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Billy Lester: High Standards
by Richard J Salvucci
This is a very difficult recording to evaluate. If Billy Lester is living in Italy, the Italians are lucky. Someone has to be beyond sophisticated to pull off what Lester has done. He has, in essence, taken the GAS (Great American Songbook) and, with perhaps one exception, has improvised to the chord changes over the tunes. Imaginatively. Very imaginatively. Unfortunately, it really takes a pretty deep knowledge of music theory to appreciate what Lester has done. But if you have ...
Continue ReadingThe Billy Lester Trio: High Standards
by Pierre Giroux
With The Billy Lester Trio pianist Billy Lester offers a thrilling new chapter in his decades-long exploration of melodic abstraction and rhythmic vitality. Joined by bassist Marcello Testa and drummer Nicola Stranieri, Lester delivers a set that is as spontaneous, virtuosic, and inventive as any in his discography. For those unfamiliar with his music, this album serves as a perfect introduction, capturing the magic of his off-the-cuff ingenuity while reaffirming his singular voice in the jazz piano tradition. ...
Continue ReadingBilly Lester Trio: High Standards
by Jack Bowers
Pianist Billy Lester's album High Standards, recorded in 2017 in Italy, encompasses Lester's singular versions of eight memorable standards from the Great American Songbook. Although Lester plays sublimely, and his Italian rhythm section is first-class, the lingering impression is that something is missing. Yes, something is clearly missing...but what could it be? Lester's technique is impeccable, his improvisations sharp and clever, while the rhythm section (bassist Marcello Testa, drummer Nicola Stranieri) is focused and alert, lending strong ...
Continue ReadingCurran; Schiaffini; C. Neto; Armaroli: The Out Off Session
by Neri Pollastri
Ripreso dal vivo al teatro Out Off di Milano nel 2017, questo DVD documenta un concerto con un programma di brani tratti dal Fake Book del compositore e performer statunitense Alvin Curran, interpretati dall'autore assieme a un quartetto che, nella seconda parte, si allarga a sestetto. Curran, da lungo tempo residente in Italia, iniziò a mettere a punto il suo Fake Book a metà del primo decennio degli anni 2000, per poi perfezionarlo nel 2014. Il compositore considera ...
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