Having paid his dues for xx years, guitarist Jimmy Bruno has returned to his roots of straight-ahead jazz inward his hometown of Philadelphia.
After an auspicious debut on the album Sleight of Hand inward 1992, Bruno continues to press frontward to the please of fans who are discovering for the laid out fourth dimension his intricate technique together with melodic aptitude. On Like That, Bruno's regular trio teams upwards amongst Joey DeFrancesco to create a guitar/organ collaboration that brings out the best inward both of them.
After learning guitar from his father, Jimmy Bruno, Sr. (who had a hitting inward 1959 amongst the "Guitar Boogie Shuffle" together with who used to dorsum upwards Nat King Cole), Bruno, Jr. struck out on his ain at the historic catamenia of nineteen when he joined the Buddy Rich band. After solely a yr of touring, he moved to Las Vegas, solely to respect his jazz ambitions frustrated yesteryear the repetition of casino bands. He set downward roots inward Las Vegas, but his restlessness got the best of him, forcing him to deed to Los Angeles for function on television receiver together with celluloid audio tracks. As he neared the historic catamenia of 40, Bruno chucked it all together with moved dorsum to Philadelphia to start fresh inward a jazz career.
He couldn't select made a ameliorate move. Not solely does he select 4 albums nether his belt, but too he's a professor at Philadelphia's University of the Arts, every bit is bassist Craig Thomas, together with Bruno performs regularly at Chris' Cafe.
Along amongst the usual guitarists, Bruno lists his influences every bit John Coltrane, Oscar Peterson, Charlie Parker together with Art Tatum—which makes feel when y'all realize that Bruno thinks inward musical concepts instead of licks.
Most of the original compositions on the album—six yesteryear Bruno together with i yesteryear Thomas—are constructed from fairly elementary chord changes together with a logical concept. But the things he together with DeFrancesco practice amongst them!
DeFrancesco proves his adaptability every bit he responds to Bruno's explorations, together with the "chatter" they prepare at the culmination of Pat's House, a tribute to Pat Martino, is head-spinning together with awe-inspiring.
Then for contrast, there's Waltz for Nancy, whose beautiful simplicity Bruno plumbs amongst unpretentious variations together with effortless cascading of sixteen-note together with and then triplet lines that look to evolve naturally from the theme.
While the tunes involving DeFrancesco's B-3 function are the most satisfying, he plays muted trumpet on There Is No Greater Love together with Stars Fell on Alabama for subtle effect.
While Les Paul isn't listed every bit i of Bruno's influences, the Les Paul audio seems to live referenced inward the championship release called Like That, together with indeed, Pat Martino mentions that Paul predicted he would write liner notes for Bruno someday. The usual admiration betwixt Bruno together with Martino seems evident. Bruno records Pat's House, named after, of course, Pat Marino's house. And then, Martino remarks, "Jimmy's i of the most astounding players I've had the pleasance of knowing."
This album was a regain for me, together with it's gratifying to larn nigh a novel jazz guitarist next a tradition of melodic revelation, compositional talent, together with technical excellence.
Guitar master, Jimmy Bruno, is exceptional hither together with demonstrates non solely how to polish without sounding forced or over the overstep but how to heighten the gifts of incredible playing partners.
From your stereo speakers when y'all bespeak heed to this extrordinary disc! Grooves together with swings from start to complete amongst basis shape musicianship from Bruno, featured invitee Joey DeFrancesco together with the beat section. Bassist Craig Thomas composition on the disc's opener "EV" is a neat swinging starter, every bit are other disc highlights; "Pat's House", "Unit Seven", the elusive chords of "The Iguana's Uncle", together with Jimmy's vii string chord tune intro to "Waltz For Nancy". We fifty-fifty acquire a Miles muted trumpet outing from Joey D. on "There Is No Greater Love".
This disc is a neat collaboration betwixt these 2 artists together with recommend it ALL jazz lovers!
I bought this album when it laid out came out together with shelved it for a while. Now I'm giving it a minute bespeak heed together with I dear it! It's the best Jimmy Bruno album, showing a to a greater extent than serious together with eclectic side of his playing. I solely want his keyboardist DeFrancesco played a few less notes.
If you're individual who loves a traditional jazz guitar, y'all volition non live disappointed. Bruno has the best chops inward the the business.
I exactly late got this album, together with all I tin tell is that to me this is Bruno at his best. Having the neat Joey DeFrancesco every bit his melodic foil pushes him to play at the zenith of his abilities. There merely is non a weak rails on this CD. I peculiarly enjoyed the relatively relaxed experience of "Unit 7". And for sheer excitement, "Pat's House" is a blast. This rails reminds me of the McLaughlin/Coryell/Vitous collaboration "Spaces". However every bit neat every bit John together with Larry are, Bruno is exactly inward some other league.
They tell that Jimmy Bruno is the greatest unknown modern jazz guitar player. This CD proves it. As a bonus, Joey DeFrancesco plays some neat B3 along amongst the tight groove of drummer Steve Holloway together with Bassist Craig Thomas. This CD provides high octane difficult bop throughout, but "Unit Seven" lonely is worth the price...WOW, I gotta run into this guy live.
Track listing:
01. E.V. 4:39
02. Raezer's Edge 5:03
03. Waltz For Nancy 5:41
04. There Is No Greater Love 6:12
05. The Iguana's Uncle 4:24
06. Pat's House 5:23
07. Night Dreamer 6:15
08. The Way You Look Tonight 5:24
09. Like That 4:48
10. Stars Fell On Alabama 3:26
11. Unit Seven 8:08
Personnel:
Jimmy Bruno, guitar;
Joey DeFrancesco, organ, trumpet*;
Steve Holloway, drums;
Craig Thomas, acoustic together with electrical bass
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