JAY D’AMICO with MARLON MARTINEZ

MELODIA

Consolidated Artists Publications, LLC

Jay D’Amico, piano/composer/arranger; Marlon Martinez, bass; producer, Jazz Under Glass.

Jay D’Amico knows how to fuse America’s classical music called Jazz with the European classics.  He’s been a lover of Fredrick Chopin for years and over time, Jay discovered that Chopin’s music was an amalgam of Polish forms like Polonaise and Mazurka.  He has recorded several albums with a trio, although this project is spotlighting a duo effort. His idea is to creatively combine cultures.

For example, on his title tune, “Melodia” the arrangement is quite classical at the introduction.  First, we hear Marlon Martinez pick up his bow and tremble the strings of his double bass in a very emotional way.  D’Amico unfolds the melody in the upper register and about midway through, his piano solo trickles the blues into this song, yet still holds steady with the classical arrangement.  This is followed by “Tarantella.”  D’ Amico’s left-hand skips along, dancing staccato with his chords and letting his right-hand solo with the melody.  About midway through the arrangement, his original composition quickly turns into a slow ‘swing’ and it’s all jazz, with Martinez walking his bass purposefully beneath the groove.

Some years ago, when Jay D’Amico attended a jazz workshop taught by the iconic Milt Hinton, he found Hinton to be a kindred spirit.  They became fast friends.  Their association as educators lasted for eighteen years.  Hinton was very supportive of D’ Amico’s concept, that of blending jazz and European classical music.  You will hear his beautiful arrangement of “Tenderly” on this new album. Three years ago, he played this piece solo piano.

On his latest release, D’ Amico’s “Sonata for Piano & Bass” has three movements.  He and Marlon Martinez work in perfect harmony together.  During these movements, I hear a lot of counter melodies and counterpoint phrases between the two musicians.  Bassist John Clayton, who (like Jay D’ Amico) was a disciple of Milt Hinton, is the person who recommended the pianist merge his talents with Martinez. On “Preludio A Vinci” you hear how beautifully the Martinez double bass technique supports and sparks D’ Amico’s arrangement.  They make a perfect duet and continue D’ Amico’s legacy of successfully mixing the classical genre with jazz.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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