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Alberto Braida: Cats In The Kitchen

By Mark Corroto
November 11, 2021
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Cats In The Kitchen by the trio of

Alberto Braida

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Alberto Braida,

Silvia Bolognesi

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Silvia Bolognesi, and

" data-original-title="" title="">Cristiano Calcagnile is the embodiment of la sprezzatura, an Italian expression that has no equivalent in English but roughly translates as doing something extremely well without showing that it took any effort. The nine compositions penned by Braida, an accomplished pianist whose recent releases include From Here From There (We Insist! Records, 2021), a bewitching duo with

Giancarlo Nino Locatelli

clarinet

" data-original-title="" title="">Giancarlo Nino Locatelli, were inspired by a drawing his young daughter made. Like the simple artwork, these compositions are childlike and wide-eyed. But to paraphrase the Old Testament, "from the mouth of babes, comes strength and wisdom."

Silvia Bolognesi has performed with

Art Ensemble Of Chicago

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">Art Ensemble Of Chicago,

Lawrence "Butch" Morris

cornet
1947 - 2013

" data-original-title="" title="">Lawrence "Butch" Morris, in Hear In Now with

Tomeka Reid

cello

" data-original-title="" title="">Tomeka Reid and

Mazz Swift

violin

" data-original-title="" title="">Mazz Swift, and with every significant Italian jazz artist. Cristiano Calcagnile with (

Anthony Braxton

woodwinds
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Anthony Braxton, Multikulti Ensemble, Trio Pipeline and

Rob Mazurek

trumpet
b.1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Rob Mazurek).

Circling back to that sprezzatura feeling is simpleness. This music is comparable to the ingenuous compositions of

Thelonious Monk

piano
1917 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Thelonious Monk, evident from the opener "Hiking" and "Dedalus," which conceal erudition in an outward absence of complication. Braida, like Monk, utilizes notes sparingly, but those chosen complete his concepts. Within that concept, Braida conjures the music of

Bill Evans

piano
1929 - 1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Evans with

Olivier Proust

" data-original-title="" title="">Olivier Proust and "Un Po In Certo" (A Little Sure). Think "A Waltz For Debby" and you have an inkling of the uncomplicated elegance of these pieces. Like Evans' trio, Braida has two expressive and eloquent bandmates. Bolognesi's bass sings throughout and Calcagnile's drums (check his solo on "La Giostra") accent without overwhelming the affair. One more pianist comes to mind here. You might mistake "Cane e Gatto" for a piece by

Herbie Nichols

piano
1919 - 1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Nichols with it's joyous jocundity. In other words, childlike wisdom.

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Track Listing

Hiking; Proust; La Giostra; Cane e Gatto; Cerchio; Dedalus; Campanile; Un Po In Certo; Marcia.

Personnel

Alberto Braida

piano

Silvia Bolognesi

bass, acoustic

Cristiano Calcagnile

drums

Album information

Title: Cats In The Kitchen | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: We Insist! Records

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