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ROBERTO MAGRIS EUROPLANE/ HERB GELLER
Il bello del jazz
Soul Note
****

Pianist Magris, in his Europlane incarnation, has a real talent for getting the creative juices flowing, even in the venerable bop/mainstream idiom. He does it this time with Herb Geller. Backed by a fine rhythm section which includes Rudi Engel (bass) and regular drummer Gabriele Centis, the veteran American altoist is in splendid form. On a decidedly unhackneyed programme of originals by Geller, Magris, Benny Carter and Al Cohn, and seldom played, even obscure, pieces like A New Town Is a Blue Town (a nice use of a blues base), Here I'll Stay, Some Other Spring and Sondheim's Pretty Woman, Geller lays down some of the best alto he's recorded in years. A good guitarist, Darko Jurkovic, is on four tracks, but it's the alto and that fine rhythm section that really stirs the pot. http://uk.hmboutique.com

Take a look at the review from Germany regarding Roberto Magris Europlane

Please visit the link below to see the review about Roberto Magris Europlane from Austria

http://paulcollinsartistmanagement.com/webmail/src/download.php?startMessage=1&passed_id=1486&mailbox=INBOX&ent_id=3&passed_ent_id=0

Please click on the link below to read the review from Austria regarding Roberto magris Europlane.

http://paulcollinsartistmanagement.com/webmail/src/download.php?startMessage=1&passed_id=1486&mailbox=INBOX&ent_id=2&passed_ent_id=0

The first thing I noticed about pianist Roberto Magris is the ebb and flow of his rhythmic structured approach to jazz. His latest CD entitled Il Bello Del Jazz is a blend of cool straight-ahead interactive instrumental music. Billed as a classic approach to jazz, Roberto and his band Europlane have a lot going on and even more to discuss. Inasmuch as most of what is being offered in the form of smooth jazz nowadays is often quite predictable, this group that is led by Roberto Magris’ brilliantly conceived ideas, does provide a refreshing transition into the very art of jazz. From the onset of Il Bello Del Jazz, this CD commands immediate attention.

Roberto Magris and saxophonist Herb Geller open the recording with a track entitled “No Sadness,” which stands as a vibrant interaction between two jazz masters. But then as if by choreographed artistry, guitarist Darko Jurkovic chimes in with an impeccable display of stringmanship. These three guys collectively display a chemistry that allows Il Bello Del Jazz to be as fluid as a running stream. When “No Sadness” is played in unison, they create an atmosphere of lively homogenous creativity. What starts out slow with Magris doing the honors on piano, soon culminates with action and something solid to build upon.

Another up beat stylized track entitled “Key Largo” fans the flame of smooth unadulterated percussive piano action. Roberto Magris is exceptionally persuasive with a driving rhythmic melody which is again offset by Herb Geller on sax. I don’t know how long these two guys have collaborated together, but both appear to be joined at the hip. Although Roberto drives Europlane with his piano antics, Geller is the engine that moves them; however, both voices are just as important for take-off and landing. The interaction between these two musical giants is enjoyable; but make no mistake about it, the band is just as sweet with a backdrop of hardware that keeps Europlane configured as a jazz activated sensory energy ray of creativity.

Il Bello Del Jazz is an album that is rhythmically correct in every aspect of cool sounding straight-ahead jazz. Even in the CD’s more subtle moments, Roberto exhibits another side, which also shows his versatility on a different note. On a tune entitled “A New Town is a Blue Town,” Roberto’s stride-like approach is again augmented by Geller’s flow; however, bassist Rudi Engel and drummer Gabriele Centis shine through with a variance that opens yet another window of opportunity. This time, all four musicians seem to be exchanging information and ideas through jazz. The melody is cool and smooth; however, unlike the other smooth style, Magris and Europlane keep a disciplined groove going at every juncture.

Roberto Magris Europlane has recorded 11 tracks of straight-ahead magic. The album has a style that is reminiscent of Ellington’s sophistication, but can also be coupled with the subtlety of Bud Powell. By any stretch of interpretation, the band is a precision driven finely tuned jazz machine, one that exhibits the kind of chemistry not often seen in most groups. What is even more intriguing about Il Bello Del Jazz is the album’s origin as a European import. Recorded in Trieste, jazz has come back to America to roost. What is presented is yet another perspective on this great American art form. Either way, no matter how his music is conveyed, Roberto Magris Europlane and Il Bello Del Jazz have proven jazz is an art form with a style and an identity of its own. In the final analysis, I can honestly say this is a CD worth a listen and an addition to any collection.

