PREMIERA: John Di Martino "Passion Flower"

Nad dorobkiem jednego z najważniejszych kompozytorów XX-wieku, a zarazem muzycznego partnera Duke'a Ellingtona i twórcy niezliczonej ilości standardów jazzowych Billy'ego Strayhorna (1915–1967), pochyla się pianista John Di Martino.
Pochodzący z Filadelfii a osiadły w Nowym Jorku i działający od 45 lat muzyk, znany jest z współpracy z takimi artystami jak m.in. Pat Martino, Houston Person, Bobby Sanabria, Jon Hendricks czy Freddy Cole.
Album zatytułowany "Passion Flower. The Music of Billy Strayhorn"nagrany został w gwiazdorskim kwartecie z saksofonistą tenorowymErikiem Alexandrem, basistą Borisem Kozlovem i perkusistą Lewisem Nashem.
Na płycie znajdziemy 14 spośród najważniejszych utworów Strayhorna, w tym najsłynniejszy jego temat napisany dla Orkiestry Duke'a Ellingtona: "Take The A Train". W programie albumu jest też wokalna perełka w postaci (najbardziej znanej dzięki wykonaniu Nat King Cole'a) piosenki "Lush Life", napisanej przez genialnego Strayhorna w wieku 15 lat. Słyszymy ją w wykonaniu topowego wokalisty znanego z płyt wytwórni Mack Avenue, Raula Midóna.

Album ukazał się 10 kwietnia.

Robert Ratajczak

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John Di Martino: Passion Flower. The Music of Billy Strayhorn

CD 2020, Sunnyside SSC 4114

program:

  1. Johnny Come Lately

  2. Lush Life

  3. Rain Check

  4. Star-Crossed Lovers (Pretty Girl)

  5. Isfahan (Elf)

  6. Chelsea Bridge

  7. Daydream

  8. Passion Flower

  9. U.M.M.G.

10. Blood Count

11. Take The A Train

12. A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing

13. Absinthe (Lament For An Orchid)

14. Lotus Blossom

personel:

John Di Martino - fortepian 

Eric Alexander - saksofon tenorowy 

Boris Kozlov - kontrabas

Lewis Nash - perkusja

oraz:

Raul Midón - wokal

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materiały prasowe:

John Di Martino and his All-Star Quartet

Perform 14 Of Billy Strayhorn’s

Most Beloved Compositions On

"Passion Flower. The Music Of Billy Staryhorn"

Billy Strayhorn (1915-67) is one of the great composers of the 20th century. An indispensable member of the Duke Ellington orchestra, collaborating with Ellington and contributing his own compositions and arrangements. Many of his compositions have become jazz standards.

Pianist John Di Martino and his all-star quartet with tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, bassist Boris Kozlov, and drummer Lewis Nash swing their way through 14 of Strayhorn’s most significant compositions. Di Martino and the fiery Alexander play inventive solos while Kozlov and Nash (who also have their solo spots) keep the momentum flowing with their stimulating support. Starting with “Johnny Come Lately”, the program includes “Lush Life” (with a captivating guest vocal by Raul Midón that makes one wonder how Strayhorn could have written this piece with its insightful lyrics at the age of 15), a joyfully cooking “Raincheck”, a beautiful bossa nova reading of “Star Crossed Lovers”, and a spirited performance of “Isfahan”, one of Strayhorn’s finest compositions. "Passion Flower" also includes fresh versions of the ballads “Chelsea Bridge” (a feature for Alexander), and “Passion Flower”, a haunting duo performance of “Blood Count” (Strayhorn’s last composition), plus renditions of “Daydream” in 3/4 time and the up-tempo “UMMG”, “Take The ‘A’ Train”, and the lesser-known “Absinthe” and thoughtful solo piano versions of “A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing” and “Lotus Blossom”. Di Martino and his musicians caress Strayhorn’s rich melodies while adding to the legacy of his compositions.

 John di Martino is an important jazz pianist with a 45-year career. Born in Philadelphia, he studied with Lennie Tristano and Don Sebesky and made his recording debut in 1990. Since then he has uplifted the music of many major jazz artists including Ray Barretto (he was a long-time member of Barretto’s New World Spirit), David “Fathead” Newman, Pat Martino, Houston Person, Bobby Sanabria, Jon Hendricks, Issac Delgado, Janis Siegel, Gloria Lynne, Freddy Cole, Grady Tate, Giacomo Gates, Nicki Parrott, Jay Clayton, Alexis Cole, and Chris McNulty. In addition, the always tasteful and swinging pianist has led over 15 recordings of his own. John is a composer, arranger and record producer based in New York City. Passion Flower is John Di Martino’s latest accomplishment, a memorable tribute to the brilliant composer Billy Strayhorn. 

 “John”s soul and being come straight through to his music, the jazz world needs him!” —Sheila Jordan (NEA Jazz Master)