Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Andrea Longato: Thinking Heart

Andrea Longato: Thinking Heart

By Dan McClenaghan
February 6, 2025
View read count

First impressions of music—putting streaming aside—can come at you from the cover art. Guitarist Andrea Longato's debut release, Thinking Heart features a pair of rhinoceros standing side-by-side, mirror images inside a plain wash of olive green. Who would create cover art like that? And why?

But the why does not matter. The image is a bit strange but beautiful and compelling, and it evokes the "What kind of music have we got here?"? Good. The first impression has done its job.

Longato and his trio mates make the music:

Bryan Percivall

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Bryan Percivall on bass and

Rob Heath

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Rob Heath holding down the drummer's chair. The guitar trio, like the piano trio, is a tried-and-true art form, a path that the best—

Wes Montgomery

guitar
1923 - 1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Wes Montgomery,

Bill Frisell

guitar, electric
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Frisell and

John Scofield

guitar
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">John Scofield and so many more have trod upon. Longatos's trio, in the laying down of his creative originals, displays a crystal-clear vision in a cohesive, meditative set that highlights the leader's versatility while maintaining a laid-back mood.

On the evidence of Thinking Heart, Longato could fit into an array of genres: Americana, rock, country, contemporary jazz, ambient, classical, and post-rock. He moves back and forth between modes with a spare and understated personal style, making a clean, clear statement from start to finish, despite the different influences he brings to the table? He could have played in

Merle Haggard

" data-original-title="" title="">Merle Haggard's band, traded licks with Carl Perkins or rubbed elbows with

Daniel Lanois

guitar
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">Daniel Lanois,

"Daisies" opens the show of Longato originals. It is an ambient wash that sounds like a sunrise. Then a groove emerges. On an initial listen the impression of simplicity raises its head. But the simplicity has subtle interweavings; unexpected chords come around and bits of guitar-in-front-solos shine with a deceptive complexity. Longato is not about hitting you over the head; he is more about enticing you with an understated eloquence.

Throughout the composed segments dance with improvisation in the most simpatico of ways. Longato's trio mates are master accompanists— assertive while serving the music at times, at others slipping into the background to whisper behind the leader's guitar.

This work was created by Longato without a publicist, agent or record company. He produced it, mixed it and mastered it. As the 21st century moves along, this is increasingly how artists present their work. There is freedom in this approach. With Thinking Heart Longato took advantage of the freedom to craft a captivating personal statement.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Daisies; Sure Thing; Mona Lisa Kite; Wishlist; Scattered; Chief.

Personnel

Andrea Longato

guitar

Rob Heath

drums

Bryan Percivall

bass

Additional Instrumentation

Andrea Longato: producer, mixing engineer, mastering engineer, assistant engineer; Rob Heath: recording engineer

Album information

Title: Thinking Heart | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: Self Produced

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Dare to Hope
< Previous

Meet Marina Albero
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.