With Amenta’s tenor saxophone are Cyrus Chestnut on piano, Kimon Karoutzos on bass, and Gary Kerzekou on drums. The compositions and arrangements are fascinating and entertaining and the performance by all involved is simply great Jazz.
The music is personal and beautiful. Dancing was written for his wife, a dancer herself. It is a steady and rhythmic description of the visuals of watching a dancer. From the start, Amenta’s tenor sax is rich and engaging. Also personal is Home, a walk down the streets of Amenta’s adopted home New York City.
Songs like Number 9 is a McCoy Tyner-inspired piece that gives everyone in the band a chance to show their chops and these fellas know how to bring it! That follows Bunch of Time with its funky lines and cool bass solo intro.
Burgundy 45 is a tribute to American music in all its forms from Blues to Swing to traditional Jazz and they all work. The album concludes with Ellington’s Come Sunday. It is beautiful and textured with lush contributions all around.
Midtown Walk is a timely and meaningful work of art. Francesco Amenta plays like a seasoned Jazzman and the trio behind him are exemplary. The album is a thing of beauty and a welcome feast for the ears and the mind. Can’t get enough.
~Travis Rogers, Jr. is The Jazz Owl