Featured Artist: Gianni Alberti Quartet

CD Title: When You're Smiling

Year: 2007

Record Label: TRJ Records

Style: Straight-Ahead / Classic

Review: Italian saxophonist and clarinetist, Gianni Alberti, is joined on this record of classic standards and covers by Lino Francheschetti on piano, Mauro Sereno on bass, and Sergio Mazzei on drums.

The disc opens with the Todd Dameron tune “On a Misty Night.” This track features some good piano and drum solos backing Alberti’s airy, breezy, swinging sound. Next, is Ellington’s “Satin Doll,” with some more outstanding piano and strong bass by Sereno. Track 3 is “Have You Met Miss Jones” by Richard Rogers. Alberti’s playing is strong here as he weaves in and out with Francheschetti on piano.

One of the highlights of this disc is track 5, “When You’re Smiling,” where Alberti really shines and is accompanied by some scorching drum solos by Mazzei. My favorite on this recording is track 10, a perennial favorite, “Take 5.” Alberti and Mazzei take this piece and give it the push it needs to excel. The closer, “East of the Sun and West of the Moon” is bright and cheerful with nice drum and piano work, also.

All of the musicians here share the spotlight and are given ample opportunity and space to explore and add their own unique character to this recording producing a very pleasant and enjoyable offering from Alberti and band.

Record Label Website: http://www.trjrecords.it

Reviewed by: Veronica Timpanelli

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