Soho Sessions by Andrea Rinciari

ANREA RINCIARI - Soho Sessions

When Andrea Rinciari packed his guitar in his native Italy and left for London it wasn’t long before he found himself on a mission. Inspired by sheer quality the players he met in the capital’s melting pot of musicians, he immersed himself in the great tradition of classic 20th century jazz. Mentored and inspired by the great Barry Harris during the master’s frequent visits, Andrea’s passion for the music and tireless application soon elevated him to the front rank of that select coterie of London musicians keeping the bebop flame alive, with regular gigs at Ronnie Scott's, Boulevard Theatre Soho, Chelsea’s 606, and The Vortex. His acclaimed recordings ‘To Bud’ and ‘The Takeover’ paved the way to a residency at Soho’s Piano Bar with a regular quartet of internationally renowned players, developing their repertoire to a peak of empathetic fluency before taking it into the studio. Soho Session is the result - a set of beautifully realised compositions from the Golden Age of jazz.
The quality of the players involved underscores the quality of Andrea’s reputation. Alex Garnett on tenor saxophone has cemented a reputation as the key player on the London scene: drummer Mark Taylor returned to the capital after twenty-two years in New York backing everyone from Barney Kessel to Sonny Stitt to Kenny Barron: bassist Lorenzo Morabito is a familiar figure wherever top-flight jazz is being played. Together they blend beautifully into a super swinging, effortlessly creative quartet that keeps the tradition fresh, always digging deeper into the harmony to unleash fresh melodic ideas over an immaculate swing.

Each of the tunes has been carefully arranged by Andrea and Alex Garnett to reflect the influences of Andrea’s heroes, while always striving towards something new. “Alex has been a massive help and inspiration and has such a vast repertoire. I used to go to his Late Show at Ronnie’s and get roasted every time! Alex showed me how this music is the project of a lifetime - there’s always more to learn.” ‘Bean And The Boys’ features an Barry Harris arrangement suggested by Mark Taylor - “he’s just an encyclopaedia of jazz!” with a tricky introduction setting up a driving uptempo swing. ‘John’s Delight’ is a rare cut written by guitarist John Collins for Tadd Dameron, and ‘I Can’t Get Started’ has a reharmonisation inspired by Teddy Wilson that draws out a clear, limpid reading from Garnett. On “Tea For Two” the old chestnut is reinvigorated with a complex arrangement that combines a typically pianistic solo intro from Andrea with a host of his favourite influences. Next, the percussive melody of Bud Powell’s ‘John’s Abbey’ rides on a compellingly propulsive groove from the masterful rhythm section. ‘Time To Smile’ is another deep cut by pianist Freddie Redd, and Mark Taylor’s tasteful, typically assured intro sets up ‘Carvin The Rock’ written by Elmo Hope and Sonny Rollins while both were incarcerated in Riker’s Island - tenor sax and guitar exchange some masterfully creative improvisations over the tricky sequence. Finally, Andrea shows off his trademark solo style, full of complex contrapuntal lines, on a poised, wonderfully melodic reading of ‘Polka Dots And Moonbeams’.

This album is a quiet delight that repays continual listening, revealing new delights and subtleties each time. It’s the sound of four masters at work, exploring the music they know best, with a fresh twist and surprise at every turn.