Don Grolnick
Nighttown

'Nighttown', The City At Night. It sounds like the title of an Antonioni film. Instead, it is the title of a CD by one of the most intelligent and underrated artists in the global jazz galaxy: Don Grolnick. Arranger and refined intellectual with overflowing yet very discreet talent. A lover of quality music without prejudice, to the point that he became the arranger and keyboardist for James Taylor for a long time, especially concerning live performances. Other beautiful albums by him include 'Hearts and Numbers', a hidden gem in the folds of world discography and 'Medianoche', delicate and Latin-flavored.

'Nighttown', recorded in '92, is an album of incredible beauty. The musicians chosen for the occasion give an idea of the esteem enjoyed by the recently deceased Don: are Randy Brecker (trumpet), Joe Lovano (sax), Steve Turre (trombone), Marty Herlich (bass clarinet), Dave Holland (double bass), Bill Stewart (drums) enough for you? In this album, we find seven tracks composed by the leader, plus a Cole Porter classic 'What Is This Thing Called Love', arranged for the occasion for this rampant yet cohesive, creative and brilliant septet, in homage to the most stringent Blue Note sixties standards! Incredibly, that's the atmosphere you breathe.

The pervasive atmosphere is fog, New York, black and white crime films, smoke, and whiskey. But with the advantage of an impeccable nineties recording. So much wonderful music played with class to spare; unisons and solos simply perfect. Sense of proportion and well-calibrated section work for the winds. Precise breaks and homeopathic traces of Lee Morgan, Davis, or more advanced like Steps Ahead, Bob Mintzer, and David Williams.

Tracks: 1) 'Heart of Darkness' 2) 'What Is This Thing Called Love' 3) 'One Bird, One Stone' 4) 'Nighttown' 5) 'Genie' 6) 'Spot That Man' 7) 'The Cost of Living' 8) 'Blues for Pop'. It doesn't seem necessary to describe in detail what happens in each piece; here we 'simply talk about jazz,' that is, the presentation of the theme, elaboration by a couple of soloists one at a time, reprise of the theme, the end. Simple, isn't it? Give it a try! As someone once said: "You don't learn to be a director by watching Fellini, Spielberg, or Kurosawa: they make their art seem simple-simple, like riding a bicycle. Instead, you learn by watching bad directors."

And so while waiting to learn, in the meantime, we listen to these incredible interpretations, pieces full of taste and a desire to make jazz. A lot of swing and energy that serves as a recharge for us. To tour The City At Night. And enjoy it. Nighttown: push the gas all the way down. Baby. : -) V.