Blue Napoli
Musica

Surely a very interesting project, this one set up by pianist Rossano Sportiello. Sportiello grew up with the myth of Renato Carosone, and what better reference point could be taken as an example when it comes to mixing classical Neapolitan tradition and jazz tradition?

This is how "Blue Napoli" was born, a delightful album of jazz interpretations of classic Neapolitan Songs and created within the Jazz Club of Ferrara. Promoted by Sportiello himself seated behind the piano, it also includes Gerry Gennarelli on vocals, Giorgio Rosciglione on double bass, Gegè Munari on drums and distinguished guests like Ellade Bandini, Fabrizio Bosso, Alfredo Ferrario, and Daniele Scannapieco.

Albums like these have no pretensions, because they are not albums made to "astonish" the listener: they are albums created to spark curiosity in those who love the various components individually that will come together in the final product, and in this case Jazz and Neapolitan Song. When these projects are born, the risk that an arrangement may turn out to be difficult or too "daring" is very high, but in this case, it's just a magical journey "respecting the soul of the song", as Sportiello himself says in the liner notes.

And so the album rises note by note, and the combo has fun weaving with feelings that are at times delicate, at times captivating, poignant and melancholic, fire and swing. Obviously, the songs of Renato Carosone, if one wants a bit of a summary of the Sportiello project, turn out to be the "leading tracks", and the trio "Pigliate 'na Pastiglia", "Tu Vuo' fa l'Americano" and "'O Sarracino", with effervescent dynamism, does not shy away from its assigned role, which is to immerse the album, and with it the listener, in a sparkling atmosphere, a colorful musical party, just like in some of the beautiful artwork curated by Francesco Musante.

Many notes of merit surely go to Gerry Gennarelli, capable of interpreting the songs impeccably, providing endless pathos in classics such as "Decitencello Vuie", "'Na Sera 'e Maggio", "Anema e Core" and "Uocchie c'Arraggiunate". His voice is powerful, it moves and sometimes touches deeply, and highlighted by Sportiello's harmonies, it gains definitive value. Sportiello plays the part of an authentic creator of atmospheres and Gennarelli follows along.

Another very touching moment is definitely "Musica", a heartfelt and passionate act of love and devotion for the second art written by Duke Ellington, scored for the occasion by Giorgio Rosciglione, and in which Sportiello, with his delicate texture, also enjoys quoting "I'm a Fool to Want You". The liner notes are entrusted to Sportiello himself and his words titled "I Remember Napoli", artistic director of the Jazz Club of Ferrara Alessandro Mistri, who with his "Mixato non Shakerato" provides a suggestive parallelism between the album and the Martini Dry, and finally to writer Giuseppe Pederiali, who with his art of words, offers a panorama of a Ferrara by night, bringing Naples and Jazz through the streets of the Estense city.

An album to take lightly, and it will be a pleasant musical encounter.