I have been listening to a CD called "It Amazes Me" (Sackville, the Canadian label) by a wonderful mainstream Italian jazz pianist named Rossano Sportiello. He plays mostly standards, with a fair amount of stride, pretty much a lost art nowadays. Beautiful light touch, and encyclopedic repetiore from traditional to modern. Sound quality of the CD is also exceptional. Another CD called "Heart and Soul" (Arbors) is also very good. Sorry I don't know how to post photos of the CD covers, but jazz lovers should check Mr. Sportiello out. He's my current favorite in this genre now that Ralph Sutton has passed on.
Posted on: 02 February 2010 by Massimo Bertola
Hi,
a couple of years ago I attended a celebration concert for the 80 years of a very known Italian jazz guitarist, Franco Cerri, in a wonderful theater in Milano. Many guests, like Enrico Rava and Stefano Bollani.
In the end, came this young pianist, absolutely unknown to me, with the attitude and the looks of a gentle, unassuming employee, sat at the piano and started improvising a tuneful, reflective piece which developed in something beautiful and frankly astonishing. He was Rossano Sportiello, and I have tried to follow his career since then.
I know he's specialized in stride piano, but what I heard that night was sufficient to convince me he could be a great in almost any stile.
I totally share your feelings.
Posted on: 02 February 2010 by mikeeschman
Stride piano is alive and well in New Orleans. Try Dr. John and Marcus Roberts for starters.
You can hear good stride any weekend at the Maple Leaf.
But my favorite of all is "Solo Monk", which is from the east coast.
