Jerry Bergonzi - Intersecting Lines - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Ghedini / Trio Brahms / Rojatti - Concerto Dell'albatro [COMPACT DISCS] date 01/01/1989

You encounter nothing but sheer musicality when it comes to the Boston saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi. But Bergonzi's no-nonsense approach to music cannot mask the fact that he is one of the most remarkable jazz saxophonists on the planet. Here Bergonzi is backed by his usual colleagues, Dave Santoro and Andrea Michelutti plus he is joined by pianist Bruce Barth. Featuring a program mostly of Bergonzi's quirky compositions the musicians work together with a uniformity of intent and vision that perfectly personifies the title, CONVERGENCE.

Boston doesn't get enough credit as a jazz town. From the days of the Storyville club and Cambridge-based Transition tag to the star factory that is Berklee College of Music, the city stands tall against more celebrated places like Chicago and Detroit. One big part of that high level of creative output is Jerry Bergonzi who, for this date, leads his most Bostonian band in recent memory, reuniting with trumpeter pal Phil Grenadier and drummer Luther Gray. Bassist Harvie S came up from New York for the gig and it was he who suggested guitarist Sheryl Bailey for the album. She completes the Boston connection with her position as the Assistant Chair of Berklee's legendary Guitar Department. InchTo work with Jerry and study and perform his music is the definition of a dream come true,Inch says Bailey who has played with artists ranging from Ken Peplowski to Shingo Okudaira. Here, Bergonzi has convened a fine band for a compelling album, another feather in Boston's tricorn hat.