Italy was a haven for American jazz musicians in the 70s and 80s, as the fans were knowledgeable and loyal. Having lived there at the time, it was uncanny how many big names came through the cities. Here are a couple samples of what the scene sounded like
Trombone giant Kai Winding picks up a local team of Dino Piana/vtb, Enrico Pieranunzi/p, Giovanni Tommaso/b and Tullio De P iscopo/dr for a session in Rome, 1979. The mix of sliding and valve horns is delicious on “Kai And Dino” and “Duo Bones”, while scintillating on “On Green Dolphin Street”. Winding glows on his own” Lady H” and “Stop Following Me” and the Italian rhythm team is spot on for “Soul Dance”. Healthy bones.
A graduate of Art Blakey School of Hard Bop, Bobby Watson p lays in the tradition of his employer with Piero Bassini/p, Attilio Zanchi/b and Gampiero Prina/dr for a pair of 1983 gigs in Milano, Italy. Watson gives a state of the horn performance on his solo of “Perpetual Groove” while giving tribute to Bird on “Blue N Boogie”, Coltrane for “MR. P C” and Rollins during a volcanic “Oleo”. The double time take of “Cherokee” has Watson in the front car of the rollercoaster ride, with the rhythm section keeping up like a Neopolitan taxi driver. Hey! Get off the road!!