I knew Frank Strazzeri could play tasty piano, but I didn't know he could play really tasty Fender Rhodes electric piano. Yesterday, I was listening to Taurus, an album Strazzeri recorded in January 1973 with Conte Candoli (tp), Frank Rosolino (tb), Don Menza (ts,fl), Gene Cherico (b) and Dick Berk (d).
Interestingly, Strazzeri's piano style—which was straightforward and simple—lent itself perfectly to the electric piano. All of the compositions are by Strazzeri. I suspect Strazzeri arranged the charts as well. The album was for Revelation Records, a label in Glendale, Calif. For those who find most fusion albums from this period overbearing, you'll love this one. Like a dry martini, there's just a touch of the electronic sound with straight-up jazz by some of West Coast jazz's giants.
JazzWax tracks: You'll find Taurus on Strazzatonic (Fresh Sound ), a two-CD set featuring three albums—Taurus, Frames and View From Within.
JazzWax clip: Here's View From Within from Taurus. Dig Strazzeri's engaging use of the Fender Rhodes and dig Frank Rosolino's trombone solo...
Interestingly, Strazzeri's piano style—which was straightforward and simple—lent itself perfectly to the electric piano. All of the compositions are by Strazzeri. I suspect Strazzeri arranged the charts as well. The album was for Revelation Records, a label in Glendale, Calif. For those who find most fusion albums from this period overbearing, you'll love this one. Like a dry martini, there's just a touch of the electronic sound with straight-up jazz by some of West Coast jazz's giants.
JazzWax tracks: You'll find Taurus on Strazzatonic (Fresh Sound ), a two-CD set featuring three albums—Taurus, Frames and View From Within.
JazzWax clip: Here's View From Within from Taurus. Dig Strazzeri's engaging use of the Fender Rhodes and dig Frank Rosolino's trombone solo...
This story appears courtesy of JazzWax by Marc Myers.
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