CAELAN CARDELLO

CHAPTER ONE

Jazz Bird Records

Caelan Cardello, piano; Jonathon Muir-Cotton, bass; Domo Branch, drums; SPECIAL GUEST: Chris Lewis, tenor saxophone.

In 2021, BMI (Broadcast Music Inc) crowned Caelan Cardello a BMI Future Jazz Master.  As a mentee of the great Harold Mabern, Fred Hersch, and Bill Charlap, in 2023 he was a finalist in the American Piano Awards competition. As his piano mastery rips off of my CD player and fills my listening room with excitement and applaudable technique, Caelan Cardello captures my full attention.

This is the pianist’s debut album, and he certainly demands attention in a wonderful way.  From the very first original composition and opening tune of Cardello, I know I am listening to someone very special.  Titled, “Gone Fishin’” the song meanders along at a slow swing tempo, with a catchy opening melody that repeats throughout the tune as a sort of theme.  It almost sounds like a line some fisherman would be whistling while waiting for the fish to grab his bait.  It pulls me into the song. Jonathon Muir-Cotton’s bass line threads through the arrangement, needling it with powerful strength and continuity.  Together with Domo Branch on drums, they  stitch the energy together.   Meanwhile, Caelan Cardello is splashing color all over this tune. Wild creativity pours from his fingers.  I am totally captivated and impressed by this new pianist on the scene.

The second tune is the familiar Cole Porter tune “All of You.”  Once again, Cardello puts his own mark of excellence on their arrangement.  This album definitely captures the moment when this young artist is stepping out on his own unique platform of spontaneity, creativity and mad technique. Add to that his obvious talent as a fresh, new composer, and you have the makings of a promising and remarkable career.

His original composition “Steppin’ Up” whisks me back to the Coltrane era.  There is something energetic and exciting about this song and the way Caelan, Domo and Jonathon present it.  It sweeps me up in its tornado of sound and musicality. Cardello’s mastery of the piano supports his obvious domination of technique.  Domo Branch shines like a diamond on his drums during this electrifying performance.

Another Cardello original is titled “Don’t Look Back.”  It’s a blues-based arrangement that adds the magic of a tenor saxophone to the mix, played by his special guest, Chris Lewis.

At age five, Cardello discovered his love of the piano. People noticed the child’s natural talent early. He was involved with a number of distinguished arts programs that inspired and perpetuated his musical development. As a member of the renowned “Jazz House Kids” Program in New Jersey, he rubbed shoulders with prominent jazz figures like Jimmy Cobb, Jack DeJohnette, Rufus Reid, Wallace Roney, Ravi Coltrane, Paquito D’Rivera, Dee Dee Bridgewater and more.  Caelan graduated from William Paterson University with a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Piano Performance. He is currently attending Juilliard School for his Master’s Degree.

Caelan Cardello gives me hope for the new generation of jazz aficionados coming up.  He is a brilliant pianist, a gifted composer, and an inspired bandleader. I can’t wait to see him in person!

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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