Bobby Selvaggio - Grass Roots Movement

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:12
Size: 126,0 MB
Art: Front

( 4:38)  1. No Turn on Red
(10:49)  2. Signature Needed
( 5:33)  3. Dust Bunnies
( 5:50)  4. Chicken Legs
( 5:23)  5. Movement
( 6:18)  6. Return to Sender
( 7:41)  7. Fish Food
( 7:57)  8. Spy Movie

Bobby Selvaggio's Grass Roots Movement, marks his sixth release as leader and second outing for Arabesque Records. This quintet record follows his 2009 disc Modern Times, recorded with veteran pianist Kenny Werner. Here, the saxophonist employs some new names, an electric groove, but no worries, the musicianship retains the highest standards. Here he switches on the power with an electric ensemble, where only drummer James Johnson is unplugged. He might as well be plugged in, however, because he animates the affair throughout. His funky drumming opens the disc with "No Turn On Red," a vehicle for Selvaggio to show off his best Maceo Parker imitation. The saxophonist and guitarist Nir Felder match licks lockstep, here and throughout the recording. On the pecking "Chicken Legs" the two create an intricate barnyard dance, with pianist Frank LoCrasto's knobby Fender Rhodes acting as an exciting feed for the composition. Selvaggio gives plenty of room for Felder to strut his stuff, the guitarist favoring crisp notes and an economical approach. His solo on "Dust Bunnies" turns from gregarious showman to thoughtful improviser. Like Selvaggio, the guitarist has a keen sense of economy of notes, even if the pair is brining the funk. On "Return To Sender" groove is the force driving the quintet. Felder's slippery quick guitar lines coat the road for Selvaggio to bark some honking lines over rear-shaking pulse. Same for "Fish Food" a vehicle for Selvaggio and Johnson to duet before the twisty and intricate song emerges.~ Mark Corroto https://www.allaboutjazz.com/grass-roots-movement-bobby-selvaggio-arabesque-jazz-review-by-mark-corroto.php

Personnel: Bobby Selvaggio: alto saxophone; Nir Felder: electric guitar; Frank LoCrasto: Fender Rhodes; Kip Reed: electric bass; James Johnson: drums.

Grass Roots Movement

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Bobby Selvaggio - Unspoken Dialogue

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:54
Size: 153,2 MB
Art: Front

(7:22)  1. Forgotten Man
(7:18)  2. Follow The Leader
(6:39)  3. Like Tears In Rain
(8:46)  4. Jungle Animals
(8:25)  5. None Left Behind
(8:19)  6. Alone Together
(7:21)  7. Spy Movie
(5:17)  8. On The Outside Looking Out
(7:21)  9. Today's A New Day

Listening to Unspoken Dialogue by saxophonist Bobby Selvaggio raises the old debate of composer versus improviser. Of the nine tracks found here, eight were penned by Selvaggio, plus "Alone Together by Arthur Schwartz. Is he a player or a writer? Perhaps arranger is his strongest suit.

Selvaggio's compositions are keen to animate his fellow musicians on this recording, especially the adroit humor that is Kenny Werner's piano and the exuberant trumpet/flugelhorn of Paul Tynan. This ensemble recalls the early Wynton/Branford Marsalis or Bobby Watson bands. That is, the 21st century offspring of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. Like fellow musician Joe Lovano, Selvaggio is both Cleveland-born and a second generation jazz musician. He has been a member of Lovano's 52nd Street Nonet, the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, and the Village Vanguard Orchestra. This is his fourth release as a leader.  That influence is best found in the composition "Jungle Animals. The Selvaggio/Tynan two-horn attack opens into a cheeky and changing path of a melody. Selvaggio shares the track with soloing partners Tynan and Werner. Werner maintains the architecture for Selvaggio to muscle his solo alongside Tynan's very snappy trumpet. This post-bop is both clever and intellectual without sounding dry or academic. Likewise the animated "Spy Movie is a combination muted Miles meets Ennio Morricone at cartoon time, full of funky runs down back alleys.

Selvaggio writes music to gain the most from this specific configuration of players, whether it is a song in full flight like the rambunctious "On The Outside Looking In or the more intimate "Follow The Leader. The latter, taken at a slower pace, never lacks for intensity. He sits in on a nice duo piece, "Like Tears In Rain, where Werner opens with the interior piano strings. Selvaggio's soprano wraps Werner's chamber piano playing with a warmth that is quite difficult to coax out of a the straight horn. Is Selvaggio a better player, composer, or arranger? The answer to all three is yes, as this is a near-perfect recording.~ Mark Corroto https://www.allaboutjazz.com/unspoken-dialogue-bobby-selvaggio-playscape-recordings-review-by-mark-corroto.php

Personnel: Bobby Selvaggio: alto and soprano sax; Kenny Werner: piano; Paul Tynan: trumpet, flugelhorn; Ben Street: bass; Matt Perko: drums; Jamey Haddad: drums and cahon.

Unspoken Dialogue

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Bobby Selvaggio - Modern Times

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:14
Size: 153.9 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[5:23] 1. Quick Solutions
[8:10] 2. Timbuktu Step
[6:32] 3. You've Changed
[4:41] 4. Whirlwind
[8:12] 5. Waiting
[6:49] 6. More Or Less
[6:19] 7. Out Of Time
[9:14] 8. Fastfood Wisdom
[7:20] 9. Time Being
[4:30] 10. Modern Times

Bobby Selvaggio: alto saxophone, soprano saxophone (4, 5, 10); Kenny Werner: piano (3-5, 7, 9, 10); Sean Jones: trumpet (1, 2, 6, 8); Matt Wigton: bass; Nathan Douds: drums; Dan Murphy: piano; Paul Tynan: flugelhorn.

Alto saxophonist Bobby Selvaggio carries an expressive torch when he fronts this ensemble. His fifth CD as leader brings nine original pieces and a cover of "You've Changed" into the improvisation arena for a program of acoustic modern jazz that ranges from quirky and dynamic to bluesy and frank. His fluid tone and easygoing articulation carry the alto and soprano on a journey that respects tradition while pumping new energy into the scene. Selvaggio leaps with high-octane drive on numerous romps and simmers gently with passion on the session's ballads.

A few expressive squeals and experienced blue tones help the leader to create his message with class. He and trumpeter Sean Jones interpret "More or Less" with an authentic legacy that recalls Julian "Cannonball" Adderley feeling down home and pretty much at ease. Along with piano, double bass and background drums, the quintet shines enthusiastically in its candor. Walking bass and an economical rhythm make this track stand out as an automatic favorite. The same happens with "Fastfood Wisdom," which provides sparks for Selvaggio's quintet in a flurry of expressive conversation. This unit has plenty to say, and it's all highly creative. Selvaggio's title track takes a dreamy situation and allows it to ramble with lethargy as a tired soul with moaning interest. Other selections, such as "Out of Time" and "Timbuktu Step," follow a quicker pace that provides spontaneity and refreshing solace. Selvaggio moves randomly through a field where nothing stays the same as he lifts the music and shares it with his fellow artists in a show of rhythmic variety.

Pianists Kenny Werner and Dan Murphy add considerably to the leader's modern jazz session by planting its harmonic foundation and stretching out with creative solo work. Selvaggio enjoys the interplay and smokes alongside their stellar support. Each track contains a new surprise that finds the saxophonist and his musical partners carrying the jazz torch over uncharted territory.

Modern Times mc
Modern Times zippy

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