Search - Salvatore Bonafede :: Journey to Donnafugata

Journey to Donnafugata
Salvatore Bonafede
Journey to Donnafugata
Genre: Jazz
 
  •  Track Listings (13) - Disc #1


     
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CD Details

All Artists: Salvatore Bonafede
Title: Journey to Donnafugata
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Cam Jazz
Release Date: 8/7/2007
Album Type: Live, Import
Genre: Jazz
Style: Bebop
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
 

CD Reviews

More magical Italian canzoni from CamJazz
Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 03/31/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Salvatore Bonafede's probably not a name even relatively informed jazz fans recognize, despite the fact that he has a handful of discs as leader and a baker's dozen as sideman available in the States. His comparative obscurity should change with this brilliant release on the fast-rising CamJazz label. Following up on a brace of fine releases by another Italian pianist of note, Enrico Pieranunzi, CamJazz has captured this underheard Sicilian keysman in a magical setting. Featuring some very heavy playing partners--Enrico Rava (trumpet, flugelhorn), John Abercrombie (electric guitar), Ben Street (bass), and Clarence Penn (drums) with guests Ralph Towner (classical guitar) and Michele Rabbia (percussion)--Bonafede has assembled a band of uncommon power and grace, as well as one that manages to showcase his unique talents perhaps better than any other has.



One of the things that makes this music so memorable is its rootedness in place, namely, the island of Sicily. Here's how the artist himself characterizes his intentions (from the liner notes): "To describe the Island of Sicily, to allow one to perceive its scents, its flavors, and its atmospheres through music. To unite the past with the present is possible through a sort of metahistorical dimension that pervades the Island . . . In an attempt, as it were, to marry the soundtrack of the film [The Leopard] with my musical language and to find inspiration, I decided to rent a studio next to Villa Boscogrande where parts of the film were shot. The resulting arrangement, based on observation, myth, and the historical background, doesn't, however, lose sight of the original themes, and the composition of both original pieces pays homage to the complexity and contradictory nature of an island for centuries the repository of diverse cultures, ways of life, and vision onto the world. The suspended, surrealistic tone and irregularity of the opening chords evoke the three corners of the island, and act as an introduction to the suite."



Once again, as in Pieranunzi's Fellini Jazz, Nino Rota, that incomparable Italian film composer, provides the compositions (except for two Verde snippets and three tunes from Bonafede), and once again, they are of the highest quality. Add the magic of the leader's deft arrangements, highly conversational and interactive playing by all on board, and some truly inspired soloing by Bonafede, and you have a recording of both weight and glory.



I have to admit, it took several listens for me to get completely on board with the vibe here, but once I did, I was entirely taken by this unique and wonderful disc. Not to be missed."