MUSIC REVIEW BY Ferdinand Dupuis-Panther, Jazz'halo (Belgium)
Short introduction to the album, thanks to the label: "Stripping the music to its essentials, saxophonist Todd DelGiudice explores the remarkable freedom and intimacy of the saxophone trio on this program of compelling originals and modern jazz standards. The title, Mas Alto, carries a playful double meaning, "higher" in Spanish, reflecting DelGiudice's continual pursuit of artistic growth, and "more alto", a fitting celebration of the instrument's lyrical power in a format more often by tenor saxophonists. With longtime musical partner Jon Hamar on bass, in two trios with the masterful drummers Obed Calvaire and Jim White, DelGiudice draws on the enduring legacy of Sonny Rollins, Lee Konitz, and Joe Lovano while speaking with a voice that is his own."
Yes, Lennie Tristano, Steve Swallow and Jimmy van Heusen are represented with compositions on the album, otherwise we hear the compositional signature of Todd DelGiudice and his alto saxophone, among others on "Mas Alto" and "Momentos". No, we didn't listen to the originals like "Falling Grace" again, but let the arrangements of Todd DelGiudice work their magic on us alone.
A lively saxophone solo reaches our ears when the opening title, a composition by Lennie Tristano, can be heard. Without question, Todd DelGiudice celebrates the melody along with phrasing of "Ablution" on the alto saxophone. Jon Hamar also makes himself felt emphatically on bass. He gives the impression that he is following the fast steps of someone hurrying away in his bass runs. It continues with a composition by bassist Jon Hamar called "P.O.I." In terms of style and character, the piece is similar to the opening title. In a kind of duet we experience the saxophonist and the bassist. However, the saxophonist is powerful, intoning the high notes and presenting all kinds of clay capades. On the other hand, the bass player can be experienced in the rather dark sound colors. However, he is not staffage like in other bands! Listen to Jon Hamar's long solo. It does not remain in the low registers of its woofer, but refines its playing with higher pitches. What he plays appears figuratively, like climbing a ladder, one step up and three down, four up and two down, and so on.
Bass guitarist Steve Swallow, companion of Paul and Carla Bley as well as Art Farmer, among others, created "Falling Grace". Drummer Jim White can be heard in the opening, before bass and alto saxophone can be heard in soft voices. In view of the blower, one could think of a foehn wind that is musically captured. In any case, the musicians are concerned with the beauty of the melody, which here and there has moments of a love song.
"Horses for Courses" is one of Todd DelGiudice's compositions on the album, along with "Around Now", but the musicians also bow to Jimmy Van Heusen when they perform "Darn That Dream". This piece from 1939 is one of the jazz standards that belong to the repertoire of jazz musicians. "Darn That Dream" is designed as a ballad with 32 bars and has the song form 'AA'BA'. Very solemn and as a "musical gouache", the musicians have interpreted the standard on the album, leading the way as in other pieces the alto saxophonist. This is soft-focus and not ostentatious, as is often the case for saxophonists. You could call the saxophone playing buzzing. And the bass player sets his heavy "bass steps". In this piece, too, a bass solo worth listening to is woven in.
"Mas Alto" was penned by Todd DelGiudice. Fresh is what we hear. The saxophone playing is awake, which also indulges in swings and loops, as it were. One might think that the composer wrote the piece as an accompaniment for a high-wire artist who does not shy away from jumping at height.
With the arrangement of "Small Feats" written by Ron Miller, Todd DelGiudice joins a series of musicians who have released an arrangement of "Small Feats" such as Joe Lovano, Kenny Werner, Hal Galper, Barry Ries and Kenny Barron. Finally, it's called "Stratigraphy". It is a composition by Todd DelGiudice, who also maintains the balance in this piece, i.e. gives the bassist as much room to develop as himself.
Translated from German
Yes, Lennie Tristano, Steve Swallow and Jimmy van Heusen are represented with compositions on the album, otherwise we hear the compositional signature of Todd DelGiudice and his alto saxophone, among others on "Mas Alto" and "Momentos". No, we didn't listen to the originals like "Falling Grace" again, but let the arrangements of Todd DelGiudice work their magic on us alone.
A lively saxophone solo reaches our ears when the opening title, a composition by Lennie Tristano, can be heard. Without question, Todd DelGiudice celebrates the melody along with phrasing of "Ablution" on the alto saxophone. Jon Hamar also makes himself felt emphatically on bass. He gives the impression that he is following the fast steps of someone hurrying away in his bass runs. It continues with a composition by bassist Jon Hamar called "P.O.I." In terms of style and character, the piece is similar to the opening title. In a kind of duet we experience the saxophonist and the bassist. However, the saxophonist is powerful, intoning the high notes and presenting all kinds of clay capades. On the other hand, the bass player can be experienced in the rather dark sound colors. However, he is not staffage like in other bands! Listen to Jon Hamar's long solo. It does not remain in the low registers of its woofer, but refines its playing with higher pitches. What he plays appears figuratively, like climbing a ladder, one step up and three down, four up and two down, and so on.
Bass guitarist Steve Swallow, companion of Paul and Carla Bley as well as Art Farmer, among others, created "Falling Grace". Drummer Jim White can be heard in the opening, before bass and alto saxophone can be heard in soft voices. In view of the blower, one could think of a foehn wind that is musically captured. In any case, the musicians are concerned with the beauty of the melody, which here and there has moments of a love song.
"Horses for Courses" is one of Todd DelGiudice's compositions on the album, along with "Around Now", but the musicians also bow to Jimmy Van Heusen when they perform "Darn That Dream". This piece from 1939 is one of the jazz standards that belong to the repertoire of jazz musicians. "Darn That Dream" is designed as a ballad with 32 bars and has the song form 'AA'BA'. Very solemn and as a "musical gouache", the musicians have interpreted the standard on the album, leading the way as in other pieces the alto saxophonist. This is soft-focus and not ostentatious, as is often the case for saxophonists. You could call the saxophone playing buzzing. And the bass player sets his heavy "bass steps". In this piece, too, a bass solo worth listening to is woven in.
"Mas Alto" was penned by Todd DelGiudice. Fresh is what we hear. The saxophone playing is awake, which also indulges in swings and loops, as it were. One might think that the composer wrote the piece as an accompaniment for a high-wire artist who does not shy away from jumping at height.
With the arrangement of "Small Feats" written by Ron Miller, Todd DelGiudice joins a series of musicians who have released an arrangement of "Small Feats" such as Joe Lovano, Kenny Werner, Hal Galper, Barry Ries and Kenny Barron. Finally, it's called "Stratigraphy". It is a composition by Todd DelGiudice, who also maintains the balance in this piece, i.e. gives the bassist as much room to develop as himself.
Translated from German
Soundclips
Other Reviews of
"Mas Alto":
Modern Drummer by Editor
Making A Scene by Dee Dee McNeil
Jazz Weekly by George W Harris
Paris Move by Thierry De Clemensat