Michele Polga - Doors (2025)

Quartet recording by Italian saxophonist Michele Polga, the album is mainly made up of his own highly melodic compositions, plus Benny Golson's 'Along Came Betty'. Michele Polga is a cornerstone of the Italian jazz scene and acknowledge internationally for his high-performance levels and the originality of his compositions. Probably best known for his work with trumpet stars Fabrizio Bosso and Paolo Fresu, pianist Carla Bley, bassist Steve Swallow, composer and jazz orchestrater Maria Schneider, and saxophonist Paul Jeffrey, these are just a few of the high profile names he has engaged with on stage and in the studio. What distinguishes him from other players is his consistency in delivering great solos and the lyrical phrasing of his playing; aspects that, in part, put him in the exclusive club of in demand musicians across the globe.
"Doors contains all the elements that make a jazz record a modern one: knowledge of the tradition, a desire to explore, fellowship, interplay, and a sacrosanct and agreeable desire to distance oneself from an all-Italian habit of clinging to an outdated and obsolete experimentalism. Italian saxophonist Michele Polga and members of his quartet testify to that in their playing. There are two kinds of musicians, those who talk and promote themselves, and those who play. These ones play." - Nicola Gaeta.

Michele Polga: tenor saxophone
Alessandro Lanzoni: piano
Gabriele Eangelista: double bass
Bernardo Guerra: drums

Recorded at Art Music Studio in Bassano del Grappa, Italy, May 18th, 2024.