It is testament to Italian born saxophonist Salvo Losappio’s dynamic skills as tuneful bebop and swing composer that the original songs on his deeply soulful yet joyfully frenetic debut album Long Story Short fit in cozily among his veteran quartet’s fresh interpretations of classics by several jazz legends.
These include Charlie Parker (the freewheeling opener “Shaw ‘Nuff”), Duke Ellington (a dreamy stroll through “Sophisticated Lady” showcasing the breathy lower range of Losappio’s tenor), Al Jolson (a frisky “Avalon”) and Lester Young (the sensually cool “A Ghost of a Chance”). Losappio’s “Boerum Hill” is brisk, spirited fun, showcasing his dynamic sense of improvisation, along with the rich percussive excitement of drummer Phil Stewart and wild ivory imaginings of pianist Sacha Perry.
The saxman’s other original offers all those elements and more, albeit at a mid-tempo pace, with bassist Art Rowland diving into a melodic solo with some intensely creative bowing. Long Story Short, this is a dazzling powerhouse of a debut!