ENRICO PIERANUNZI TRIO
THE COPENHAGEN CONCERT DECEMBER 2 1996 (LIVE)
Enrico Pieranunzi piano
Marc Johnson bass
Paul Motian drums
Recorded
LIVE at Copenhagen Jazzhouse
Recording date
December 2, 1996
Release date
Aug 14, 2020
Duration
1:01’:15’’
Record Label
Storyville Records
Album Tracks
1 - Abacus (Paul Motian) - 10:06
2 - The Night Gone By (Enrico Pieranunzi) - 7:02
3 - Invitation (B. Kaper) - 8:53
4 - Medley: Body & Soul /
If I Should Lose you (J. Green - R. Rainger) - 16:18
5 - Everything I Love (Cole Porter) - 12:19
6 - Pannonica (Thelonious Monk) - 6:37
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Enrico Pieranunzi has been a popular guest in Copenhagen for over 30 years, where he has played with elite Danish musicians like Mads Vinding, Alex Riel and Jesper Lundgaard. In recent years he has collaborated closely in a duo context with the phenomenal bassist Thomas Fonnesbæk and the two, together, were soon able to achieve new heights of creativity. Pieranunzi is an exceptional pianist, whether he's playing solo, duo or trio. Melodically, harmonically, and not least of all rhythmically, he is "out of this world". He has something you simply don't hear with other musicians. Part of the explanation is likely due to a unique combination of influences, from his deep roots in classical and Italian music to his collaboration with iconic film composer Ennio Morricone and jazz giants like Chet Baker and Art Farmer. The rest - and most importantly - is due to Enrico himself.
On this recording, from December 1996 at the legendary and now closed Copenhagen Jazzhouse, he is joined by two masters in their own right; Marc Johnson on bass and Paul Motian on drums. This trio plays with virtuosity and force that shines through on every note and beat. The album opens with the tempo filled track Abacus, written by Motian. A track that has a playfulness and displays the three musicians' genuine interaction and functions as a conversation between the piano and bass. Both the technique as well as feel is top-level as the musical resources are in free flow. The Night Gone By, written by Pieranunzie, starts with more of a ballad feel before a bass solo transcends the track into a higher tempo midway lead by the piano, before coming back to its initial softer feel at the end. Album closer Pannonica, a Thelonius Monk penned classic, has more of a swing feel to it. Pieranunzi, the Italian piano master, is recognized as one of the best European jazz pianists and as a pianist, composer and arranger he has recorded more than 70 albums.
REVIEWS:
The Italian pianist Enrico Pieranunzi is one of the most significant living pianists of its kind. And fortunately he is not averse to concerts in this country, often in the company of drummer Morten Lund and bassist Thomas Fonnesbæk. But just 25 years ago, the Roman virtuoso visited Denmark in the company of drummer Paul Motian and bassist Marc Johnson, both with experience from Bill Evans' legendary trios, but not at the same time. And they gave a fabled concert in the now defunct Copenhagen Jazzhouse. Thanks to the fiery soul Steve Schein, it is finally on record. It is a majestic case in which the three musicians demonstrate how trio playing can be at once felt, superior, playful and frontier-seeking. They play with a spirit and a playfulness like young seals, but never artificial, or blistering. They all know that great music requires humility as well as artistic force. The drummer's own 'Abacus' elegantly opens into a space where dancing musicality and interpretive power dance hand in hand, and Pieranunzi's own 'The Night Goes By' supports this impression. Johnson's glorious rosewood tone, Motian's self-seated drums and Pieranunzi's effortless thrills culminate in a long paraphrase of 'Body & Soul' and 'If I Should Loose You'; it's pretty excellent, and it's also the next issue of Cole Porter's Everything I love’. It is truly a world-class trio play, and with a drive that in places puts the Jarrett trio's self-tasting meditation worship in the corner of shame. Pieranunzi, Motian and Johnson will come forward, all the time, but never in a hurry. Therefore, it is an hour in almost heavenly realms.
Alt efter hvor gammel du er, så kan 1996 føles som i forgårs eller som dengang dinosaurerne ikke kun var et skelet på et naturhistorisk museum. Hvis jeg nævner Steve's Books & Records og DR's OB-vogn parkeret i Niels Hemmingsensgade udenfor Copenhagen Jazzhouse, så føles det som meget lang tid siden, ligegyldigt hvor gammel du er.
I 1996 fyldte Steve Scheins nu hedengangne plade og bogforretning 20 år. Det blev fejret med en koncert på Copenhagen Jazzhouse med den italienske stjernepianist Enrico Pieranunzi sammen med de næsten endnu større amerikanske stjerner, bassisten Marc Johnson og trommeslageren Paul Motian. DR kendte deres besøgelsestid og optog koncerten, som Storyville har valgt at udsende nu 24 år senere.
Det er der mange grunde til. Først og fremmest er det en boblende vital trio, der står på scenen. Det er jazz der står ovenpå og viderefører Bill Evans-traditionen. De spiller flere af jazzens helt store klassikere. Et nummer som Body and soul er hørt mange gange før. Enrico Pieranunzi går så tæt på, at det nærmest overskrider intimsfæren. Det forstår de to amerikanere til fulde og er med i diskretionens tjeneste. Det er beskrivende for et meget velkomment tilbageblik på lyden af international jazz i København for næsten et kvart århundrede siden.