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The Frank Giasullo Quartet Releases "Kensal Road"

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During its recent tour of the UK, The Frank Giasullo Quartet took a day to record six new powerful and moving Giasullo compositions and his one must-hear arrangement of the traditional “House of the Rising Sun." The straight ahead jazz set, strongly influenced by Giasullo's classical training, are as lush and elegant as anything he has previously written, but more introspective and tinged with nostalgia, as the titles “Looking Back," and “From A Hilltop" indicate.

Pianist, composer, arranger, and educator Giasullo is joined by Art Themen, voted best tenor sax by the British Jazz Awards, young Philly bassist Nicholas Krolak and groove master Pat Tamminen on drums. “The rhythm section gives me the groove that I want with Pat ever so subtle on drums," says Giasullo.

Themen is as daring and dazzling as a Formula driver at Monte Carlo, counterpoint to the upholstered chauffeur ride that is Giasullo at the piano.

“Dirge," the first track on the CD, is neither slow nor mournful, but is perhaps a eulogy in memory of the now buried past. “Kronos" named for the leader of the Titans in Greek mythology, is fast paced, a showcase for both Themen's playful sax and Giasullo's piano virtuosity. “Near Miss" is a swinging toe-tapper.

“The House of the Rising Sun," with a haunting bass solo by Krolak, is a remake of the classic folk ballad. Giasullo's arrangement is a “Lord, have mercy," moment. The final cut is like overhearing another couple's intimate conversation, “Dear Linda" is a tender ballad dedicated to Giasullo's wife of many years.

Earlier CDs by The Frank Giasullo Quartet include Firstlight and Until The Next Time, also recorded in the UK with tenor sax Art Themen.

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