Cordoba Reunion

The young Cordobeses Di Giusto and Girotto, Buschini, Garay, and Buschini were celebrating the achievements of Mario Kempes, another country’s child, who was making Argentina the World Cup winner in 1978. This was a break during the worst period of political repression. A few years later, the Cordoba children were able to leave their homeland. Destination: USA, Europe, France, Italy, for Minino Garay the percussionist, and Italy for Javier Girotto the saxophonist. He has had many collaborations with musicians such as Roberto Gatto and Enrico Rava that have made his career rich. As the leader of Aires Tangos, he is now the most well-known Argentinian musician in Italy. A demonstration of a composition that combines jazz harmonies with traditional music from Cordoba Region (ie. Chacareras) is possible when Carlos Buschini and Gerardo Di Guiusto meet. Particularly impressive in this context are the improvisations and lyricism of Javier Girotto. He is a true successor to the great Gato Barbieri, and the refined, yet relaxed mastering of Di Guisto. This unique repertoire was shared by Buschini, Di Giusto, and Girotto. It is performed with intense emotion and some references to melodies such as Carnavalito. Also, it has an expressive sense for thematic construction. This is a very good record featuring Mercedes Sosa on one title and paying a loving tribute to the Mothers at the Plaza de Mayo, the “Danza de las Madres”. Francisco Cruz (from French) –Jazzman These four Cordoba Reunion Argentinian musicians, who are rich in musical experience and hail from the same Cordoba region, created this quartet of jazz musicians in 1999. Their first album, Argentina Jazz » was born from the magic of their meeting and the assistance of the Swiss Italian Radio ». This is a highly up-to-date, sharp-cut jazz album that features moments of grace and restrained delicacy as well as the passionate expression of passions deeply imprinted with melancoly. This is a typical Argentinian atmosphere, even though it doesn’t relate to Tango. Javier Girotto, an alto saxophonist, occasionally uses incredibly declamatory and gasping phrasing which reminds us of Gato Barbieri. Gerardo Di Giusto’s subtle recall of Carnavalito » from the title Ya Esta » seems to be a tribute to the Fenix period’s tenor. The rich pianismo of Gerardo di Giusto is also reminiscent of McCoy Tyner’s exotism in the title Sahara » on the album Atlantis ». The interpretation is made even more intimate by Carlos Buschini’s compositions and Javier Girotto’s title Marcari ». The third title, La Oncena, features Mercedes Sosa’s guttural, direct voice. This is aided by the guitar’s unique and thin color. [from Italian] –Muscia Jazz

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