Articles

Enten Eller: Tiresia

By Mark Corroto

The Italian super-gruppo Enten Eller returns with Tiresia a set of improvisations for the epicurist. I suggest the music connoisseur who prefers to indulge in the prolonged unwrapping of their experience can get the most out of the three lengthy compositions this quartet delivers. Maybe a better phrase would be, gives birth to. A working quartet since the 1980s, Enten Eller's members, drummer Massimo Barbiero, trumpeter Alberto Mandarini, guitarist Maurizio Brunod, and bassist Giovanni Maier have made nearly ...

Enten Eller: Pietas

By Mark Corroto

There may be an Italian jazz ensemble that has been together longer than Enten Eller, but certainly there's not one that is as innovative and expressive as this quartet. Founded some 25 years ago by guitarist Maurizio Brunod and drummer Massimo Barbiero, the group has maintained its lineup with trumpeter Albert Mandarini and bassist Giovanni Maier for many years. The quartet has expanded occasionally with the invitations to distinguished players such as Tim Berne heard on Melquiades (Splasc(h), ...

Enten Eller & Tim Berne (Splasc: Auto da fe

By Mark Corroto

Saxophonist Tim Berne returns to record a second disc with the Italian band Enten Eller. This date like the 1999 recording Melquades, also on the Italian Spasc(H) Records, is more than a blowing session. Additionally, this recording is also more than either Berne fitting into Enten Eller’s musical system, or they his.

Trumpeter Alberto Mandarini (Italian Instabile Orchestra) is a flash fire horn man capable of tossing notes like a rapper’s insults. He can also stretch lengthy tension-filled lines across ...