Tracks:
No Sadness, Stray Form, Some Other Spring, Key Largo, A New Town Is A Blue Town, Here I’ll Stay, Ah Moore, IL Bello Del Jazz, Pretty Woman, Parker’s Pen, Deception

John Gilbert gives "Il Bello del Jazz " Five Stars!!!!!

The piano magic of Roberto Magris coupled with the muscular sound of
Herb Geller's alto makes for an ear pleasing sound indeed.

"Il Bello Del Jazz" This fast moving tune penned by Magris is the
showcase number in this album. Darko Jurkovic's guitar solo is a gem and
Geller's solo in the Parker mode is a work of art. Magris plays the
piece right into the heart of hip.

"Parker's Pen" BeBop is the message of this track as this rapid fire
Magris tune is parlayed into one superb addition to this recording.
Magris' solo has a hint of Bud Powell and Geller weaves his spell to the
maximum. The exchanges are spectacular in their ideation. "Parker's Pen"
highlights the artistry of this ensemble and the solos define bop in
it's purest form.

This CD is professionalism and creativity as it should be, with no
gimmicks or off beat modes to please the proponents of the faux jazz
often presented today.
5 Stars

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Pianist Roberto Magris leads a stellar mainstream quartet on this album, and guitarist Darko Jurkovic makes it a quintet on “No Sadness,” “Parker’s Pen,” “Deception” and “Il Bello del Jazz.” Alto saxophonist Herb Geller provides a warm reflection that gives the ensemble a large portion of its lyrical texture. He and Magris come together with a natural love for melodic invention that swings comfortably.


The title track drives with a beautiful texture that proves seamless in its translation and fluid from its inception. Walking bass, anxious, transparent sticking, creative soloing with outside quotes, and a warm musical embrace give the band’s interpretation a timeless flavor.


Magris’ program includes originals as well as familiar songs. Ballads and light romps give the unit plenty of variety. However, the flowing air of jazz authority that swings this session lightly from start to finish makes for a clear-cut five-star performance, which means an automatic seed on this year’s ten best list. When everything fits the way it does for Magris and his ensemble, there’s got to be some intuition involved.


Geller, 77, brings a fresh outlook to this affair. His views on what makes mainstream jazz work give the session a solid backbone. However, he and the others temper the tried and true formula with gentle nuances that take the session to another level. With “Key Largo,” for example, Geller and Magris push with spontaneity through twists and turns, swinging like a Saturday night at the dance. Geller drives high and low, Magris spins a knuckle-busting flurry of ideas, and the quartet sews this one up with a new overcoat.


Geller’s “Deception” and “Stray Form” flow with lyrical ideas that emphasize a clarion tone and smooth attack. Magris’ “No Sadness” and his “Parker’s Pen” bring joyful pleasure to the program in different ways. One nods to the energy of an uptempo Charlie Parker line, while the other saunters eloquently in a light Latin mood. The program maintains a firm hold on jazz’s mainstream tradition while completing the spirit of innovation through intuitive shifts in position.

Track Listing: No Sadness; Stray Form; Some Other Spring; Key Largo; A New Town is a Blue Town; Here I’ll Stay; Ah Moore; Il Bello del Jazz; Pretty Woman; Parker’s Pen; Deception.

Personnel: Roberto Magris: piano; Rudi Engel: bass; Gabriele Centis: drums; Herb Geller: alto saxophone; Darko Jurkovic: guitar.



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Visit the All About Jazz.com link below for the full story.

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Roberto Magris Europlane - Il Bello Del Jazz;
Soul Note Records
Our previous exposure to the Italian pianist was on the 2005 Europlane CD Check-In.
The star of that disc, saxophonist Tony Lakatos, is absent this time round, but Euro-based American alto master Herb Geller has his own voice - it's not a disappointment, but it is different from Lakatos.
The title loosely translates as 'The Beauty of Jazz' (or What I Love About Jazz) and there's plenty of beautiful playing, from the rhythmic pulse of Stray Form to the sprightly Key Largo and the delicate A New Town Is A Blue Town
Il Bello De Jazz is the kind of album that can readily be enjoyed by purists without alienating the 'Sunday Brunch' crowd.

The Roberto Magris Europlane has had an evolving lineup that shifts from quartet to orchestra. On Il Bello Del Jazz, Magris settles for a quintet featuring Herb Geller. The leader is confident in several settings, from acid jazz to funk, free jazz and even rap. Here, he settles into the mainstream with what he calls a tribute to the form, exploring tunes that are comfortable in the niche. In addition to two contributions from Geller, some standards make for a compact portrait.


