Steve Grossman – Jazz A Confronto 23 [1975]

There's no need to talk to understand each other: a gesture, a look, a smile is enough. Steve Grossman and Irio De Paula, as often happens in the jazz world, communicated with music, and the great feeling of getting to know each other, of finding things in common, filled them with joy. The idea of making this record aroused from the desire and the pleasure of playing together, on the base of true friendship and honesty. The meeting was particularly meaningful for Steve Grossman, a young but experienced soloist who has already had good training in Miles Davis and Elvin Jones' groups. Steve is very fond of South-American music, and playing with Irio's trio was like a reward after a difficult and troubled career; he chose to be a jazzman because jazz is the only form of expression that is convenient to him, and he stubbornly continues to follow the same track, even if because of his sensitive nature and helpless personality, living with tough jazz people is often hard for him. Aside from humanistic consideration, this record is an admirable example of one of the most typical aspects of today's Afro-american music, that is, of the synthesis of two different cultures. None of the performers taking part in this recording has given up any of his style's peculiarities; the synthesis, however, was totally spontaneous, and there was no need for a compromise. Grossman's post-coltranian way of expression seems to recover all of his sharpness and strength, blending in with Irio's warm Brazilian guitar. In this respect, those improvisations that are the closest to Brazilian vitality, such as "Maracanà" and "So Brasa", ought to be mentioned. Of course the results wouldn't be as positive without Alessio Urso and Afonso Vieira's contribution. Both Latin (though one is European, and the other is American), these two musicians, together with Steve Grossman, are something more than background drums. Alessio's support allows Afonso to weave an intense and colorful percussion plot. Steve left Italy wishing and hoping that this exciting meeting with Irio De Paula's trio would be the first of many. Giuseppe Piacentino Credits: https://www.discogs.com/it/Steve-Gros... 00:00 - 07:52 Piazza Di Spagna 07:52 - 14:56 Maracanà 14:56 - 21:20 Scala Dei Turchi 21:20 - 27:11 Moon Dance 27:11 - 33:18 So Brasa 33:18 - 44:31 Libra Rising