ParmaFrontiere-- occurring in Parma each fall, a festival small in size but broad in scope--Roberto Bonati spends the rest of his time as a double bassist who, amongst other things, is one of GIanluigi Trovesi's top-calls, last heard with the Italian saxophonist/clarinetist's Ottetto on Fugace (ECM, 2003). Leading his own groups, more often than not Bonati writes for larger ensembles, specifically the ParmaFrontiere Orchestra that includes, amongst others, Siena-based pianist Stefano ...
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