Chick Corea/Stefano Bollani
Orvieto
(ECM)
by Alex Henderson
Chick Corea has not been shy about participating in acoustic two-piano duets during his career; over the years, he has performed with Herbie Hancock, Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Hiromi Uehara. Italian pianist Stefano Bollani is Corea’s latest duo partner on this live date from the 2010 Umbria Jazz Winter Festival in Italy.
Those familiar with Bollani’s work know that he has eclectic tastes, putting a postbop spin on everything from Italian pop and Scandinavian folk songs to the George Gershwin songbook. Bollani has also paid tribute to Bill Evans and as Evans was among Corea’s early influences, it isn’t surprising that Corea and Bollani enjoy a strong rapport, whether they are turning their attention to Fats Waller’s “Jitterbug Waltz”, Jimmy Van Heusen’s “Darn That Dream” or Ralph Ranger-Leo Robin’s “If I Should Lose You”.
Another thing Corea and Bollani have in common is a healthy appreciation of Brazilian music; they both sound inspired on two Antonio Carlos Jobim songs (“Retrato em Branco e Preto” and “Este Seu Olhar”) and Dorival Caymii’s “Doralice”. Corea’s long history of incorporating AfroCuban salsa and Spanish flamenco into modern jazz serve the pair well on performances of “Tirititran” and Corea’s “Armando’s Rhumba”.
Orvieto isn’t quite as essential as some of Corea’s two-piano duets of the past but is a pleasing document of Corea’s initial encounter with Bollani.
For more information, visit ecmrecords.com. Corea plays solo at Highline Ballroom Apr. 5th.
