LARRY FRANCO piano & voice MICHELE CARRABBA tenor sax ILARIO DE MARINIS acoustic bass ENZO LANZO drums - Special Guests: Eddy Olivieri (piano) on tracks 4 and 12 - Mino Lacirignola (trumpet) on track 9
credits
released February 26, 2023
LARRY FRANCO, IMPORT-EXPORT, PHILOLOGY 607 from CADENCE MAGAZINE - NEW YORK
Stretch back, with your hands propped behind your head as though you are laid out on a magic carpet. You're about to ride backwards through time. This CD will drop you off in the 1930's, during the Swing Era. But wait! We are no longer in America. Instead we are somewhere in Europe. When the singing begins, I recognize we'are in Italy. It becomes apparent on the very first song, "I'm Beginning To See the Light". It's performed with great joie de vivre and an urgency that resonates in the voice of Larry Franco, who also plays piano. Franco scats happily along with Michele Carrabba's saxophone. Listen carefully, because this is the only time you will hear the melody of this Ellington composition. Once the Italian lyrics begin, the melody is no longer familiar to me. It has become a song called "Maramao Perchè Sei Morto?". I think the composer (Ellington) might have been surprised at how smoothly this transition works, moving from his standard song to an Italian composition by Panzeri and Consiglio. This first medley of songs establishes the premise of Franco's recording. It is aptly called "Import-Export", meaning they are importing American Jazz music and exporting Italian music. This gives both musical cultures the value they deserve by combining compositions. Franco gives a tender piano introduction and then "Besame Mucho" arrives. This Lating standard becomes a complementary medley with the italian composition "Estate" (which translates to "Summer"). Franco does an outstanding job singing this beautiful ballad. When Michele Carrabba takes his saxophone sole, he adds gusto and exuberance to the song. Carrabba is soulful and seductive! "They Say It's Wonderful" swings along at a brisk pace, just right for a jitterbug. Franco's piano solo is pristine and tasty. Once again, they combine songs, making a fluid medley that includes "La Più Bella del Mondo". We are whisked away on a cloud of drum licks and sweet, melodic drama. Franco sings without reservation on this number, letting all his emotions stand naked and center stage. Ellington's famous composition, "It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing" becomes an introduction for "In Cerca di Te" and feature Edy Olivieri on piano. He adds fullness to the track with delighful accompaniment and inventive inversions. "My Romance" swings like a perfectly primed pendulum, with Franco singing "Barba Capelli e Baffi", almost duplicating the phrasing and style of Tony Bennett. Switching the concept around, the next cut is an Italian compostition ("Parlami d'Amore Mariu") then moves smoothly into "I've Got You Under My Skin". It works! This time, the talented vocalist does an excellent job of singing Cole Porter's tune with tenderness and in English. You can hear traces of Sinatra's unique phrasing in this presentation. Franco uses Count Basie's signature sound in the last three piano chords. All in all, this is a delightful combination of musical cultures. I admire the high energy performance by these musicians. They play with great passion. On "Bye Bye Blackbird" (combined with "Roma Nun Fa La Stupida Stasera") Enzo Lanzo is dynamic on drums and Ilario De Marinis is solid on his double bass. I particularly enjoyed his rhythmic walking bass and solo on "Undecided". Mino Lacirignola adds zest to the Clifford Brown tribute song written by Benny Golson, "I Remember Clifford". Like "Taps" he starts out solo. Immediately, his beautiful tone snatches the listener's attention.
This is a unique and creative production. It celebrates Jazz from one continent to another, blending cultures and resonating Italian passion. Bravo!
Dee Dee McNeil - Cadence Magazine - New York January 2007
INTERNATIONAL VENUES : Java Jazz International Jakarta 2007 - IX Settimana della Cultura Avana (Cuba)2006, 2007, International Festival du Film Marrakech (Morocco), Yokohama Jazz Promenade (Japan), Manly International Jazz Festival (Australia), Melbourne Italian Jazz Festival (Australia), Kyneton Jazz Festival (Australia) Philips Dubai International Jazz Festival - Abu Dhabi International Jazz festival (Arab Emirates) , Europafest Arcub Theater and "Muzeul National De Arta al Romaniei Auditorium" Bucarest (Romania), European Jazz Festival Izmir (Turkey), Terni In Jazz Fest, Ischia Jazz Festival by Umbria Jazz, Orvieto Winter Jazz, Verona Jazz, Pugljazz Trani, Rimini Jazz Festival (Italy), Kala Ghoda Art Festival Mumbai and Kamani Auditorium New Delhi (India), Megaro Mousikis Athens, Mylos Thessaloniki (Greece), Quadrieme Art Theater Tunisi (Tunisia), Mohamed V Theater Rabat (Morocco), Auditorium of Middlebury College Vermont (U.S.A), Hong Kong Country Club.
Larry Franco (piano and voice) Best Jazz Singer by Italian Jazz Awards 2008 - teacher of Jazz Singing by Conservatory
G.Paisiello in Taranto (Italy) - 20 Cds on his name and Live Tour all over the world for Internationale Jazz Festivals, Embassies, Consulates, Italian Institutes of Culture. The Major Projects: Nat King Cole trio - Import-Export Project - Si Dice Swing - Unforgettable Natalie & Nat...more
The Arkadia Jazz All-Stars deliver a low-lit, elegant take on Duke Ellington classics, each note delivered with tenderness and grace. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 19, 2022
