Artist: Giancarlo Mazzù & Luciano Troja
Title: Tasting Beauty
Cat Number: SLAMCD563
Year released: 2015
Format: CD & all digital platforms
Barcode: 5028386630722
BUY CD, DOWNLOAD & STREAMING OPTIONS
Following their selection of jazz standards on ‘Live at the Metropolitan, NYC’ (SLAMCD545), guitarist Giancarlo Mazzù and pianist Luciano Troja return with a selection of their original compositions on this their third album for SLAM.
The programme of ten originals represents a sort of travelogue on the musicians’ experiences playing together over ten years, during which time they have actually produced eight CDs in duo, trio and quartet formats; a dedication to places, people and impressions that have inspired Giancarlo Mazzù and Luciano Troja over the years.
The music shows a true love for the jazz tradition, the spontaneous compositions, the song form and the blues; track 4, “Qui” pays homage to their roots in Southern Italy.
Giancarlo Mazzù: guitar
Luciano Troja: piano
“This CD is an enchanting compilation of original compositions by a seasoned musical duo…This is truly contemplative and reflective music, played with warmth and style, that puts you, the listener, immediately at ease, wrapping yourself in luxurious, luminous tones.” – Roberta E. Zlokower, Roberta on the Arts
“The CD is well planned with a nice variety of textures and tempos to keep the listener interested. Some of the highlights for me are the rhythm of “Blues for Giuseppino” the Italian flavour of “Qui” and the nice quiet and clam of “Natural Wisdom”…these two work well together, they listen to each other and create wonderful interplay.” – Bernie Koenig, Cadence
“The title track is first and it is a lovely, laid back sort of ballad, with exquisite playing from both musicians. “Blues for Giuseppino” is a fine, bluesy song with tasty guitar and piano.” – Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
“Guitarist Giancarlo Mazzu’ joins together with pianist Luciano Troja for ten originals that exude romanticism and reflection. Quiet playfulness is felt on “Blues for Giuseppino” and subtle interplay goes back and forth on “Qui” and the gently swinging “Village Flowers”. Mazzu’s strings chime on “Natural Wisdom” and Troja’s piano is dreamy on “Quando Amavam L’America”. – George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Recorded on April 30th, 2013, at Wombat Recording Co. in Brooklyn (NY)
Recording engineer Ross Bonadonna
Mixing and mastering: Alessandro Luvarà, Spain Audio Studio, Molocchio (RC), Italy