Featured Artist: Peter Primamore

CD Title: Grancia

Year: 2007

Record Label: Self-Produced

Style: Contemporary Jazz

Musicians:

Peter Primamore (piano, Fender Rhodes electric piano), Tony Levin (bass), Jerry Marotta (drums) Chieli Minucci (acoustic and electric guitar), Antoine Silverman (violin), Shane Shanahan (percussion), Charles Pillow (oboe, English horn, clarinet, flute), Tim Moran (alto flute, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet), David Eggar (cello), Lorenza Ponse (violin), Jonathan Dinklage (viola, violin), Carol Emanuel (harp), Larry Chernicoff (vibraphone, glockenspiel, percussion)

Review:

Even if you’ve never heard of composer/pianist Peter Primamore, there’s a good chance you’ve heard his award winning film and television scores. Having built an extensive resume as a commercial composer, Primamore has produced Grancia, an ambitious and highly personal collection of original music, mixing the intimacy of a chamber ensemble with a high energy jazz-fusion rhythm section.

The strength of the disc lies in the unpredictable twists and turns of each piece while maintaining an accessible, soothing quality. There are moments throughout the disc when the music is dominated by a propelling groove (“Silver Stones,” “Mill Walk”) with inspired solos, and others where the pieces are meditative and entirely pre-conceived (“Crossing Over,” “I’m Sorry”). Primamore writes lush, at times haunting melodies with vibrant orchestrations. “The Book of Erin Flowers” and “Russia Through Your Eyes” both stand out as well-developed musical statements.

Primamore is in good company on this session. His core group consists of guitarist extraordinaire Chieli Minucci (Special EFX), legendary bassist Tony Levin (John Lennon, King Crimson) and dynamic drummer Jerry Marotta (Peter Gabriel, Hall & Oates). The inspired textural aesthetic of the music is supported by a superb ensemble of woodwinds, strings and percussion.

Primamore’s musical passion is evident throughout every moment of Grancia. These lyrical compositions evoke visions of splendor and optimism; for a few refreshing moments, uncertainty and chaos is relinquished.

Tracks:

Silver Stones, Chatham; Crossing Over, Mill Walk, Broken Promise, The Book Of Erin Flowers, Free Western, Windswept, Winter in Paris, I'm Sorry, Russia Through Your Eyes, Lullaby/Elegy

Artist's Website: http://www.peterprimamore.com

Listen or Buy: Purchase from CD Baby

Reviewed by: John Vincent

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