Accordionist
Gianni Coscia sets the temperament for this delightful outing via his recollections of Italy's street market stalls (La Bancarella). A drummer-less quartet, the leader of this date interlaces jazzy lines along with trombonist
Dino Piana, vibraphonist
Andrea Dulbecco, and bassist
Enzo Pietropaoli's spirited interplay. With La Bancarella di Gianni Coscia, the band provides the listener with a quintet of multi-part, extended works. The musicians pursue daintily executed choruses intertwined with variable rhythmic sequences and upbeat exchanges, amid a Mediterranean vibe. In addition, they incorporate lushly exotic melodies into this grand mix, awash with cabaret-style interludes, breezy passages, and subtle deviations from previously applied strategies. Hence, a cleverly executed and thoroughly entertaining affair that offers a great deal of staying power, especially during subsequent spins.
Dulbecco's crisp mallet work is at times so soft it would seem difficult for him to break eggs. But much of this outing features deceptively dense frameworks, in concert with peppery swing vamps, pumping lines, and sentimentally inclined musings. This project represents yet another glimmering example of Italy's forward-thinking jazz artists, willing to parallel their dreams and passions through hybrid, jazz-based ventures. ~ Glenn Astarita