“Agita, My Cumpa, in the Panzon”
If you know Broadway Danny Rose and Nick Apollo Forte’, those words are as delicious as calzone.What we’ve got here is a celebration of one of the key cultures to make jazz the great music that it is, the boot and soccer ball that makes up Italy and Sicily has sent millions of warm blooded artists to America and by God’s grace, they made American jazz the joy that it is. We’re not going to list the Italian singers that have passed through the microphones of American stages as there isn’t enough space for that. Instead, we’ll go through a list of some of the major musicians and their respective instruments.
I do this to have you start digging into their catalogues and realized what a rich and varied heritage our compadres have given us. Salute’!
Bass-Scott La Faro, John Patitucci, Martin Pizzarelli,
Piano-Lennie Tristano, Sal Mosca, Johnny Guarnari, Vince Guaraldi, Pete Jolly, Johnny Varro
Organ-Joey DeFrancesco
Guitar-Pat Martino, Joe Pass, Eddie Lang, Bucky and John Pizzarelli, John Pisano, Al Viola, Al Di Meola, Tony Mottola
Violin-Joe Venuti, Johnny Frigo, Stephane Grappelli
Drums-Joe La barbera, Louis Bellson, Nick Fatool, Louis Prima, Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Gadd, Joe Morello
Vibes-Buddy Greco
Clarinet-Buddy DeFranco, Tony Scott, Joe Marsala, Jimmy Giuffre, Richie Kamuca,
Tenor Sax-Sal Nistico, Vince Trombetta, Joe Lovano, Gus Bivona, Charlie Ventura, Flip Phillips, Joe Farrell, Tony Pastor, Sam Butera, Frank Tiberi
Baritone Sax-Nick Brignola
Bass Sax-Adriano Rollini
Alto Sax-Al Gallodoro, Art Pepper, Toots Mondello. Charlie Mariano
Trumpet-Conte and Pete Condoli, Chris Botti, Chuck Mangione, Nick La Roca, Jimmy McPartland, Tony Fruscella, Claudio Roditi, Enrico Rava
Trombone-Frank Rossolino, Carl Fontana
Not a bad list of paisans! And, if you notice, almost none of them play atonal or “outside” -all are lyrical, bel canot and the all play a note for all it’s worthe. That’s the gift that Italians have brought to jazz. Bella!!!!