Jazz / Post-Bop, Hard Bop
Enrico Pieranunzi - Piano
Chris Weeda Mastering, Engineer
Colette Pannemans Production Coordination
Eric Vloeimans Trumpet
Hein Van De Geyn Bass, Mastering, Producer
Joe La Barbera Drums
Joost Leijen Photography
Philip Catherine Guitar
Scott Yanow Liner Notes
European jazz musicians don't always get the recognition they deserve worldwide. Italian pianist Enrico Pieranunzi has already proved himself on several earlier dates for Challenge and as a leader of the Space Jazz Trio, recording with such saxophone greats as Phil Woods and Lee Konitz. But this mostly quartet date with the Belgian guitarist Philip Catherine, the Dutch bassist Hein Van De Geyn, and a token American, drummer Joe LaBarbera, focuses exclusively on a dozen time-tested standards from the Great American Songbook. Pieranunzi is a talented soloist, but seems just as happy sharing the solo space. Catherine is the primary focus of the sizzling opener, "Speak Low," and his mellow guitar is also prominent in the somewhat brisker than normal and slightly latin-flavored take of "My Foolish Heart." Trumpeter Eric Vloeimans is added on three numbers, including a somewhat spacey "What Is This Thing Called Love?," a tantalizing "Alone Together," which features somewhat sparse accompaniment at times, and a foot-tapping samba version of "You Don't Know What Love Is." This very enjoyable session is easily recommended to fans of post-bop. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
Enrico Pieranunzi
Active Decades: '70s, '80s, '90s and '00s
Born: 1949
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Hard Bop, Post-Bop
A superior post bop pianist influenced by Bill Evans and McCoy Tyner but long possessing his own sound, Enrico Pieranunzi is one of the top jazz pianists living in Italy. He began studying piano when he was five, partly from his father who was a jazz-loving guitarist. Pieranunzi became a professional when he was 19, playing with trombonist Marcello Rosa's quartet. Since then, in addition to leading his own groups, Pieranunzi has worked with many top players (both Europeans and Americans) including Franco Ambrosetti, Chet Baker, Benny Bailey, Art Farmer, Curtis Fuller, Johnny Griffin, Charlie Haden, Jim Hall, Lee Konitz, Sal Nistico, Enrico Rava, Tony Scott, Kai Winding and Phil Woods. Enrico Pieranunzi, who teaches at a conservatory, has done studio work and sometimes works as a chamber music soloist. He has recorded several impressive jazz sets as a leader for Enja, Timeless and especially Soul Note.
---Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
