Home » Jazz Articles » Multiple Reviews » Joe Chindamo: Smokingun / Duende: The Romantic Project

256

Joe Chindamo: Smokingun / Duende: The Romantic Project

By

View read count








Graeme Lyall/Joe Chindamo
Smokingun
New Market Music
2007


Joe Chindamo
Duende: The Romantic Project
Jazzhead
2007




Though in the States pianist Joe Chindamo is basically an unknown, Down Under he is showered with accolades and awards. With a career dating back to the ‘70s, Chindamo has amassed impressive associations: Billy Cobham, Larry Coryell, Ernie Watts, Ray Brown and Breckers Michael and Randy, as well as Aussie trumpeter James Morrison and saxophonists Paul Williamson and Don Burrows.

Add to that list countryman Graeme Lyall, a veteran alto and soprano saxophonist. Associated since the ‘80s, their Smokingun reveals a deep mutual and musical respect — Dvorák's "Going Home" and Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer" are both introspective duos for quick proof. Lyall's sweet tone on alto is unmistakably reminiscent of Paul Desmond's lyrical charm combined with comfortable stylistic nods to Lee Konitz' also cool but more experimental proclivities; Desmond is also relevant for his association with Dave Brubeck, a stylistic model for this quartet. On Desmond's timeless "Take Five", however, Chindamo wisely not only rearranges the tune but alters the instrumentation — one of the more unique versions with the leader on accordion, his original instrument before switching to piano as a teenager. Phil Rex (bass) and David Beck (drums) create a continuously morphing bed of tempo changes on "Take Five" as well as on the two Mingus-associated numbers: "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" (featuring an impressive extended solo bass intro) and Joni Mitchell's "God Must Be A Boogie Man" (spurring tension and release by alternating the sweet-turned-funky melody with sections of near atonality).

For Duende: The Romantic Project, Chindamo chooses a different avenue of expression, again with a quartet but this time of strings: guitar (Doug DeVries), violin (Nigel Maclean) and bass (Sam Anning). Recorded live, but initially unintended for release, at the acoustically exquisite BMW The Edge Theater at this year's Melbourne Jazz Festival, the 11 tunes (six composed by Chindamo) mix an undeniable jazz undertone with more cinematic selections (Chindamo's music has appeared in over 60 films). Touches of Chick Corea and Bill Evans sprout up, as well as a liberal use of other influences; Bach, folk music from the pianist's Italian ancestors and even Irish music don't compromise the sedate introspection of this concept album.


Tracks and Personnel

Smokingun

Tracks: Slaughter on Tenth Avenue 9:44); The Magnificent Seven; Look for the Silver Lining; Where is Love; Goodbye Porkpie Hat; Going Home (from New World Symphony; God Must Be A Boogie Man; Goldfinger; Take Five; The Entertainer.

Personnel: Joe Chindamo: piano, accordion; Graeme Lyall: alto and soprano sax; Phil Rex: bass; Dave Beck: drums.

Duende: The Romantic Project

Tracks: Another Story; Moments and Eternities; The Bermuda Tango; E Lucevan le Stelle; Something Will Come To Light; Elegy for Rita/Astoria; Besame Mucho; Saying Goodbye; Una Furtiva Lagrima; Tarantism; Corcovado.

Personnel: Joe Chindamo: piano; Doug DeVries: guitar; Nigel Maclean: violin; Sam Anning: bass.

Tags

Comments


PREVIOUS / NEXT




Support All About Jazz

Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

Near

More

Tramonto
John Taylor
Ki
Natsuki Tamura / Satoko Fujii
Duality Pt: 02
Dom Franks' Strayhorn
The Sound of Raspberry
Tatsuya Yoshida / Martín Escalante

Popular

Old Home/New Home
The Brian Martin Big Band
My Ideal
Sam Dillon
Ecliptic
Shifa شفاء - Rachel Musson, Pat Thomas, Mark Sanders
Lado B Brazilian Project 2
Catina DeLuna & Otmaro Ruíz

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.

Install All About Jazz

iOS Instructions:

To install this app, follow these steps:

All About Jazz would like to send you notifications

Notifications include timely alerts to content of interest, such as articles, reviews, new features, and more. These can be configured in Settings.