At one time only used in bar mitzvahs and weddings, the accordion (or bandoneon, if you prefer as in the case of the Ambrosini disc) has started becoming a much more popular instrument in the jazz and latin scene. Here are a couple releases to show what it’s capable of doing.
French native Jean-Louis Matinier brings his accordion to team up with Italian Marco Ambrosini and his nyckelharpa to create some rich sounds that mix folk, jazz and baroque. The nickelharpa is sort of like a violin that wants to be a zither when it grows up, but in the hands of Ambrosini, it’s gorgeously versatile, delivering danceable tangos as on “Wionsa” or swaying folk melodies such as during “Basse Dance.” Matienier is able to create some luminous organ like sounds during “”Szybko” or can pop the pedals during the stomping and percussive “Tastegiatta.” Together, they deliver a Bach-like “Presto” and an almost mathematically baroque “Invento” from JS himself. Lots of lively sounds.
Dino Saluzzi handles the bandoneon here with a team of Jose Maria saluzzi/g, Nicolas Brizuela/g, Felix Saluzzi/ts-cl, Matias Saluzzi/b and Quintino Cinalli/dr-perc that mixes folksy jazz with hints of classical from the early Romantic period. Jazz bohemia is felt when Felix Saluzzi’s clarinet joins the mix as on “Sombras” and his sax has a gentle swing on the Depression Era mood-driven “A Mi Padri y A Mi Hio.” Other times, Jose’s classical guitar creates soft and sensitive themes as on “La Polvadera” and other moments a gentle set of strings starts slowly building up into an almost operatic dramatic crescendo as on “Urkupina Pt II.” Lovely melodies mix with lively improvisations of life here; just like in modern Italy!
ECM Records