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Michael Musillami Trio: Pride
by Karl Ackermann
With ten albums as a leader in his portfolio, guitarist and composer, Michael Musillami remains disproportionately under the radar in the public domain. Working in formats from duo to octet and inspired by classic artists like John Coltrane and Miles Davis, Musillami has a gifted touch for arranging the traditional and highly improvisational together in accessible ways. Pride features Musillami's decade-long established trio of bassist Joe Fonda and drummer George Schuller, a rhythm section made for this kind of versatility.
Continue ReadingMichael Musillami Trio: Old Tea
by AAJ Italy Staff
La storia del jazz è piena di musicisti rimasti inspiegabilmente nell'ombra nonostante fossero circondati dalla stima di colleghi e addetti ai lavori. Se in particolare prendiamo in considerazione i chitarristi ho la sensazione che il numero dei cosiddetti musician's musicians sia più alto: a differenza di quanto successo nel rock, la chitarra spesso non ha avuto una funzione guida ed il ruolo dei chitarristi è stato di frequente appartato, anche in veste di leader. Attivo professionalmente dai primi anni settanta ...
Continue ReadingMichael Musillami: Old Tea
by Lyn Horton
Guitarist Michael Musillami has seized onto the meaning of irreplaceable moments with Old Tea, dedicated to his 29-year-old son, who took his own life on March 10, 2009. In an extraordinarily touching story, Musillami's liner notes say what cannot be said musically. But the music, executed by his outstanding regular trio, expresses more than can be verbalized. Bassist Joe Fonda and drummer George Schuller take on Musillami's music with a sensitivity befitting the celebration of human life. ...
Continue ReadingMichael Musillami Trio: Old Tea
by Nic Jones
Guitarist Michael Musillami composed the music for this program in the wake of his son Evan's death. The fact that it's measured and profoundly beautiful is testament to what music can do, and the fact that it's so superbly realized comes down to the fact that this trio is supremely empathetic. Five recordings to date are testament to why this is, and of these this is arguably the one that hits the spot most resoundingly.
Knowledge is sometimes a debilitating ...
Continue ReadingMichael Musillami: Old Tea
by Troy Collins
In March 2009, guitarist Michael Musillami's son, Evan, took his own life at the age of 29. During the months that followed, Musillami composed a book of tunes inspired by and dedicated to Evan, which make up Old Tea, the fifth release from his veteran trio. Named after Lao Cha, a rare form of Taiwanese Oolong, Old Tea refers to a pastime Musillami and his son often enjoyed together--sharing a good cup of tea. Aided by the empathetic contributions of ...
Continue ReadingMichael Musillami Trio + 3: From Seeds
by AAJ Italy Staff
Ci sono musicisti che vivono lontani dalle luci della ribalta, che operano all'interno di un territorio limitato, latitano dai grandi eventi e dai festival più rinomati, non fanno tendenza, ma sono riconosciuti come veri maestri dai propri colleghi e producono della gran musica. E' il caso del chitarrista e compositore californiano Michael Musillami che con questo From Seeds aggiunge un altro tassello importante alla sua produzione non certo copiosa. Lo storico trio con Joe Fonda e George Schuller è rinforzato ...
Continue ReadingMichael Musillami Trio + 3: From Seeds
by Lyn Horton
Following guitarist's Michael Musillami's The Treatment (Playscape, 2007), in which his trio featuring bassist Joe Fonda and drummer George Schuller worked with violinist Mark Feldman, From Seeds weds his trio with trumpeter Ralph Alessi, alto saxophonist Marty Ehrlich and vibraphonist, Matt Moran. The definition between Musillami's core trio and the other trifecta is both magnified and stressed in all six of Musillami's compositions. The music is a complete interwoven strand, strengthened with instrumental lines that come together ...
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