ANTHONY D’ALESSANDRO

CITY LIGHTS

Independent Label

Anthony D’Alessandro, piano; Jonathan Chapman, bass; Ernesto Cervini, drums; Summer Camargo, trumpet; Jacob Chung, tenor saxophone; Jennarie, vocals.

Toronto-based Canadian pianist Anthony D’Alessandro offers us seven original compositions on his sophomore album including two James P. Johnson stride piano pieces reimagined for a piano trio. The first tune on the “City Lights” album is “Four Minute Mile.”  It starts out invigorated  with punchy staccato chords. Then, like a long-distance runner, the tune settles into a Straight- Ahead swing groove featuring D’Alessandro’s piano solo. This is followed by rising-star. Jacob Chung’s impressive tenor saxophone solo. Chung swings, flashing me back to the Coltrane days. Then Summer Camargo steps into the spotlight on trumpet. She represents the youngest ever member of the famed Saturday Night Live television band.  The group trades fours with JUNO-winning drummer Ernesto Cervini.

D’Alessandro has chosen the crème de la crème in Canadian musicians to join him on this “City Lights” excursion.  His original compositions shine.  “Staying the Course” is another swinger.

A composition he calls “Sacred Ground” quiets the mood. This is followed by “City Lights” that briskly picks up the pace. It features a Latin infused arrangement. Summer Camargo dances along on trumpet. The title tune’s melody is catchy. It makes me want to sing along.  I enjoyed hearing Jonathan Chapman’s bass briefly pump out his improvisation on the musical theme. Chapman really turns up the heat on “the Line Up” tune, with a strong walking bass line beneath Anthony D’Alessandro’s energized piano solo.

On a tune co-written with vocalist Jennarie, called “Oversight,” D’Alessandro tenderly changes the mood.  It’s a sweet ballad that fades into a happy shuffle on another original he calls “Green Sauce.”

They close by celebrating the music of James P. Johnson. He was an African-American composer and pianist, born back in 1894 and popular in the 1930s. Johnson wrote many hit songs including the unofficial anthem of the Roaring Twenties that Anthony D’Alessandro plays on this album, “The Charleston.”  This song and “Harlem Strut,” another James P. Johnson gem, showcase D’Alessandro’s technical ability on the piano, playing the Stride style.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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