Amazing but true moments in professional sports: a PGA tour player, when interviewed, makes reference to his focus on "becoming a better player." This, of course, occurs shortly after a display of skills the likes of which weekend golfers have no hope of attaining. I've heard similar assertions made by high caliber musicians — that every once in a while they have a night that meets their expectations. Right...and that crazy exercise in chord change sculpting you normally put on is just tripe?
Look, I do understand these sentiments. After all, golf is a game that's as much mental and physical so there are many ways to improve. The same can be said for music-making. It's just that the goals set by the career musician are so far above the 'normal' person's realm that it's tough to empathize or to hear the "progress" that's being made.
The opening track of Joey Calderazzo's Amanecer has, for once, given the listener some insight into where the pianist is headed. "Midnight Voyager," which first appeared on Michael Brecker's Tales From The Hudson, is a complete reworking of the original. By "complete" I mean that I did not recognize the tune until nearing the end. Repeat listens revealed that Calderazzo has both deconstructed and expanded the piece. Quite amazing.
Amanecer finds Calderazzo stepping away from his Branford Marsalis sideman role to explore the possibilities of the piano as a solo instrument as well as harmonic collaborator in duo (with vocalist Claudia Acuna and guitarist Romano Lubambo) and trio (Acuna and Lubambo) formats. While the solo work allows for extended examination of harmonic ideas, the group situations let Calderazzo focus on songs: "Playing with Claudia and Romano really underscores my love of songs, and reminds me that The Beatles, who I grew up listening to, have has as much if not more of an impact on my music than John Coltrane."
Article comments
1 - Pico
"Scandulously overlooked" are words that come to mind when I come across Joey Calderazzo's playing. The stuff he did on Brecker's records are what you'd expect from a top drawer player like McCoy Tyner (who Joey sounds a lot like IMO).
2 - Connie Phillips
Congrats! This article has been forwarded to the Advance.net websites and Boston.com.
3 - toni basanta
My name is Toni Basanta I'm a DJ at WRUV 90.1 FM Burlington the station at the University of Vermont
Joey Calderazzo is visiting our city this JUNE during the Jazz Fest with The Brandford Marsalis Quartet
I'd like to deepen in his music and I'm very interested in receiving his CD "Amanecer" and any other
I discovered the voice of Claudia Acuna in the beautiful and romantic album track title it really explores many possibilities of the pianist and his talent once more
Very glad to visit your website
Toni Basanta