"UJW#22-THE JOURNAL OF ELIO TAFFI First day, “it didn't knock me out”
Here we go again, Umbria Jazz Winter returns to Orvieto. It seems to me a little early, almost too attached to the two days of Christmas holidays. And in fact, this year we will enjoy one more day of UJW, started twenty-four hours earlier than usual for a total duration of six days.
In reality, I am concerned by the breezy weather conditions at the end of the year which herald very low temperatures, at the limit of the most recent historical memory, and rather probable snowfalls at low altitudes.
Elio Taffi is sensitive to these disturbances, since not living on the cliff, returning home at night and with the road frozen is not an attractive prospect.
The weather, however, tries to make even the first day problematic. After a rather clear morning, clouds quickly arrive and then a capricious rain (also violent and pouring in the afternoon) which makes travel between the various festival locations difficult.
The first appointment, which cannot be renounced as always, is with the inaugural concert - free of charge - which the artistic direction sets up at the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo; indeed, in the past editions people went to the Sala dei Quattrocento, this year replaced by the Sala Expo which however proves to be inadequate to contain all the public who flock there.
The OVER SOUND TRIO open: Gabriele Fava (tenor sax) - Gianluca D'Alterio (electric bass) - Alessandro Aldrovandi (drums), absolute winner of the third edition (2014) of the prestigious competition organized by Conad and Umbria Jazz, aimed at young talents of Italian Jazz. The trio is certainly interesting, but I realize that the adjective "interesting" is the one often used to identify sensations that cannot be perceived clearly. Here, the music of the Over Sound Trio seems to have no clear objectives, it analyzes and mixes various formal elements, sometimes not particularly concomitant with each other. The instrumental assemble, on the other hand, is excellent, with scrupulous entrances and counterpoints. To remember Patricia, the last piece performed, a ballad that I would define as poignant (also a very abusive term) and intense, thanks to a well-chosen key, A minor, and an effective and pure original theme.
The chosen ones of the Berklee Summer School at Umbria Jazz Clinics take turns on the scene of the Sala Expo. For twenty-nine years, Umbria Jazz has been welcoming young and very young talents of Italian jazz to Perugia, and not only, to be "trained" under the guidance of the legendary Giovanni Tommaso and other great coaches. The name Berklee is a guarantee, as it is the best jazz training school in the world: personalities of the caliber of Pat Metheny, Joe Lovano, John Scofield, Gary Burton have passed there, just to name a few...
It's always nice (sorry, I can't get more original adjectives tonight) to attend the performance of young people enlivened by the truest musical passion; and it is the same for the septet composed by: Antongiulio Foti (piano), Lorenzo Simoni (sax), Benny Troschel (trumpet), Valeria Terruso (vocals), Simone Lanzi (double bass), Filippo Galli (drums) and Anais Drago (violin ). Cute, smiling and committed young people; a well-blended complex, with graceful and balanced sonorities. The German Benny was an excellent trumpet player, the harmonic carpet of the pianist Antongiulio was confident and well suited, who played his instrument with aristocratic class but which I greatly appreciated for this very reason. The violin, in this ensemble, was an interesting addition; well, I still use this (interesting) adjective since I'm not used to hearing the diaphanous sound of the violin in a jazz ensemble, and therefore my perplexity about it should be taken entirely as Elio Taffi's inexperience. Valeria's voice has highlighted an excellent technique: perfect intonation and valuable variety of timbres: perhaps with a little more "scratch" the artistic perspectives of Miss Terruso will be very brilliant; however, the performance of Moody's Mood for Love, James Moody's masterpiece, was thrilling. Ultimately, this year's youngsters have highlighted an appreciable common trait, made up of musical fair play and objective technical skills; however, a little more musical “naughtiness” wouldn't have hurt.
The rain, around 17:45, becomes more insistent and unfortunately the Funk Offs don't go out due to the adverse weather conditions. This is not good, Funk Off's first release is a sacred tradition; I try not to see any negative omens, but it's hard...
I drown the disappointment in an excellent cup of homemade ice cream from Orvieto and then off to the Palazzo dei Sette to attend a part of the Four Vegas show, my favorites, which I will talk about tomorrow.
Now, let's focus on the evening at the Mancinelli Theater (by the way, the Christmas tree that stands out in the foyer is wonderful!) which will feature
to great Chiara Civello. Known to the general public for a brilliant participation in the Sanremo Festival a few years ago (2012), Civello cut her teeth in New York singing in the most prestigious live music venues and collecting honorable judgments of Gentlemen of Music (Tony Bennett l ' called her "the best jazz singer of her generation" while Burt Bacharach declared "she has what it takes to become a superstar"). At the Orvieto concert, the Roman singer is accompanied by the Massa Carrara Symphony Orchestra (conductor Giacomo Loprieno) and the Nicola Conte Combo. Drawing on her fifth studio album, "Canzoni", Civello becomes a luxury interpreter of some splendid melodies of the national tradition and sends the audience into raptures. On the other hand, songs like Via con me by Paolo Conte, Io che non vivo senza te by Pino Donaggio, Io che amo solo te by Sergio Endrigo, are real low blows! The arrangements turn out to be of exquisite workmanship, some rhythmic choices, initially with an unusual flavor, are convincing in the continuation of the song. And she, Mrs. Civello, puts into it not only the voice, but the great mastery of the scene, the sensuality of the movements, a very elegant white dress... A top-level show, I must say. And yet... Elio Taffi is left with a corner of hunger in his stomach.
Something is missing.
Perhaps, perhaps, even the Civello does not sink, in some points, as it could or should have. Some boxers, faced with a weaker opponent, prefer to win on points, preserving their rival from an inclement finish; others, hit hard, because the knock-out impresses the crowd more and improves one's stats. Well, I believe that sometimes an artist is called upon to deliver the knock-out blow, or at least I expect it: a mangled sharp note, a marked accent, an unexpected pause. Things to remember and pass on to posterity. But maybe, I'm wrong...
That's all for the first day, it's 3:15 and I'm sleepy...
See you tomorrow, good night."
Click here to continue to read online (Italian version)
Elio Taffi, from CULTURA, UJW#22-THE JOURNAL OF ELIO TAFFI, “ORVIETO NEWS”
December 28, 2014
December 28, 2014
Please note that the present article is an automatic-machine translation from the corresponding Italian version. It is hoped, however, that the original sense, style and character have been preserved.