Whilst this certainly isn’t smooth jazz it is easy listening or, to avoid a pejorative connotation, it’s jazz that is easy to listen to; there’s no jarring or discordance anywhere. The tone of Italian guitarist Luca Di Luzio’s archtop is warm but with just enough treble to deliver crisp melodic lines.
Di Luzio’s inspiration for the title of his album derives from “those who never give up . . . those who pursue their dreams, write their living destiny every day. Above all . . . those who do not give up in the face of obstacles, and continue to smile, and make the world more beautiful.”
Di Luzio is a graduate of the Conservatorio di Musica Frescobaldi di Ferrara near Bologna, where he studied guitar. He has also been tutored by some of the most renowned guitarists in jazz including Jim Hall, Mike Stern and Pat Metheny. Additionally, he’s played or recorded with some of the world’s leading jazz musicians including Dave Weckl, Jimmy Haslip, Max Ionata, Paulo Fresu and Marvin “Smitty” Smith. He’s also played with the Jazzlife Orchestra and the Conservatorio Frescobaldi Big Band.
The first three tracks feature guest Randy Brecker playing muted trumpet that inevitably recalls Miles Davis, especially in his late electric period. The open notes of the elegant ballad Verso Sera (Towards Evening) are reminiscent of On A Clear Day. Di Luzio turns in a graceful acoustic solo followed by Brecker here on rich, unmuted trumpet.
All the track names have a special meaning for Di Luzio, the Latin-tinged A14 being named after the autostrada adjacent to where he now resides.
The laidback, groove-laden vamp introducing Second Life is extremely memorable as is the riffy jazz-rock of Jimmy V with its catchy head. On the breezy Shortcut Di Luzio even channels George Benson with some well-placed octaves and a fluid execution.
Discography
Second Life; Fishing In Paradise; Never Give Up; Verso Sera; The Genius; Lauderdale; Shortcut; A14; Jimmy V (48.00)
Di Luzio (elg, g); Randy Brecker (t); Jason Arkins (as, ts); George Whitty (kyb); Alain Caron (elb); Rodney Holmes (d); Steve Thornton (pc). No details given of place or date.
lucadiluzio.it
