Jazz Articles about Stefano di Battista

Stefano Di Battista: Parker's Mood

by Mark F. Turner
January 24, 2005

The spirit of Charlie “Bird" Parker continues in recent recordings from the deconstructed interpretations of Anthony Braxton's Charlie Parker Project to the modern techno-manipulation of Bird Up! -- The Charlie Parker Remix Project. Now saxophonist Stefano Di Battista brings listeners a more straight-ahead tribute to the founder of bebop. While the true magic of Parker's music can only be imitated, Battista does an admirable job of capturing the essence of classic swing on this new recording.

Both purists and progressives ...

Stefano Di Battista: Stefano Di Battista: Parker's Mood

by Paul Olson
January 19, 2005

If you've seen the title, you've probably got this one figured out. Parker's Mood , Italian saxophonist Stefano Di Battista's fourth Blue Note CD as a leader, is a Charlie Parker tribute. Di Battista's usual bassist and trumpeter Rosario Bonaccorso and Flavio Boltro are teamed up for this session with the Stateside duo of pianist Kenny Barron and Jazz at Lincoln Center powerhouse drummer Herlin Riley for a collection of Birdsongs that stick pretty closely to the originals. Interestingly, the ...

Stefano Di Battista: Round About Roma

by Mark Corroto
February 2, 2003

Italian saxophonist Stefano Di Battista could spill a can of paint onto a canvas, only to find he has made a beautiful picture. In other words, every breath that passes through his horn is attractive.

His latest project Round About Roma creates an imaginary cinema score, with strings by the Symphonic Orchestra of Paris, that could have been a 1960's romantic film centered in Rome. Together with composer/arranger Vince Mendoza, Di Battista weaves jazz elements into these well-tempered ...

Stefano Di Battista: Round About Roma

by Jim Santella
February 2, 2003

Stefano Di Battista sparkles with his quartet, a full symphonic orchestra, and a lush string ensemble on this new release. Capturing the romantic spirit of an exotic Roman holiday, the saxophonist’s modern mainstream creations inch forward gracefully. Di Battista has discovered a great way to describe old Rome without showing its age. Tradition and modernity have a common thread – lyricism – upon which the saxophonist relies. Thus, Di Battista’s modern mainstream improvisations pay homage to his birthplace while serving ...

Stefano Di Battista: Round About Roma

by Mark F. Turner
February 1, 2003

Stefano Di Battista’s 3rd recording Round About Roma captures the alluring romanticism of Rome. A talented and expressive saxophonist, Di Battista has a distinctive sound that has captured the listening ears of great jazz performers such as pianist Michel Petrucciani and drummer Elvin Jones on some of their recent recordings. Having received success and popularity in Paris over the past few years, Di Battista dedicates his new recording to his birthplace of Rome.

The key element providing the feel of ...

Stefano Di Battista: Stefano Di Battista

by Jim Santella
April 1, 2001

You can hear it in his originals. John Coltrane. Johnny Hodges. Art Pepper. Jackie McLean. Cannonball Adderley.

Saxophonist Stefano Di Battista has studied the best. A native of Rome, the leader just turned thirty-two. While working in Paris, Di Battista has earned the kind of recognition that opens doors. This is his third album as leader, but the first to be released in the U.S.

Jacky Terrasson contributes two songs and bassist Rosario Bonaccorso contributes one. The rest are Di ...