GIANNI BIANCHINI

A STUDY IN SONGBOOK

Gianni Bianchini Entertainment, LLC

Dr. Gianni Blanchini, piano/vocals; Ross Kratter, bass; Sam Hart, drums.

This trio, led by Dr. Gianni Blanchini on piano and vocals, opens with “East of the Sun.” They swing across my listening room at a moderate tempo. Dr. Bianchini is a strong pianist who explores each tune he plays with jazzy chops improvising dramatically, to push the creativity out-front with knowledgeable fingers. I am immediately transported to a piano bar in some cozy hotel alcove, sipping a martini and enjoying the trio’s familiar performance of songs we know and love.

He adds the familiar opening verse rubato, to present his rendition of “I Wish You Love,” before establishing the beat and Latin flavor of their arrangement. Then, on “Give Me the Simple Life” he swings hard, with Ross Kratter walking his bass briskly beneath Bianchini’s piano excellence.  Sam Hart is a steady power-driving machine on trap drums. Dr. Bianchini offers nine songs from the great American songbook, competently singing and playing piano to interpret them in his own unique way.

He slows the rhythm down on “I Thought About You” but it’s still a compelling slow swing.

I love the way he plays the blues and reimagines “Sweet Lorraine.”  His piano accompaniment is full of improvisational blues phrases, with the tinkling of the upper register dynamic.  Once his vocals have interpreted the lyrics fully, his fingers take over the job of tickling the piano keys in the most obnoxious and creative way.

Bianchini has released three albums to date as a leader.  He also appears on numerous recordings as a sideman. The talented pianist has enjoyed playing and recording with Jason Marsalis, Arturo Sandoval and Duffy Jackson.  Dr. Bianchini is also an educator who taught at New York University and the University of Texas at Austin.  He’s also spent nearly a decade as Director of Piano at Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador.

Currently, Dr. Gianni Bianchini serves as Head of Jazz Studies at Palm Beach Atlantic University.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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