Enrico Rava, the renowned Italian jazz trumpeter, delivers a captivating live experience with "Edizione Speciale," recorded at the prestigious Middelheim Festival in Anversa. This album, released on ECM Records, is a testament to Rava's enduring influence and the vitality of the Italian jazz scene. The six-track collection, spanning over an hour, showcases Rava's mastery of the trumpet alongside the inspired playing of pianist Giovanni Guidi and tenor saxophonist Francesco Bearzatti, among others.
"Edizione Speciale" is a vibrant blend of jazz, folk, and nostalgic echoes, each track a unique journey through Rava's musical landscape. The album opens with the expansive "Infant," a 13-minute exploration that sets the tone for the evening. The interplay between Rava's trumpet and Bearzatti's sax is particularly striking, their dialogue both stimulating and inspiring. Guidi's solo on "Once Upon A Summertime / Theme for Jessica Tatum" is a highlight, his fingers dancing over the keys with an energy that is infectious.
The album is a celebration of improvisation and collaboration, with each musician bringing their unique voice to the ensemble. Rava's compositions, both familiar and new, are reimagined in this live setting, taking on a life of their own. From the rhythmic drive of "Wild Dance" to the tender balladry of "Quizás, Quizás, Quizás," "Edizione Speciale" is a captivating snapshot of a master at work, surrounded by a group of talented young improvisers. The album is a testament to Rava's enduring influence and the vitality of the Italian jazz scene.
Vinylscout