Renato Sellani Trio - Per Giovanni D'Anzi

All Music Guide

This is one in a series of recordings by pianist Renato Sellani of songbooks dedicated to individual Italian composers. Joined by bassist Massimo Moriconi and drummer Massimo Manzi, the trio explores 13 songs by the prolific Giovanni D'Anzi, who was especially popular during the late '30s. "Finestre Chiuse" is a playful waltz that has an underlying somber tone. The emotional impact of Sellani's solo interpretation of "Sogno" is never in question. Three alternate takes feature trumpeter Enrico Rava and Sellani as a duo, all of which were initially recorded for an earlier release. While the music of D'Anzi will be unfamiliar to most jazz fans (in fact, Italians born after World War II are hardly aware of his vast works), Sellani's thoughtful arrangements and always enjoyable playing make this Philology CD worth purchasing.

- Ken Dryden, All Music Guide