Paolo Fresu
At the beginning of the '80s, trumpeter Paolo Fresu attended the
Siena Summer Jazz Seminars and amazed Enrico Rava with his
creativity, talent, and technique. Over the next ten years, he
became a major player on the Italian scene, first with his own
quintet (which is still going), then branching out in a variety of
projects. After finishing his Conservatory studies, he became a
teacher at the same Jazz Seminars in Siena; he lives half the year
in Paris, from where he coordinates the major Time in Jazz Festival
he created in his hometown. His discography numbers an astonishing
130 titles since he's been invited to play all over Europe in a
variety of projects, from contemporary music to straight jazz, from
dance to jazz/folk fusions. His style is based on the classic Miles
Davis sound of the '50s, and the very lineup of his quintet is
reminiscent of Davis' group, with excellent tenor Tino Tracanna.
They mostly play originals and the music flows fresh and engaging,
never a mere imitation. Live in Montpellier (1990) and Ossi di
Seppia featuring Gianluigi Trovesi, both on Splasc(h), are good
representations of the different facets of the group; Shades of
Chet is an affectionate tribute with Rava on Label Bleu (2001)
featuring new piano talent Stefano Bollani. Sonos 'E Memoria (ACT
2001) and Metamorfosi (BMG 1999) are respectively inspired by
Sardinian musical heritage and European classical Richard Strauss,
their success being proof of his commitment to an open musical
aesthetic. In addition to Fresu's quintet, he played in an unusual
duo with bassist Furio di Castri, this became the PAF trio with the
addition of Antonello Salis on piano and accordion, and another
trio with English pianist John Taylor (Contos, Egea 1995), while
his European quartet includes French-Vietnamese guitar player
Nguyên Lê (Tales From Viêtnam, ACT, 1995). ~ Francesco Martinelli Similar artists
Albums
30
albums sorted by Most acclaimed
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Jazz - Released March 20, 2015 | Deutsche Grammophon ECM
Hi-Res
Booklet
Distinctions
Indispensable JAZZ NEWS
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Jazz - Released March 20, 2015 | Deutsche Grammophon ECM
Distinctions
Indispensable JAZZ NEWS
Jazz - Released February 16, 2018 | Tuk Music
Booklet
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Paolo Fresu is quite right to keep turning out new projects: the beauty of his playing is undiminished. It has withstood the pressures of this constant rhythm of work, and enriches the range of albums and concerts which the Sardinian trumpet player has taken part in. In 2013, Fresu published the astounding Desertico, which mixed his jazz with world, rock and electro flavours. A flood of music. Because Paolo Fresu is a flood Of energy. Of sound textures. Of records. Of meetings, as was demonstrated by this work from the Devil Quartet, performed in 2004 and made up of Bebo Ferra, double-bassist Paolino Dalla Porta and drummer Stefano Bagnoli. The complicity between the four friends shines through at every moment of Carpe Diem. Five years after Desertico, it seems that this time the Devil has himself fallen victim to an immense temptation: of putting down the tools of evil and finally enjoying life... Decidedly more acoustic, this well-named Carpe Diem shows off a profound serenity. In the contours of its compositions. In the cheery spirits of its four musicians. And in the silky (but not featureless) sound that they distil across the 56 minutes of this very fine album. © MD/Qobuz
Paolo Fresu is quite right to keep turning out new projects: the beauty of his playing is undiminished. It has withstood the pressures of this constant rhythm of work, and enriches the range of albums and concerts which the Sardinian trumpet player has taken part in. In 2013, Fresu published the astounding Desertico, which mixed his jazz with world, rock and electro flavours. A flood of music. Because Paolo Fresu is a flood Of energy. Of sound textures. Of records. Of meetings, as was demonstrated by this work from the Devil Quartet, performed in 2004 and made up of Bebo Ferra, double-bassist Paolino Dalla Porta and drummer Stefano Bagnoli. The complicity between the four friends shines through at every moment of Carpe Diem. Five years after Desertico, it seems that this time the Devil has himself fallen victim to an immense temptation: of putting down the tools of evil and finally enjoying life... Decidedly more acoustic, this well-named Carpe Diem shows off a profound serenity. In the contours of its compositions. In the cheery spirits of its four musicians. And in the silky (but not featureless) sound that they distil across the 56 minutes of this very fine album. © MD/Qobuz
$9.99
Jazz - Released November 9, 2018 | Tuk Music
Every jazz trumpeter has an intimate relationship with Chet Baker, his heritage is simply unavoidable. Paolo Fresu is no exception to the rule. Whatsmore, Fresu is one of the most fascinating successors of the “James Dean Of Jazz”. Each of the Sardinian musician’s recordings include a reference to Bakerian jazz. This time around, the homage is made even more obvious as illustrated by the title of the album: Tempo di Chet. However, Fresu is such a talented musician that he’s able to remain himself throughout the hour of melancholic music. In 1999, he co-authored the magnificent Shades of Chet with his fellow countryman Enrico Rava. Two decades later, he has become an ever more virtuosic, fascinating and nuanced trumpeter, and the way in which he revisits some of his master’s classics here (most notably My Funny Valentine and Everything Happens To Me) is simply sublime. For this exercise of great purity, Paolo Fresu has surrounded himself with pianist Dino Rubino and bass player Marco Bardoscia, two quiet accomplices perfectly in tune with his vision. Brilliant! © Marc Zisman/Qobuz
Jazz - Released June 20, 2015 | Tuk Music
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Jazz - Released January 4, 2019 | ACT Music
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Lounge - Released March 23, 2018 | EMI Music Publishing Italia Srl
Jazz - Released February 3, 2017 | Tuk Music
Booklet
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Jazz - Released April 30, 2017 | Tuk Music
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Jazz - Released October 2, 2015 | Tuk Music
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Jazz - Released March 19, 2010 | Splasc(h) Records
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Jazz - Released March 17, 2010 | Splasc(h) Records
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Contemporary Jazz - Released December 9, 2013 | Label Bleu
