Gianni Bianchini - Type 1 (2017)

Pianist and vocalist Gianni Bianchini titles the album for his first release and childhood disease with a collection of upbeat and charming read of standards. He’s got a warm tenor voice, hinting at Barry Manilow, tender on “ I Could Have Told You So” and self assured on “Look At Me Now.” A duet with Karen Tennison is cozy on “I Wish I Knew” as well. In the form of a instrumental band with Jason Marsalis/perc, Brandon Guerra/dr and Richard Mikel/b the band gels with assertiveness on “My Heart Stood Still” and a Red Garland-deep groove is palpable on “Softly As In A Morning Sunrise” and swaggers on “A Foggy Day. Mikel tips his Scot LaFaro hat on “Periscope” and bows richly on “ Two For The Road” and Guerra delivers a sprinter’s pulse on the confident “My Heart Stood Still.” Rich and rewarding.~ By George W. Harris