PAT BIANCHI

CONFLUENCE

Pat Bianchi, organ/keyboards; Colin Stranahan, drums; Troy Roberts, saxophone.

Born in upstate Rochester, New York, young Bianchi began playing organ at seven years old. To date, he has nine albums as a leader released to critical acclaim.  “Confluence” may be one of his best recordings to date.

Pat Bianchi is a Grammy-nominated organist who comes out the gate swinging hard on the familiar “It Was a Very Good Year.”  Colin Stranahan uses his master drum technique to push this arrangement forward, with Troy Roberts soaring on saxophone.  Bianchi holds the piece together with his creative introduction, also used as the fade for this wonderful and refreshing arrangement of an old, familiar tune.

On another jazz standard, “Jitterbug Waltz,” Bianchi surprises me by playing it in 7/4 time.  It totally reframes and refreshes this classic, pushing their arrangement through a more contemporary door.

This trio offers a spirited rendition of “The Song is You” perhaps inspired by the energy and excellence that Joey DeFrancesco always brought to the stage. Bianchi is a student of mentors like Dr. Lonnie Smith and Joey DeFrancesco.  Still, he spotlights his own individuality and self-expression on this album, quickly becoming one of my favorite jazz organists on the scene.

Troy Roberts adds spice and excitement to the trio package, splashing space with his delightful, improvised saxophone tones.  He and Bianchi play off of each other, in perfect unity.  They are held together with both tempo and creatively by the Stranahan drums. You can hear Colin’s talents roar during their ‘trading of fours.’  This is six minutes of unforgettable jazz energy.

When they play beautiful ballads like “Guess I’ll hang My Tears Out to Dry” I melt in the sensuous flame of their jazzy delivery.

Pat Bianchi is a testament to the continued popularity and importance of the jazz organ trio.  Another album I enjoyed was his tribute to Stevie Wonder.

Also, Bianchi appears on more than thirty-five albums as a sideman. He has become one of my favorite organists.  Every song on “Confluence” honors jazz organ history, along with Pat Bianchi’s impressive, super talents on his instrument.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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