Gianfranco Menzella: Dedicated To Bob Berg

The name of tenor and soprano saxophonist Bob Berg seems to be mentioned less frequently over time, but he was one of the most gifted saxophonists in the generation that followed in the wake of John Coltrane. His passion, timing and technique were among the best. In some ways, his style was similar to Michael Brecker; he moved in similar circles but seems to have slipped into the shadows as Brecker gained significant popularity.

Berg was involved in free jazz in the late 1960s before re-focusing on acoustic bebop to work with Horace Silver and Cedar Walton in the 1970s and Miles Davis in the early 1980s. His first album as leader came in 1987 with Short Stories (Denon). More albums followed and his accomplished improvisation skills were featured on work with Joe Locke, Mike Stern, Chick Corea and Joe Henderson. He died in a car accident in 2002 at the age of 51.

Gianfranco Menzella is a well-known Italian saxophonist. Dedicated To Bob Berg is his fifth album as leader. He has collaborated with artists of the calibre of Steve Grossman, Danilo Rea and Kenny Werner. He is joined by bassist Carlo Bavetta and drummer Pasquale Fiore. They are often heard as the rhythm section for pianist Antonio Faraò. Completing the lineup is award-winning pianist Eugenio Macchia. They explore Berg's legacy over seven tracks, with an additional track composed by Menzella.

The album opens with "Angles." This track was composed by Berg and featured on his album Enter the Spirit (Stretch Records, 1993). The project is concerned with paying tribute and channelling his style and lyricism in a contemporary fashion. Even so, sound engineer Tommy Cavalieri maintains a period atmosphere alongside modern sound clarity. Menzella's fast, fluid sax phrases get the tone just right. There are similarities to Berg's original, as one would expect, but Menzella brings his energy in a bright and swinging opener.

This is followed by Chick Corea's "Promise," taken from the same album. Across the well-paced nine minutes, the quartet do not try to reinvent the track, just adding a contemporary drive to the elegant late-night feel. Menzella and Macchia contribute fine solos, Bavetta's bass anchors, allowing Fiore's drum work freedom to shine. Berg's composition, "Second Sight," has an insistent Celtic—flavoured sax motif and bluesy backing. Macchia's solo is the highlight, as the first half of the album closes with Mike Stern's "The Search."

The ballad "Mr. Berg" is a Menzella original and not out of place in this company. His tenor sax builds through lyrical phrases in a well-judged tribute. Oscar-winner Harry Warren's song "Summer Night" was one that Berg played frequently. The fast tempo arrangement here allows the quartet to generate swing. There is a tender version of Stevie Wonder's "The Secret Life of Plants" before the album closes with "Sometime Ago," the romantic waltz giving way to an up-tempo finish.

In addition to serving as a tribute to Berg, this album also reminds us of his legacy, passionate playing and influence. This exemplary quartet get to the kernel of what made Berg's music so compelling. Delivering powerful performances that capture the essence of the intent of the album, they fully deserve four stars and are knocking on the door for more.