Dave Pietro - The Talisman

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2024
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:09
Size: 156,5 MB
Art: Front

(6:08) 1. Essence
(6:26) 2. The Windmills Of Your Mind
(8:11) 3. Auriga
(7:19) 4. The Talisman
(8:15) 5. Alexandra
(7:05) 6. Yvette
(7:31) 7. Eternal Optimism
(7:46) 8. Until The Day
(9:24) 9. Adagietto From Symphony No. 5

Things kick off here in classic hard bop guise finding US altoist Dave Pietro fuse with trumpeter Scott Wendholt the rhythm section steered so consummately by Billy Drummond. Pietro's first album for Danish label Steeplechase, tunes include originals, a version of Michel Legrand's timeless 'The Windmills of Your Mind' and I didn't see this coming at all a beautiful version of Mahler’s 'Adagietto' from his 5th symphony.

Pianist Gary Versace is very listenable throughout I'd pick out his soloing on 'Auriga' and on the introduction to the Mahler, while bassist Jay Anderson adds gravitas to the stand-out title track so well. Pietro is more a modernist than you'd think at first glance, essentially steeped in the language of bop and beyond, and knows exactly what he wants to say with it. He has very persuasive tone on a subdued ballad like 'Alexandra' and again melds so well with Wendholt on 'Yvette'. Recommended. SG https://www.marlbank.net/posts/dave-pietro-the-talisman-steeplechase

Personnel: Dave Pietro - (alto saxophone) Scott Wendholt - (trumpet) Gary Versace - (piano)

The Talisman

---

Dave Pietro - Standard Wonder: The Music of Stevie Wonder

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 69:17
Size: 158,6 MB
Art: Front

(5:27) 1. Too High
(6:41) 2. All in Love Is Fair
(6:05) 3. Smile Please
(6:30) 4. Go Home
(4:34) 5. You and I (Interlude)
(7:47) 6. The Secret Life of Plants
(6:09) 7. Contusion
(5:22) 8. Happier Than the Morning Sun
(7:10) 9. Visions
(6:26) 10. Another Star
(3:34) 11. Overjoyed
(3:27) 12. Come Back as a Flower

A few of Stevie Wonder's songs have been performed by jazz musicians, but this CD by saxophonist Dave Pietro is one of the first extensive explorations of his work outside of pop. Pietro shifts between soprano, alto, and C-melody saxophones (the latter instrument hasn't been used very much in jazz since the '30s). Pietro's playing is very strong throughout the date, and his arrangements are first-rate, often contrasting sharply with the composer's original approaches.

"Another Star" features Pietro's superb C-melody sax in a modal setting that seems to occasionally hint at Miles Davis' "Nardis." His tasty soprano sax is a highlight of "The Secret Life of Plants," a song that could be overlooked by jazz fans who haven't heard Wonder's original record, because such a title might easily be mistaken for a typical new age release. The lively, Latin-flavored "Smile Please" and the lovely ballad "You and I-Interlude" are also highlights, but the dull electric piano keeps "All in Love Is Fair" (a favorite of pianist Marian McPartland, who has performed it many times) from reaching its full potential.

The strong supporting cast includes keyboardist David Berkman, trumpeter and flugelhornist Scott Wendholt, trombonist Pete McGuinness, guitarist Pete McCann, bassist Scott Colley, and drummer Brian Blade. One can easily imagine many more jazz musicians following Dave Pietro's lead in putting together a Stevie Wonder songbook of their own.By Ken Dryden
https://www.allmusic.com/album/standard-wonder-the-music-of-stevie-wonder-mw0000591513

Personnel: Dave Pietro - Soprano/Alto & C-melody Sax; Scott Wendholt - Trumpet/Flugelhorn; Pete McGuinness - Trombone; Pete McCann - Guitar; David Berkman - Piano/ Organ/ Fender Rhodes; Scott Colley - Bass; Brian Blade - Drums

Standard Wonder: The Music of Stevie Wonder

---