Over the course of many centuries, the island of Sicily has inspired artists from around the world, most recently pianist Daniela Sch?chter—a Sicilian relocated to the States—whose new release I Colori Del Mare is comprised almost entirely of originals dedicated to her homeland's shoreline.

Sch?chter started her training in Italy and then continued in Boston, studying with Phil Wilson, Joe Lovano, Hal Crook and most significantly pianist Joanne Brackeen. She's since blossomed into a beautifully talented composer and pianist, with an important touch and a suave mature voice. Here she places emphasis on the dark blue sea as each composition's theme delves into the concept of waves. The instruments create different layers from within as if looking at the sea and at its ground-swell while imagining the complex life that occurs below. This life is proven to be various and energetic by the performances of Sch?chter's amazing ensemble: Davide Sch?chter (her guitar-playing brother), Alex Sipiagin (trumpet), Oleg Osenkov (bass), Gene Jackson (drums), Walter Smith III (tenor) and Tiger Okoshi (trumpet), who together create a smooth texture full of unique accents.

Even though the piano may be the main voice, there are no real leaders or followers, as all perfectly balance their contributions. As each enters, they explore freely while Sch?chter provides a warm embrace. Sometimes the music stops in an instant and the piano remains alone, like in "Sweet and Sour, a lyric poem for piano, with drops of notes slowly descending from Sch?chter's fingers.

The CD's notes state that dark blue is the color of the Mediterranean Sea at sunset: the way the tracks are presented places the listener in front of such waves to view that sunset.