Paolo Fresu

With 850,000 volumes, 120,000 old books and a collection of 7,500 newspapers, the Municipal Library of the Archiginnasio of Bologna is a place steeped in history. It was here, in early 2021, that Paolo Fresu decided to celebrate his own history. For his 60th birthday, the Sardinian trumpet player gathered a handful of relatives for an exceptional concert, obviously without an audience. Together with bandoneonist Daniele di Bonaventura, pianist Dino Rubino, double bassist Marco Bardoscia and the Alborada Quartet, he wandered through various rooms in this magnificent library performing pieces in his own style. A colourful and hybrid jazz, European at heart and always strolling around. Without ever being a birthday retrospective with the feel of a funeral, Musica da Lettura shows above all the extent of Fresu's genius: an avid researcher and passer-by, capable of drawing on popular musical traditions from cinema, literature, classical or folk music and, of course, jazz... The repertoire of this album (available exclusively on Qobuz) mixes popular songs and themes speckled with electronic effects, to underline the distance between the history of the venue and the contemporaneity of the sounds. On El Ciego, the European tradition intertwines with Latin America. On Notte a San Stino, an almost new age composition that he performs alone, Fresu interweaves several takes of his instrument. And to further extend the field of possibilities, he draws his inspiration from Strauss' Metamorphoses, which he bathes in a solemnity inherited from Rossini. Chamber music or futuristic, nostalgic or groovy, meditative or dreamy, nothing is missing from this fiesta between friends... But the essence of this magnificent album lies in the organic and human character of the music. Despite the literary references and multiple influences, Paolo Fresu's trumpet remains a simple and beautiful language that speaks to the heart. A language brought alive by the bond he enjoys with his fellow musicians, all in tune with this anniversary that one would dream of endlessly... © Marc Zisman/Qobuz

Paolo Fresu won't be stopped so easily! Not even at 60. In this, his birthday week, the Sardinian trumpeter with the XXL discography (his name appears on more than 300 records!) is releasing a triple album! The one who keeps slaloming between genres, inspirations and partners is offering up three sides of his art. This copious P60LO FR3SU opens with a remastered version of Heartland, a 2019 album featuring the voice of David Linx and arrangements for string quartet by Diederik Wissels. It closes with Heroes, a surprising vocal work, exclusively composed of David Bowie covers. These covers are often surprising and full of  freshness, performed by Petra Magoni and recorded at the end of 2020. Fresu has placed The Sun on the Sea, dead centre in this vocal romp. Also recorded in 2020, it was made with two faithful companions: his fellow bandoneonist Daniele Di Bonaventura and the Brazilian cellist Jaques Morelenbaum. A trio sailing on the currents of a Mediterranean jazz which is also pushed along by Latin American waves. More than two hours and forty-five minutes of protean and colourful music, made in the image of the trumpeter himself. © Clotilde Maréchal/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

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

Released in 2012, Alma will remain a sublime snapshot of the meeting between Paolo Fresu and Omar Sosa. The Sardinian trumpeter and Cuban pianist come together again with Eros, a concept album dedicated to the love born of their artistic collaboration and developed during their concerts. Fresu and Sosa have here chosen to compose original pieces inspired by the "sacred" totem of emotion that pushes beauty toward the divine. A deep and consistent work enriched by the valuable contribution of Brazilian cellist Jaques Morelenbaum (featured already on Alma), the Alborada string quartet and Belgian singer Natacha Atlas who, thanks to her anglo-egyptian origins, signs off a stunning Arabic version of Teardrop by Massive Attack! Highlights the universality of musical language without sounding cliché. © CM/Qobuz