John Di Martino’s Romantic Jazz Trio – Music Of The Night (2006) [Japan 2016] [SACD / Venus Records – VHGD-171]

Title: John Di Martino’s Romantic Jazz Trio – Music Of The Night (2006) [Japan 2016]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

The Romantic Jazz Trio, consisting of pianist John Di Martino, bassist Boris Kozlov, and drummer Tim Horner, continue the tradition of covering songs from Broadway musicals, though most of their selections for this album come from musicals written during the 1970s and later – including “Chicago”, “Les Miserables”, “Beauty and the Beast”, “Cats”, and the modern standard ‘Send in the Clowns’ from Stephen Sondheim’s “A Little Night Music”.

Of the 70 published Monk compositions, two dozen or so are performed more often than the rest. With that thought in mind, it is more difficult for a pianist to break new ground on a record date, though Di Martino has a few twists in store. Monk’s “Epistrophy” alternates between an intense staccato attack and a straight-ahead bop groove. “‘Round Midnight” is easily Monk’s best-known work; Di Martino doesn’t overly attempt to stretch the boundaries of its theme, but improvises thoughtfully while maintaining the essence of its haunting melody. The fun romp through “Well, You Needn’t” contrasts with the relaxed setting of “Eronel.” Di Martino’s lyrical title track is a tribute to Monk and (presumably) Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami, an enjoyable piece that doesn’t attempt to mimic Monk’s writing style.

hraudio | discogs

Tracklist:

01. All That Jazz
02. I Dreamed A Dream
03. Music Of The Night
04. Memory
05. When You’re Good To Mama
06. All Ask Of You
07. Mein Herr
08. Maybe This Time
09. On My Own
10. The Beauty And Beast
11. Tomorrow Belongs To Me
12. Send In The Clowns
13. If You Could See Her

Personnel:

John Di Martino – piano
Boris Kozlov – bass
Tim Horner – drums

Note:

Produced, Mixed & Mastered by Tetsuo Hara. Engineered by Katherine Miller.
Recorded on September 25-26, 2005 at The Studio in New York.
Venus Hyper Magnum Sound Direct Mix. VENUS Japan # VHGD-171.

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