Gianluca Lusi - What's New? (2014)

Saxophonist Gianluca Lusi, born in Abruzzo in 1975, has by now reached his full artistic maturity, this being his fifth album as a leader. He started with the clarinet as a boy and, after graduating with honors in saxophone at the Conservatory of L’Aquila, he has deepened the study of improvisation with Maurizio Gianmarco. Lusi has developed a style both classic and modern, a sort of crisp and melodic neo–bop, with a Mediterranean matrix, but also looking up to Wayne Shorter with interest. He has proven his talent with the album «Viaggio» (2006) at first, then, flanked by guitarist Luigi Masciari, with two interesting works such as «Gotha 17» (2008) and «Rune» (2010). The consecration, however, came in 2012, with «Loose», recorded in duet with the young American pianist Joel Holmes. In the liner notes Danilo Rea spares no praise to the two jazz musicians and authors of almost all titles. With this new work, Gianluca Lusi goes back to a reinterpretation of the standards (only the blues Young pretty lady and the nostalgic ballad Puerto antico are originals), but he does so with originality and crispness, without falling into the temptation of deja–vù. But some credit must be given to both the strength and inventiveness of Neapolitan pianist Francesco Marziani and to the amazing vocal mastery of Walter Ricci, a modern, original and mature crooner, in spite of his 25 years. The Neapolitan singer is even reckless in Cherokee and Just friends, but proves to be comfortable even in the most complex On Green Dolphin Street and What’s new ?. He seems to get on perfectly with the fluid and deep tenor sax played by the leader, never intrusive, always effective. Therefore it is not so surprising the fact that Ricci, although very young, has already dueted in records with Mario Biondi, Stefano Di Battista and Daniele Scannapieco.

Gianluca Lusi (tenor & soprano sax),
Walter Ricci (vocals),
Francesco Marziani (piano),
Daniele Sorrentino (double bass),
Luigi Del Prete (drums).