Matt Renzi - Arm-Sized Legging (2020)

Three P’s Records is pleased to announce the July 1 release of Arm-Sized Legging, tenor saxophonist/clarinetist/ composer Matt Renzi’s perfectly crafted new album featuring his chamber-jazz project, the Cello Quartet.

Arm-Sized Legging covers a wide variety of sonorities and musical textures ranging from intimate, lyrical melodies to more abstract pieces taking the listener on a captivating musical journey. Twenty Six For Three is rooted heavily in the blues, which Renzi uses as a vehicle to weave his bold rhythmic lines through. Cave Tune is a playful, Americana-type song featuring Ivry’s elegant cello work and Renzi’s microtonal-bop soloing. “It’s not about flashy technique” says Renzi. “I’m more interested in what’s behind the notes; the energy, focus and intensity that goes into each and every note.” For this outing, Renzi uses his longtime rhythm section cohorts Bulkey and Wiitala. “We’ve developed deep a sense of musical trust and intuition as a trio over the years,” says Renzi.

Alfama and Alfama II are Renzi’s signature songs in the Chamber-jazz genre. Both tracks are drum-less and feature his warm-toned lyrical clarinet work accompanied by a haunting counter-melody played by Ivry. The latter showcases Renzi’s woodwind work on alto flute and bass clarinet. “This recording is very special to me” says Renzi “because it combines my experiences in both the classical music and jazz world.”

Renzi talks about his choice of instrumentation for this project. “The cello can be used both as a melodic and harmonic instrument” he says. “I wanted to explore different ways of blending the timbre of the two instruments together.” Ivry, a trained classical musician and impeccable improviser, is a perfect match for the repertoire. “We are all four tuned into the same psychic frequency and touch upon these intimate musical spaces on this recording,” says Matt.