Album Review: Midtown Walk from Francesco Amenta

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Album:  Midtown Walk
Artist:  Francesco Amenta
Label:  Amenta Music International
Website:  https://francescoamentajazzlab.weebly.com

Saxophonist-composer Francesco Amenta's arrangements are like individual pages from his diary that he puts to music on his latest offering Midtown Walk.  His second endeavor as a leader, Midtown Walk consists of impressions he has gathered and experiences he has encountered while living in the US, which he migrated to in 2017 from his native Italy.  Mostly comprised of original tunes penned by Amenta, his offering additionally has one cover tune of Duke Ellington's iconic "Come Sunday."

The lush flourishes he pens on the saxophone fill up the melodic chambers of "Home" as well as direct the course of the score.  The creamy, smooth texture and elegant glide in his playing is reminiscent of saxophonist Andrew Neu.  Joined by pianist Cyrus Chestnut whose lyrical musings along "Bunch of Time" embed shimmery sprigs across the track, Amenta's craftsmanship is geared towards a smooth jazz luster with shards of improvisation and swing in the mix.

The swinging vibe of "Number 9" has Amenta's sax bouncing and blazing while the rhythm section of Chestnut on keys, Kimon Karoutzos on bass, and Gary Kerkezou on drums put springs in his voyage.  Amenta captures the mood of the moment, clamping wide open sails on "Travelers" and a frolicking pulse through "Burgnndy."  It's a lively piece that segues into the gentle phrasing of Amenta's reimagination of "Come Sunday," driven by Chestnut's keys and drifting into Amenta's reflective musings.  The prayer-like sonorous of the track compels the listener's attention.

Produced by Grammy winning bass player John Lee, Amenta straddles the line between traditional idioms and contemporary stylizing.  The quartet's synchronicity is pristine, enhancing Amenta's journal entries put to music.

Musicians:
Francesco Amenta - tenor saxophone
Cyrus Chestnut - piano
Kimon Karoutzos - bass
Gary Kerkezou - drums

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