The music makes an immediate statement with the deliberately paced Magris tune “No Sadness.” Each note from Magris is a crystalline statement that goes on to invoke a lithe swing from the liquid tones of Geller’s alto saxophone. Geller is an articulate player, compact in his movements yet deeply emotive. Magris augments that spirit through fluid lines. The final impact comes from Darko Jurkovic, whose guitar sings eloquently with every phrase.

The musicians bop along when they pick up the heady “Parker’s Pen.” Jurkovic scoots off, laying a deep groove pushed on by Gabriele Centis on drums. The tune sparkles as Heller swoops in with looping notes. Magris has the final say, his dynamic extrapolations abetted by a sure left hand. The softer tones of “Ah Moore” offer another stream for the band. Magris plays with a sure attitude, essaying the melody with delicacy. He sets the mood, and Geller adds the topping, his alto shaping the lines by changing direction and emphasis. Benny Carter’s “Key Largo” swings. It’s given its head by Geller, but Magris sweeps into the rhythm and romps along on a tide of colour that enlarges the tune's scope.


Il Bello Del Jazz is a very enjoyable recording from a top-notch group.

IL BELLO DEL JAZZ
Roberto Magris Europlane
Italy’s highly admired pianist Roberto Magris, and his working ensemble Europlane offer listeners 11 great tracks and all the charms and mysteries of the Italian seaport city of Trieste, on their latest release for Soul Note titled IL BELLO DEL JAZZ. Most jazz publications rate the pianist among the top pianists in Europe because of the influence that such great American pianists as McCoy Tyner, Jaki Byard, Randy Weston have had on his style of playing. With special guest alto saxophonist Herb Geller on board, this set reaches new levels of swing and bebop because of the influence that such great altoists such as Benny Carter and Charlie Parker have had on Geller’s playing. So one might say that this is a CD under the influence, so to speak. Most of the songs are a great mix of originals penned by Geller and Magris as well as covers by Great American Songwriters including Benny Carter, Stephen Sondheim, and Sammy Cohn. “No Sadness,” opens the set. It has a tinge of the Latin feel although it’s played in a minor-key. “Some Other Song,” a rarely heard Billie Holiday tune co-written by Teddy Wilson’s wife Irene Kitchings and Arthur Herzog, is played as a duet with Magris and Geller while “A New Town Is A Blue Town,” (from the Broadway hit The Pajama Game) is played as a blues with a hit of “Parker’s Mood” at the bridge of Magris’ solo! However, it’s the highly jovial title track “Il Bello Del Jazz” that provides the most buoyant swing on the recording. The soloing is exceptional and the ensemble’s interplay speaks highly of Magris’ talent as an arranger and bandleader. Overall, the concept ranks right up there with CHECK IN, Roberto Magris Europlane’s previous release that featured Tony Lakatos and is one that should be in your jazz collection. Buy it today at www.blacksaint.com
www.soundsoftimelessjazz.com

Just released by SoulNote Label!!!
The highly anticipated NEW CD by PCAMI* ROBERTO MAGRIS EUROPLANE featuring HERB GELLER entitled: "IL Bello Del Jazz"

See attached link

http://www.blacksaint.com/TOP_frame.htm

John Stevenson @ejazznews.com Reviews "Check-In"

http://www.ejazznews.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=5878
Roberto Magris Europlane, Check-in (Black Saint)

This is one Italian who sure as hell knows how to swing! Magris never ceases to amaze the listener with ballsy blues appropriations, dexterous solos and overall adventurousness; “On Blues for My Sleeping Baby”, he and band-mates take their time to flesh out the blues’n’bop-inspired theme and take it to it’s logical conclusions. Out front, Tony Lakatos and Michael Erian share soprano and tenor duties, while the leader (Magris), bassist Robert Balzar and drummer Gabriele Centis hold down the riddim’ section with full authority. Magris is simply one of the most imaginative European jazz pianists on the scene at the moment. Listeners are advised not only to check in but join him on this rather fascinating flight into the bebop stratosphere.

Roberto Magris Europlane Track "Luci Lontane" is Top 3 Download at All About Jazz .com in Italy.

See for yourself...
http://italia.allaboutjazz.com/php/jazzdownloads_top.php

Please visit www.jazzreview.com and www.ejazznews.com for the latest in jazz news.
These sites contain reviews of PCAMI* and SoulNote International Recording Artist Roberto Magris, pianist from Trieste, Italy.