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Nick Mazzarella Trio: Aviary

By Mark Corroto
February 17, 2011
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Saxophonist Nick Mazzarella keeps things neat and succinct on this shortish (30 minute) introductory release. Although compact, this release is quite loquacious and, perhaps, a presage of great things to come.

All six compositions were penned by Mazzarella, and harken back to the early 1960s, and the rise of

Ornette Coleman

saxophone, alto
1930 - 2015

" data-original-title="" title="">Ornette Coleman and

Eric Dolphy

woodwinds
1928 - 1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Eric Dolphy. Mazzarella, a twenty-something DePaul University graduate and Chicago resident, is a member of Green And Gold, a band dedicated to Ornette's early offsprings,

Sonny Simmons

saxophone, alto
1933 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Sonny Simmons and

Prince Lasha

flute
1929 - 2008

" data-original-title="" title="">Prince Lasha. That early-Coleman/Simmons/Lasha sound is also heard here.

Together with bassist

Anton Hatwich

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Anton Hatwich (a member of

Josh Berman

cornet

" data-original-title="" title="">Josh Berman's Old Idea,

Aram Shelton

saxophone
b.1976

" data-original-title="" title="">Aram Shelton, and the Rempis Percussion Quartet) and drummer

Frank Rosaly

drums
b.1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Rosaly (also featured with

Jeb Bishop

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Jeb Bishop Trio,

Scorch Trio

" data-original-title="" title="">Scorch Trio, and

Jason Adasiewicz

vibraphone

" data-original-title="" title="">Jason Adasiewicz's Rolldown), Mazzarella maneuvers these chordless tracks with uncomplicated ease. His alto pokes and jabs through "Eternal Return," fluttering notes over Rosaly's brush work while harmonizing with Hatwich's bass. This unpretentious and primal search for melody, perhaps scandalous 50 years ago, is renewed here. Mazzarella rekindles the child's song as building block for the new thing on "Pescador." The playful dance the trio summons displays how infectious and danceable the avant-garde once was. Same for the slippery "Aviary," with Hatwich mimicking the glassy slope with an all-in solo that dances along with the saxophonist.

An auspicious debut, this saxophonist promises great things in the future.

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Track Listing

1. Quarentine; 2. Pistachio (for my bird); 3. Eternal Return; 4. Pescador; 5. Free Dance; 6. Aviary.

Personnel

Nick Mazzarella

saxophone, alto

Nick Mazzarella �C alto saxophone; Anton Hatwich �C bass; Frank Rosaly �C drums.

Album information

Title: Aviary | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Self Produced

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