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Antonio Farao: Tributes

By Neil Duggan
June 19, 2024
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There is an old saying that you should judge a person by the company that they keep. If that is true of musicians, then Italian pianist

Antonio Farao

piano
b.1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Antonio Farao is highly regarded. For his sixth trio outing, he is joined by bassist

John Patitucci

bass
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">John Patitucci, who achieved worldwide acclaim for his work with Chick Corea's Elektric Band and Akoustic Band. He has also appeared on albums with

Wayne Shorter

saxophone
1933 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Wayne Shorter,

Herbie Hancock

piano
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Hancock and

Michael Brecker

saxophone, tenor
1949 - 2007

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Brecker. To complete the dream trio, Fara�� adds drummer

Jeff Ballard

drums
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Jeff Ballard, another artist whose past and present associations with

Pat Metheny

guitar
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Pat Metheny,

Brad Mehldau

piano
b.1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Brad Mehldau and

" data-original-title="" title="">Kurt Rosenwinkel start to look like a who's who of jazz.

Fara�� has spent less time in the limelight but is a highly accomplished and inventive pianist. He has made several recordings as leader in a variety of formats, clocking up performances with

Dave Liebman

saxophone
b.1946

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Liebman,

Gary Bartz

saxophone, alto
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Gary Bartz,

Christian McBride

bass
b.1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Christian McBride and

Manu Katche

drums
b.1958

" data-original-title="" title="">Manu Katche. Those previous experiences and recordings are important as background, as Tributes involves Fara�� addressing the styles of some of his greatest piano influences, especially

Michel Petrucciani

piano
1962 - 1999

" data-original-title="" title="">Michel Petrucciani,

Chick Corea

piano
1941 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Chick Corea,

Herbie Hancock

piano
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Hancock and

McCoy Tyner

piano
1938 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">McCoy Tyner. This is no mere copy or impersonation of the work of others; Fara�� absorbs a style and uses that as a catalyst to drive his own melodic and on-the-spot invention.

For this session, Fara�� provides Patitucci and Ballard with eight compositions and two covers as the basis for the trio to cut loose for over an hour with some marvellous improvisation. The album begins with the title track, with the trio immediately fluid in a melody reminiscent of Corea. Fara��'s fleet improvisation and cohesive playing set the tone for much of what follows. Patitucci and Ballard make their interventions driving a terrific opener. Corea is also an influence on "Right One," with Fara�� embellishing the light melody with some Corea-like cascading runs, along with endless invention from Ballard and another fine solo from Patitucci. The final nod to Corea is a cover of his composition, "Matrix." Ballard and Patitucci had both played this with Corea and Fara�� acquits himself eloquently.

Fara��'s version of

Cole Porter

composer / conductor
1891 - 1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Cole Porter's "I Love You" swings, inspired by an arrangement from Herbie Hancock. It also forms the basis for a long, flowing piano improvisation. Fara�� channels his inner McCoy Tyner on "MT." Patitucci and Ballard expertly manoeuvre the track. "Memories of Calvi" is a Brazilian-flavoured delight. Fara�� glides in top form, inspired by Michel Petrucciani. The ballad "Tender" may well be the standout track. A listener may find themselves initially drawn in by Fara��'s warm and gentle touch and then swept along by Patitucci's bass solo before the pace builds gradually to a bluesy finish. At the time of writing, there is no YouTube available of this trio, but the clip of "Syrian Children," with bassist

Ira Coleman

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Ira Coleman and drummer

Mike Baker

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Baker accompanying Fara��, provides an example.

As one might expect, Patitucci and Ballard are tremendous throughout, using their extensive jazz vocabularies to stretch out and provide an ideal rhythmic environment for Fara�� to explore. Fara��'s playing takes his post-bop influences and extends into a range of textures and moods, with unpredictable progressions sitting alongside open and lucid expressions. His improvisations have conviction; they are quick, fluent and energised making this an enjoyable and entertaining trio session.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Tributes; Right One; Shock; I Love You; Tender; MT; Memories of Calvi; Syrian Children; A Song For Shorter; Matrix.

Personnel

Antonio Farao

piano

John Patitucci

bass

Jeff Ballard

drums

Album information

Title: Tributes | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Criss Cross

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