Jazz legend tenor saxman Von Freeman meets Italian piano virtuoso Francesco Crosara in a combination of original compositions and new arrangements of great standards.

10 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Traditional Jazz Combo, JAZZ: Jazz Fusion



Details:
Recorded in Chicago and Honolulu, features Von Freeman, Dave Marr, Rusty Jones, Dean Taba, Noel Okimoto, David Choy, Souren Baronian.

"a great meeting of two worlds that harmonize beautifully"
Von Freeman.


Notes by the Artist

These notes about each song in the album are not included in the CD layout. They are therefore available exclusively through this web site. Their purpose is to bring the listener closer to the artist's intention and approach in composition and arranging.

Dolphin Dance hancock (hancock music/BMI)
My intention was to revisit Herbie Hancock's classic standard with an original approach. The piano solo intro sparsely traces the melody and evolves into a slow dynamic latin groove with the rhythm section. Finally, Von's powerful sound comes through as the tempo suddenly switches to a straight- ahead feel. The mood keeps growing through a simultaneous piano and bass solo duet and resolves into a latin groove.

Colors crosara (ecila music/BMI)
Colors, the album's title track, is an introspective original composition of mine masterfully interpreted by Von Freeman. The tenor/piano duet alternates the delicate melody and resolves into a lyrical coda proving once again that "less is more".

Someday My Prince Will Come churchill-morey (bourne co/ASCAP)
Disney's classic, performed by most of jazz great innovators, is revamped with crisp cymbal work by Hawaiian virtuoso drummer Noel Okimoto supported by electric bass and Rhodes electric piano. The resulting fusion oriented approach gives new life and greater energy to this standard making it impossible to listen to this tune sitting still. In my opinion this recording has the best "groove" of the entire album.

I Loves You Porgy / Bess You Is My Woman gershwin-heyward (WB music/ASCAP)
This original arrangement of mine was tailored around the beautiful and warm tone of Von Freeman's tenor. Starting off with a bold saxophone statement a capella, the medley interweaves both melodies extending the original bridge by Gershwin and resulting in a new and fresh approach to two of the most moving ballads ever written.

Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most landesman-wolf (wolfland/ASCAP)
I interpreted this great song as a piano solo which explores alternate harmonies as it develops this complex tune alternating between a rubato approach and a more rhythmic interpretation with touches of latin montuno feel.

Plutonium 239 crosara (ecila music/BMI)
Another original composition of mine in a John Coltrane style, Plutonium 239 (the radioactive isotope of uranium 234) explodes with all its energy. The fast theme alternates between free form and be-bop melody riffs. The simultaneous use of synthesizers and acoustic instruments is defined through fast paced solos by all musicians. Rusty Jones' drum accents keep a driving pulse throughout the tune. This track is truly explosive in adherence with its title.

Piano Cameos: Petite Peach / Say Goodbye crosara (ecila music/BMI)
These two original piano cameos are delicate musical statements written for specific purposes. The first one, the waltz Petite Peach, is dedicated to my 12 year old daughter Alice. The second one, the more contemplative Say Goodbye describes the inner emotion of parting from a loved one. Both cameos will set the listener into a calm introspective mood.

Suite Venus - dedicated to Chick Corea crosara (ecila music/BMI)
A vibrant hard driving jazz latin fusion original composition of mine, this 3 part suite recorded in Honolulu blends jazz harmonizations with bright South American rhythms (a Brazilian baiao/ samba evolving into a songo) and a touch of exotic Middle Eastern percussions (Souren Baronian's Turkish dumbek). The melody bounces back and forth between the acoustic piano and the Rhodes in a very tasteful manner. Venus represents a musical voyage through different influences and is dedicated to one of my key sources of inspiration through the years, Chick Corea.

Passion ("paixão") crosara-perez (ecila/BMI)
The only vocal song in the album, my original piece Passion was conceived to include Brazilian lyrics. Stylistically, the song is written in a Keith Jarrett style, although it may lend itself to a more classic bossa nova feel. Chilean born Claudia Perez lends her warm voice (and lyric authorship) while Von Freeman performs a warm solo. Passion's finale on a long sustained note by Von is the perfect ending to this sincere, yet complex and heartfelt album.

Lyrics - Passion (Paixão)
Music: Francesco Crosara
Lyrics (Portuguese): Claudia Perez

Que você tinha, essa melodia
este coração, essa verdade
procura agora, em todas as pessoas
luz da manhã, algo o sol pra continuar

Ao trabalhar, inventando estrelas
repartindo amor, con essa grande paixão
de sua dor em você criar uma vida pra contar
persistir, de adorar, conquistar, revelar
esta constante, maneira de viver



I would like to thank all the fantastic musicians and recording engineers whose talents contributed to creating a genuine artistic statement. Everyone's passion for music and for life is reflected in this album. Thank you all.

Francesco