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Jay D'Amico Explores Varied Musical Terrain on Tuscan Prelude

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Jay D'Amico
Pianist's First CD in Five Years Fuses Jazz and Classical Elements

Pianist Jay D'Amico, who made a strong impact on the jazz scene with the release of Ponte Novello in 2001, has returned to the inspirations of Italy on his new release, Tuscan Prelude, which has just been released. The CD, which has already begun to find friends at jazz radio, is a further exploration of D'Amico's unique fusion of jazz and classical influences, and features eleven original compositions that D'Amico penned during a visit to Italy.

The drive to become a pianist took hold when young D'Amico heard the music of Polish-born composer and pianist, Frederic Chopin, whose main inspiration was the melodies of the Italian opera. An early Oscar Peterson performance on television, during which his mother told him “This is jazz and they're making it up as they go along," also resonated strongly with the burgeoning young performer and composer.

“I studied both classical and jazz music, and I love them both," says D'Amico in explaining his style. “At this point in my career, it feels right to combine them in one recording because I feel I've got a strong enough grounding in both to allow my own style to emerge."

Joining D'Amico on Tuscan Prelude are bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Ronnie Zito. D'Amico says that the music on Tuscan Prelude called for a bassist who could execute difficult passages with a bow, and “Marc was just amazing with that." Zito, whom D'Amico first met when he was pianist in residence at New York's Windows on the World, also collaborated with D'Amico on Ponte Novello. Bassist Greg D'Amico (the pianist's brother) and drummer Vinnie Favata appear on the CD's final track, “Aria in D."

Given the seamless performance that the trio offers on Tuscan Prelude, it's remarkable to learn that they barely rehearsed before joining forces in the studio. “I like having that edge, that freshness," says D'Amico. “What you're hearing is basically a live recording."

Among the other musicians whose influences D'Amico cites as influential are bassist and lifelong friend Milt “the Judge" Hinton and jazz pianist and teacher Mike Longo, an arranger associated with Dizzy Gillespie.

D'Amico made his recording debut in 1982, with the release of Envisage, featuring Milt Hinton and Bob Rosengarden (which was re-released on CD in 2003.) In 1990, he released From the Top, a solo recording that evolved from his long time residency at Windows on the World, followed by Ponte Novello in 2001. He also appears on Hinton's The Judge's Decision (1985,) both as pianist and co-composer with his brother, Greg.

An October concert is planned in New York to celebrate the CD's release. Visit jaydamico.comfor additional information.









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