Francesco Cafiso Quartet - Angelica (2009)

Francesco Cafiso caught the attention of the European jazz scene and visiting American critic Ira Gitler with his phenomenal duo set with pianist Franco D'Andrea at the 2002 Pescara Jazz Festival, even though the young alto saxophonist was just 13 years old at the time. Angelica represents his eighth CD as a leader, though he was only 19 at the time of the sessions. Cafiso has developed the kind of chops one expects from a veteran; while he is able to execute blazing technical runs, he is more confident to let the music breathe, whether tackling a ballad or a midtempo tune. His supporting cast on these sessions includes pianist Aaron Parks, bassist Ben Street, and drummer Adam Cruz, while the set list includes several jazz standards: a thoughtful, reflective interpretation of Billy Strayhorn's "A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing" and a spirited take of Duke Ellington's "Angelica" (also known as "Purple Gazelle"), along with a warm setting of Horace Silver's "Peace" and a playful romp through Sonny Rollins' infrequently performed "Why Don't I." Cafiso also showcases his own compositions, showing promise, though he is still finding his own voice as a songwriter. It's apparent that Francesco Cafiso isn't taking the praise he received early on too seriously -- he is seeking to make a lasting impression in jazz, and with this fine effort he is on the right path. © Ken Dryden