Album Review: Wait A Moment – BBIT (Big Band Italia) - Universal Music Italia S.R.L.

Wait A Moment, from BBIT, i.e., Big Band Italia, presents seven fine selections performed by the finest jazz musicians in Italy and featuring world-class guest artists. It’s a high-octane musical Maserati, offering stellar ensemble playing, killer solos and outstanding arrangements.

Big Little Lies, composed by Pierluigi Villani, opens the session with tenor saxophonist Bob Franceschini launching the melody with a robust sound that reminds this listener of Ernie Watts. The initial four note motif dances and entwines its way throughout the ensemble. The tension builds in intensity and volume con il fuoco. Trumpeter Giovanni Falzone launches into a fiercely-played solo with superior rhythm section response. Note drummer Villani’s highly engaged responses to the soloist’s statements. This is a highly muscular track that seductively brings surprises every phrase with layers upon layers of phrases and the tenor sax wailing before things eventually simmer down to a more placid close. An extravagantly fascinating track

A musical cascade from the pen of Bruno Luise opens the title track, the funk-tinged Wait A Moment. However, there’s no waiting to hear the continued intensity here. Israeli-born guitarist, Oz Noy offers a perfectly utilized fuzz-tone effect solo over the rhythm section while the ensemble screams all through those exchanges. Gaetano Partipilo’s alto sax solo is presented in a unison octave electronically. That’s quite a slick touch. The contrapuntal layering from arranger Luise again steals the show. Things play out to a solid and very satisfying climax.

Children opens texturally with composer Michele Campobasso’s piano and Javier Girotto’s soprano sax before fine vocalist, Maria Pia Di Vito performs. This is somewhat of a darker presentation which she presents quite beautifully. Girotto’s solo sings and cries with complexity behind from the ensemble and rhythm section. It is an interesting cut.  

An unaccompanied brass fanfare opens JB. This rhythmically complex selection again offers layered sections intertwining in lavish display with both obvious and subtle aspects. Roberto Ottoviano’s lyrical soprano whirls and dances over the ferocious rhythm bed and the intense ensemble foundation. Guest artist, trumpeter Randy Brecker offers a killer solo, showing he still plays a great game. The trumpets and the Harmon-muted trumpet section (all overdubbed by the great Andrea Tofanelli) and swirling saxes further develop this to a sustained chord ending.  

Guitarist Pablo Montagne’s Aquarelles changes the album’s pace with a more sedate portrait. This is a slower, beautiful track that manifests its title – “aquarelle” is a watercolor painting technique with transparent colors. It’s a tone poem - music rainbow of sorts. Bassist Chris Minh Doki deliver a fine solo. Soprano saxophonist, Roberto Ottoviano gives a mellow ride. It’s a unique and standout contemporary track.

Things pick up with Luise’s Looking Ahead. It’s another driver with a high degree of modal and rhythmic mystery. There’s much developing and going on throughout. Things develop into a critical musical mass with drummer Villani and his rhythm mates driving. Trumpeter Brecker again shines bright. Umberto Muselli’s tenor spews extended lines at length. There is tasty set work here from Villani before thing escalate yet again. The orphaned piano line at the track’s conclusion is a dramatic and perfectly placed misterioso touch.  

Pianist Kenny Kirkland’s beautiful ballad composition (with lyrics by Sting), Dienda opens with guest David Kikoski’s piano stating the melody. The ensemble joins with brass shining and the saxophones responding in kind. Ada Rovatti delivers a phenomenally involved soprano saxophone ride before Carlito Del Puerto’s almost vocalized electric bass solo. Kikoski returns for further closing statements. An elegantly beautiful way to close the session.  

With Wait A Moment, The BBIT ensemble validates itself as one of the world’s finest jazz ensembles right up there with the best there are – Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, the WDR ensemble, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, et al. This is a unit that relishes and bathes in the intense. They hold nothing back across the entire album. Each ensemble section distinguishes itself both as a distinct component and as an integral part of the whole. The compositions are all superb platforms and the arrangements from Bruno Luise are deadly. Furthermore, the production values – recording and engineering - are outstanding. A truly brilliant recording. Nick Mondello

Collective Personnel: Pierluigi Villani (drums and co-producer); Bruno Luise (arranger and co-producer); Michele Campobasso (keys and piano); Pablo Montagne (guitar); Gianpiero Verdolino (electric bass); Gabriele Borrelli (percussion); Gianfranco Campagnoli (trumpet); Matteo Franza (trumpet), Antonio Fallacara (trumpet and flugelhorn); Pietro Latte (trumpet and flugelhorn); Antonio Baldino (trumpet); Luigi Paese (trumpet); Antonio Baldino (trumpet); Roberto Schiano (trombone); Massimo Morganti (trombone); Antonio Depalo (trombone); Nicola Ferro (trombone); Pierluigi Bastioli (bass trombone); Manuel Trabucco (alto saxophone); Luciano Bellico (alto saxophone); Francesco Lomangino (tenor saxophone); Marco Silvio Rossin (tenor saxophone); Rossano Emili (baritone saxophone); Gianni Bardaro (soprano saxophone); Sabrina Consoli (flute); Francesco Manfredi (clarinet); Rossano Emili (bass clarinet); Special Guests: Randy Brecker (trumpet); Ada Rovatti (soprano saxophone); Andrea Tofanelli (trumpet); Carlitos Del Puerto (electric bass); David Kikoski (piano); Oz Noy (guitar); Gaetano Partipilo (alto saxophone); Chris Minh Doky (double bass); Roberto Ottaviano (soprano saxophone); Giovanni Falzone (trumpet); Bob Franceschini (tenor saxophone); Jimmy Johnson (electric bass); Javier Girotto (soprano saxophone); Maria Pia De Vito (vocal); Luca Bulgarelli (double bass); Umberto Muselli (tenor saxophone).