Aldo Romano was born in Italy and moved to France at an early age with his family. When he first heard Donald Byrd’s band with Arthur Taylor, he was already playing drums and guitar professionally in Paris. He has devoted himself to contemporary jazz and drumming since then. Romano has been a frequent guest at Paris jazz clubs such as the Cameleon and le Chat Qui Peche. He also accompanied J.J. Johnson and Jackie McLean. Romano’s insatiable curiosity about all forms of music led him to electric jazz in the 1970s. He played at the Riverbop alongside Jean-Francois Jenny-Clark and Francois Jeanneau. Henri Texier and Charlie Mariano were also present. He released his first album with Claude Barthelemy in 1978 (Il Piacere OWL), which was followed by 1980’s Night Diary, with Didier Lockwood, Jasper Van’t Ho, and 1983’s Alma Latina, with Philip Catherine. Romano introduced Michel Petrucciani, the pianist, to Owl Records in 1980. With the founding of his Italian Quartet, Paolo Fresu and Franco D’Andrea, Romano’s Italian roots are still cherished. The quartet recorded To Be Ornette to Be, Water Dreams (Owl), and Non Dimenticar (Verve), a collection Italian songs. Palatino, named after the Rome-Paris night train, also features Fresu and Glen Ferris on trombone. Intervista (Verve 2001) — featuring Palle Danielsson as bassist, saxophonist Stefano di Battista as well as Nelson Veras as Brazilian guitarist — is a stunningly performed overview of his musical career. It features Ornette Coleman-ish songs and Latin-American compositions. A bonus CD includes a charming interview. Allmusic
