Originally conceived by tour director Nico Scotti, Opus Trio features Ralph Moore, hailing from Brixton, on tenor saxophone (Horace Silver, Roy Haynes, Darrel Grant, Freddie Hubbard, Gene Harris), New York-based drummer Anthony Pinciotti (Pat Metheny, Hush Point, Jeremy Steig, Randy Brecker, Gary Bartz), and bassist Giuseppe Bassi, hailing from Puglia and aptly named (Schema Quartet, La Banda degli Ornesti, Street Jazz Unit).
This trio takes us on a journey into jazz that evokes the atmosphere of New York jazz clubs, with warm compositions and a bass as round as a koala, making you want to dance between sips of whisky, with Ralph Moore on saxophone shining brighter than ever, drummer Anthony Pinciotti, whose playing is always incredibly precise and of high quality, and the discovery for me of this genius bassist, Giuseppe Bassi, who is inventive, surprising, and perfectly integrated into this remarkable trio.
Specifically created for an Italian tour scheduled for November 2022, it was during the rehearsals for these concerts that the band members knew something special was happening, and the idea for the “In Studio” sessions and album was born. The tracks showcase the depth and breadth of the album’s musicians’ talent, with four original compositions by Giuseppe Bassi, two by Ralph Moore, as well as superb reinterpretations of Roy Ayers’ “Fire Weaver” and Lee Morgan’s “Ceora.” The album “In Studio” is set to be released on June 9th and is truly a must-have for your jazz collection. Opus Trio “In Studio” AMC03.
“In Studio” could have been called “In Club” as the live sensation is ever-present on this album. The musicians seem completely liberated from all rules and immerse themselves fully in these masterful compositions. Undoubtedly, the excellence of A.M.A’s album mixing also contributes to the sublimation of the sounds and the overall realization, which perfectly serves this incredible trio. One can dive into this album without being a jazz fan and derive genuine pleasure, as the energy of these musicians is infectious.
It is also appreciated that all the tracks on this album are original compositions since, too often lately, artists include tracks by other artists in their creations. Creating is not easy, and assuming one’s creation is even more challenging, but when one reaches such a level of mastery in their art, it demands respect.