Antonio Farao: Tributes

There is an old saying that you should judge a person by the company that they keep. If that is true of musicians, then Italian pianist Antonio Farao is highly regarded. For his sixth trio outing, he is joined by bassist John Patitucci, who achieved worldwide acclaim for his work with Chick Corea's Elektric Band and Akoustic Band. He has also appeared on albums with Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock and Michael Brecker. To complete the dream trio, Faraò adds drummer Jeff Ballard, another artist whose past and present associations with Pat Metheny, Brad Mehldau and Kurt Rosenwinkel start to look like a who's who of jazz.

Faraò has spent less time in the limelight but is a highly accomplished and inventive pianist. He has made several recordings as leader in a variety of formats, clocking up performances with Dave Liebman, Gary Bartz, Christian McBride and Manu Katche. Those previous experiences and recordings are important as background, as Tributes involves Faraò addressing the styles of some of his greatest piano influences, especially Michel Petrucciani, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock and McCoy Tyner. This is no mere copy or impersonation of the work of others; Faraò absorbs a style and uses that as a catalyst to drive his own melodic and on-the-spot invention.

For this session, Faraò provides Patitucci and Ballard with eight compositions and two covers as the basis for the trio to cut loose for over an hour with some marvellous improvisation. The album begins with the title track, with the trio immediately fluid in a melody reminiscent of Corea. Faraò's fleet improvisation and cohesive playing set the tone for much of what follows. Patitucci and Ballard make their interventions driving a terrific opener. Corea is also an influence on "Right One," with Faraò embellishing the light melody with some Corea-like cascading runs, along with endless invention from Ballard and another fine solo from Patitucci. The final nod to Corea is a cover of his composition, "Matrix." Ballard and Patitucci had both played this with Corea and Faraò acquits himself eloquently.

Faraò's version of Cole Porter's "I Love You" swings, inspired by an arrangement from Herbie Hancock. It also forms the basis for a long, flowing piano improvisation. Faraò channels his inner McCoy Tyner on "MT." Patitucci and Ballard expertly manoeuvre the track. "Memories of Calvi" is a Brazilian-flavoured delight. Faraò glides in top form, inspired by Michel Petrucciani. The ballad "Tender" may well be the standout track. A listener may find themselves initially drawn in by Faraò's warm and gentle touch and then swept along by Patitucci's bass solo before the pace builds gradually to a bluesy finish. At the time of writing, there is no YouTube available of this trio, but the clip of "Syrian Children," with bassist Ira Coleman and drummer Mike Baker accompanying Faraò, provides an example.

As one might expect, Patitucci and Ballard are tremendous throughout, using their extensive jazz vocabularies to stretch out and provide an ideal rhythmic environment for Faraò to explore. Faraò's playing takes his post-bop influences and extends into a range of textures and moods, with unpredictable progressions sitting alongside open and lucid expressions. His improvisations have conviction; they are quick, fluent and energised making this an enjoyable and entertaining trio session.

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