Eric DiVito: The Second Time Around

In his follow-up to his well-received debut release Breaking the Ice (2012, PJC Records), guitarist Eric DiVito's sophomore album The Second Time Around is a satisfying display of DiVito's dazzling abilities as a musician. With an impressive trio comprised of Corcoran Holt on bass and Alyssa Falk Verheyn on drums, DiVito provides the listener with a pleasing mix of well-crafted originals and intriguing adaptations of a few jazz standards.

Located in New York City, DiVito is active on the local jazz scene and is respected as a highly trained composer and educator, with a B.M. from The Crane School of Music at the State University of New York at Potsdam and an M.A. from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College, focusing on jazz and classical guitar. Although still a relatively young man at 32, DiVito's is gaining a reputation as a guitarist to be watched as he continues to develop his perceptive and intuitive skills as a musician and composer.

Utilizing a beautiful yet subtle guitar tone throughout The Second Time Around, DiVito lays hypnotic foundations to tracks such as "2nd Story (the album's opening piece), and teasingly inserts his nuanced improvisation around the intricate theme he creates. Also appearing in "2nd Story" is the saxophonist heavyweight Steve Wilson. DiVito generously allows Wilson ample opportunity to shine throughout the song, and Wilson takes advantage by providing captivating solos and skilled interplay with the trio. Wilson also contributes his experience and musical chops on two other tracks composed by DiVito, "Autumn" and "Sun Script." Both pieces leave the listener wanting more, as the interplay between each of the musicians is joyful and innovative. Vocalist Mavis SWAN Poole also appears on two tracks and provides an absorbing and eloquent contribution to Hoagy Carmichael's "Skylark" and the title track, the Jimmy Van Heusen/Sammy Cahn composition "The Second Time Around."

DiVito also pays homage with tasteful and inventive adaptations of "Windows" by Chick Corea, "Iris" by Wayne Shorter and "Inner Urge" by Joe Henderson. With regard to the recording process with his fine trio and with his guest musicians, DiVito plays with a seamless and simpatico vibe. Upon listening to The Second Time Around, it is clear that Eric DiVito is a talent that the jazz community will look forward to watching as he continues to ascend in his blossoming career.