Gianluca Petrella, the Italian trombonist, has made a startling record label debut with
Indigo4. It is an eccentric yet compelling blend of traditional jazz, electronica, and avant-garde compositions.
Petrella's version of
Thelonious Monk's "Trinkle, Tinkle" opens the set. The track is built upon the quartet's real-time performance of the
Monk standard, taken at its typical medium tempo with trombone and tenor saxophone stating the theme.
Petrella adds electronica using computerized samples of
Monk's own recordings to make this one of the more innovative tracks on the program. "The Middleman" is the first of seven
Petrella originals and it pulses with a trip-hop style of energy. He uses live effects with skill and aplomb on this tune. "Lazy Moon" features
Petrella's muted trombone, while two
Duke Ellington standards, "I Got It Bad" and "Mood Indigo," feature a laid-back bass intro by
Paolino Dalla Porta and a buoyant atonal remix of riffs from
Francesco Bearzatti's clarinet and tenor saxophone, respectively. "Two in a Hole" is funky, and "There Comes a Time" is a poignant reminder of
Tony Williams' compositional integrity.
Gianluca Petrella's presence on the international jazz scene should improve as a result of
Indigo4 because of his unconventional approach to the trombone as a lead instrument and because it is a serious study of the avant-garde style of jazz.