Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Letizia Gambi: Blue Monday

Letizia Gambi: Blue Monday

By James Nadal
March 20, 2016
View read count

As the world continues to shrink—musically speaking of course—the melding of American jazz with Mediterranean melody is another spin cycle that makes appreciation of this evolving art form so interesting. With high expectations, Neapolitan vocalist

LETIZIA GAMBI

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">LETIZIA GAMBI, which hails from a theatrical family, and has extensive jazz education, releases Blue Monday, an exuberant and ambitious production that takes jazz on a romantic Italian holiday.

After a collaboration with drummer extraordinaire

Lenny White

drums
b.1949

" data-original-title="" title="">Lenny White in 2009 led to "Introducing Letizia Gambi," (2012 Jando Music), White returns to the producers' chair for this project, with premier jazz players called in for good measure. Leading the list is virtuosic bassist

Ron Carter

bass
b.1937

" data-original-title="" title="">Ron Carter, who needs no introduction, and adds a hefty weight of credibility and affluence. Alternating on bass duties is

John Benitez

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">John Benitez, and

Helen Sung

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Helen Sung is the principal pianist.

The set opens with a dramatic flair on "Sweet Georgia Brown/Dig," where Gambi starts and ends with Neapolitan chanting, adding a festive zest to the piece. Pianist

Donald Vega

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Donald Vega and guitarist

Dave Stryker

guitar
b.1957

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Stryker join Ron Carter on "True Love, Remember Me," a mainstream tune by

Joe Henderson

saxophone
1937 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Henderson which White and Gambi embellished with lyrics. Carter is back to anchor the melancholy ballad "Without You/Senz'e Te," and the Gershwin standard "But Not For Me."

The album hinges upon "Blue Monday," an original composition, and opulent interpretation of Mediterranean jazz, dripping with romantic insinuations, which Gambi delivers with genuine sultriness. Having John Benitez on this track was a wise move, as he provides the authentic touch required. Amy Winehouse is given recognition on "Back To Black," reworked as a lovers lamentation, in a tango configuration. In keeping with a tango groove, "Skin To Skin," is highlighted by the acoustic guitar of Tom Guarna, with a soft accordion background provided by

Gil Goldstein

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Gil Goldstein.

Gambi's dominant heritage rises up in "You'll Say Tomorrow," an English translation of "Perch�� Domani," an Italian classic, and on "Sulo P�� Parla," where she is accompanied by the solo guitar of Nick Moroch. "Perch�� Domani," is reprised, only this time with its' original Italian lyrics, for an appropriate closure to a most intriguing repertoire.

Letizia Gambi, since she was a child, has been in a state of perpetual preparation as a singer. And as many before her, was attracted to American music, specifically jazz, as her talent began to blossom. Amore, in all its manifestations, has been an Italian mainstay forever, and an obvious natural setting for Gambi. Procuring and securing, such capable accompanists, is a testament to her artistic skills, as well as her tenacity. The fusion of Italian and American cultures is certainly not new, but with Blue Monday, the curious conception of Neapolitan jazz makes for cultivated listening.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Sweet Georgia Brown/Dig; True Love Remember Me; Without You/Senz��e Te; Que Sera Sera; Under the Moon; But Not For Me; Blue Monday; back To Black; You��ll Say Tomorrow/Perch�� Domani; When You Were Here; Skin To Skin; Suo Pe�� Parla; Perch�� Domani.

Personnel

LETIZIA GAMBI

vocals

Lenny White

drums

Ron Carter

bass

Helen Sung

piano

Donald Vega

piano

John Benitez

bass

Dave Stryker

guitar

Gil Goldstein

piano

Jisoo Ok

cello

Tom Guarna

guitar, electric

Nick Moroch

Hailey Niswanger

saxophone, alto

Hector Del Curto

bandoneon

: Letizia Gambi: vocals; Lenny White: drums; Helen sung: piano (1, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13); John Benitez: bass (1, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10); Andrea Valentini: bass drum (1); Dave Stryker: guitar (2); Donald Vega: piano (2, 3, 6); Ron Carter: bass (2, 3, 6); Tom Guarna: guitar (4, 11); Gil Goldstein: accordion (4, 5, 11) piano (11); Pete Levin: keyboards (4); Hailey Niswanger: saxophone (4); Daryl Johns: bass (4, 11); Sam Williams: backing vocals (7); Nick Moroch: AC Guitar (7, 10, 12); Josoo Ok: cello (7, 8, 9, 10, 13); Hector Del Curto: bandoneon (8).

Album information

Title: Blue Monday | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: RP Production

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Gin Fizz Fandango
< Previous

Spring Feelings
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.