High Energy, acoustic jazz, power trio drawing from the styles of Gypsy Jazz, flamenco, soul and Bop and dishing out large helpings of harmonic complexity and high energy, soulful rhythms.

11 MP3 Songs in this album (49:05) !
Related styles: JAZZ: Gypsy Jazz, FOLK: Folk-Jazz

People who are interested in Django Reinhardt Rodrigo y Gabriela Rosenberg Trio should consider this download.


Details:
Ameranouche, the trioâs moniker, is a synthesis of âAmericanâ and âManoucheâ (gypsy). It helps explain not only the bandâs name but three musiciansâ amalgamation and reverence for the feel and flow of the gypsy repertoire infused with jazz improvisational brilliance. Although
faithful to the spirit, energy and instrumentation of Gypsy Jazz, this trio transcends mere mimicry.

This is Ameranoucheâs second release and ten of the eleven tunes are originals and much of their compositional menu earns five stars. They dish out large helpings of harmonic complexity and structural sophistication from their âGypsy Jazzâ table settings.

Soon after their first CD was unwrapped, Ben Wood, their original bass player, died tragically. With âBenâs Waltz,â theyâve presented a sensitive and poignant tribute to their departed band mate.

âLa Fouleâ the 1957 classic from Franceâs most famous âChansonnierâ and âLittle Sparrow,â Edith Piaf, is rendered in the Flamenco Gitane style,
adeptly rebirthing an original rather than reheating leftovers.

âThanks to the Gypsyâ and âAmeranouche Swingâ are traditionally crafted originals that saute with the burners on high.

âAwakeâ is one of the most interesting pieces and has a pleasant and soaring feel. Ryanâs rock-solid rhythm and Xarâs rotund bass notes simmer while Sheppâs fragrant and ethereal solo rises skyward.

âCloser than the Touchâ is a beautiful bossa inspired ballad that evokes a sated feeling after a romantic summer picnic.

âInto the Freeâ and âSecret Promisesâ have vocals layered over the traditional Pompe, but they are equally ripe for the savoring.

âTime Rizeâ has dissonant harmonies and angular melodic twists and turns reminiscent of many early Thelonius Monk recipes.

Sheppâs (lead guitar) playing is dazzling, unpredictable and dense with right hand flurries, double stops and chord fragments eschewing many of the single note clichés.

The rhythm section is critical to delivering the essence of the hot swing genre. Ryan on guitar and Xar on upright bass, both technically fluent and artistically accomplished themselves, play sous chef to Sheppâs flambé. Ryan measures Sheppâs pyrotechnics with a focused traditional Pompe while adding many world music based patterns to his authentic rhythmic recipe book. Xar consistently and faithfully provides the rest of the essential ingredients that go into the making of this
masterful musical mélange.

Ameranouche cooks with a passion and vibrancy usually served up only by the Manouche Masters They are no vin ordinnaire, but truly âNoucheâ Nouvelle Cuisine!

Ernie Pugliese (Ernie has written for Jazz Improv Magazine and Green Mountain Jazz Messenger)