Claudio Giambruno - Overseas (2023) Hi Res

The talented jazz saxophonist and composer, leader of the project, is joined by three prominent names on the national jazz scene: Andrea Rea (piano), Dario Rosciglione (double bass) and Amedeo Ariano (drums). The tracklist is made up of nine songs, of which four are original compositions resulting from the creativity of Claudio Giambruno (First Time I Heard Jobim, Gouvy, Sea Muse, Thinkin' Before Swingin'), while the other five represent a warm homage to some exceptional authors and composers of the caliber of Dan Nimmer (Lu's Bounce), Ugo Calise and Carlo Alberto Rossi ('Na Voce 'na Chitarra and 'o Poco 'e Luna), Linda Creed and Thom Bell (You Make Me Feel Brand New), Vince Guaraldi (Ginza Samba), Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley (Pure Imagination). Overseas is a record of clear hard-bop origin, in the sign of a profound respect for the jazz tradition. It comes to light from an enchanting welcoming land, rich in scents, traditions and various influences such as Sicily. The Palermo leader experiences the sense of distance, from a geographical point of view, almost as if it were penalizing, partly also from the climatic point of view and the approach to the many nuances of life. But at the same time, music also exerts a wonderful unifying power that significantly shortens these distances, breaking down any kind of fence. The noble intent of Giambruno, at the head of this quartet, is to emphasize the magic of Mediterranean fascinations - but still in full hard-bop style - as well as enhancing the peculiarities of Italian jazz linked to tradition. Overseas represents the sublimation of an evolutionary process, growth and maturity experienced firsthand by the saxophonist from Palermo who, supported by a formidable trio, has the laudable objective of definitively consecrating his artistic career. The Sicilian jazz musician talks about the genesis of his new album like this: «Overseas is the title of my new project, a quartet featuring Andrea Rea on piano, Dario Rosciglione on double bass and Amedeo Ariano on drums. They are three extraordinary jazz musicians with whom I immediately got in tune, both from a musical and human point of view. I chose the musicians of this lineup very carefully. I consider Andrea Rea one of the best Italian pianists of the new generation. I am struck by his verve and class in his accompaniment. Dario Rosciglione, in addition to his boundless experience, is a professional who I have respected practically since I was a child. Finally, Amedeo Ariano struck me because he is a unique drummer, he is not a drummer like the others, Amedeo plays music in an excellent way. Overseas is an album of my original songs and some compositions that I chose with great care, where the common denominator is the melody, to which I have always attributed a highly significant value. The melody, for me, is the meaning of the story we tell."