Augusto Pirodda

An uncommon – but probably not as unique as he imagines – project from Brussel-based Italian pianist Augusto Pirodda weaves vocal contributions from Lynn Cassiers into his three movement, 10 tune Concerto for Jazz Septet. Although dealing with the now Brussels-based pianist’s thoughts about an individual maturity and freedom the English words are often indistinct or modified by the singer’s use of electronics.

Nonetheless enough instrumental firepower is available to express Pirodda’s messages even if the words are indistinct. During all three of the concerto’s interconnected movements, rather than accompany the phrases, the players actually comment on them in varied tempos, techniques and tessitura. Septet members are inventive and experienced as well, consisting of trumpeter/flugelhornist Laurent Blondiau, saxophonist/flutist Ben Sluijs saxophonist/clarinetist Sam Comerford, bassist Manolo Cabras and drummer Marek Patrman

What that means is that, for instance, on the cojoined “Moving” and “Long Time No Sea” the eventual expression of dark and despondent lyrics, harmonized with piano comping have already been suggested by low-pitch double bass pumps, pedal-point piano pressure and most overtly double-tongued and fragmented reed vibrations. Whether Cassiers articulates lyrics or semi-scats, responses from or counterpoint with the horns evolves with similar motifs. Much of Self Sabotage Suite’s essence can bypass the hissing electronics which disrupt the themes of despair and regeneration though. Instead this transformation is described by a triple meld of trumpet squeals, horizontal clarinet trills and nerve beats from the drummer. Blondiau and Comerford’s responses on “Back to Square One” illustrate this. Melding rugged, stop-time tenor saxophone riffs with tongue-sucking plunger tones on top of sul tasto bass swipes personify shifting moods more than the fragmented bel canto singing.

While the final phrases heard on the disc are Cassiers intoning Pirodda’s philosophical musings at the conclusion of the Third Movement, fragile clarinet vibrations, muted trumpet whinnies and linear keyboard clangs provide the needed build up to the simple sound termination. Realizing his need to express his inner views of life, Pirodda has perhaps inadvertently reconfirmed the power of music over words.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: First Movement: 1. The Monkey and The Monk 2. Ola 3. Moving 4. Long Time No Sea Second Movement – Self Sabotage Suite: 5. Self Sabotage 6. The Irrelevance of Wanting; 7. Back to Square One Third Movement 8. Sneeuwvlokje 9. Brocken Circle 10. Gus

Personnel: Laurent Blondiau (trumpet, flugelhorn); Ben Sluijs (alto saxophone, alto flute); Sam Comerford (tenor, bass saxophones and clarinet); Augusto Pirodda (piano); Manolo Cabras (bass); Marek Patrman (drums) and Lynn Cassiers (voice and electronics)