Jerry Bergonzi - The Seven Rays - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

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. Album Tracks 1. Lend Me a Dream 2. I've Got a Crush on You 3. Squid Ink 4. Stoffy 5. Silent Flying 6. Osiris 7. Mr. Higgins 8. Ddodd 9. Convergence 10. Seventh Ray

When I go into the studio with these guys, it's not like I feel pressure. It's like, oh boy, let's go have some fun, ays saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi, recalling how his previous Savant recordings came together. In short, the acclaimed veteran didn't want the fun to end. So now here we have another terrific recording to complement the reedman's impressive Savant discography and another chance to delight in the exceptionally responsive company he keeps. Revelling in the company of long-time partners bassist Dave Santoro and drummer Andrea Michelutti, Jerry also brings Pasadena-born pianist Bruce Barth into the studio. Jerry doesn't often record with a pianist â€Inch when one cuts their musical teeth with a pianist like Dave Brubeck the titan's shadow must loom large over the keyboard but he and Bruce have become muy simpatico over the years and their interplay here is remarkable indeed. With Jerry's imaginative compositions and his intense approach to music-making, this is jazz that cuts you no quarter. The whole session swings, communicates and challenges as only Jerry Bergonzi can. Album Tracks 1. Awake 2. An Internal Affair 3. Rise Up 4. A Hankering 5. Tidlig 6. Rigamaroll 7. Do It to Do It 8. Lunar Aspects

There's an old saying that a great jazz musician never plays a song the same way once. That could certainly be said of Jerry Bergonzi. He is an intellectual artist of uncompromising integrity and a bold, original composer. On Jerry's new Savant recording he returns to the organ-tenor trio after a long hiatus from it. From the opening track, Cy Coleman's InchWitchcraftInch with it's hypnotic organ vamp and InchbewitchingInch chord substitutions Jerry gives to the first 8 bars, you know this isn't going to be your parents' organ-tenor gig. Bergonzi and his discmates, Renato Chicco on organ and Andrea Michelutti on drums, take these standards down new harmonic paths and use them as a launching pad for fertile and impressive improvisation. The playing is always intense and distinctive, fresh and spontaneous. Album Tracks 1. Witchcraft 2. Bi-Solar 3. Blue Cube 4. First Lady 5. Gabriella 6. Dancing in the Dark 7. Out of Nowhere 8. Come Rain of Come Shine 9. Stella By Starlight