Gianni Basso Fabrizio Bosso Quintet Chapter Two - Sweet And Lovely (2003)

The second in a series of studio recordings pairing veteran tenor saxophonist Gianni Basso with the young trumpeter Fabrizio Bosso takes a slightly different route than the first volume. A different rhythm section, including young pianist Andrea Pozza, bassist Luciano Milanese, and drummer Stefano Bagnoli is on hand, while the selection of songs focuses more on the jazz compositions from the 1950s, though standards remain part of the mix. Russ Freeman's "Fan Tan" provides an easygoing opener, with subtle percussion breaks interspersed between the leaders' exchanges. Bosso's muted trumpet complements his partner beautifully in "Sweet and Lovely." Basso's "Zoot" (a tribute to the late tenor saxophonist Zoot Sims, written with Dusko Goykovich) is a swinger based on the chord changes to the standard "I Can't Believe That You're in Love with Me." The leaders are at their most playful in the rarely played blues "Jones' Beach." Basso's solo feature is an extended workout of "Pennies from Heaven." Recommended. © Ken Dryden