Tom Brigandi Albums (2)
What The Critics Say
Bass player Tom Brigandi has corralled the band from his Late Night New York album into the recording studio for his second album. The band, really a quintet, remains the same with one exception. Trumpet player Joe Magnarelli joins the group, replacing sax player Joe "Hardcore" Carello. The nature of the play list hasn't changed much from the initial outing. It's still an agreeable blend of original material with jazz and pop standards. First-rank hard bop tenor player Eric Alexander continues to carry much of the load. But this time around, bop-oriented pianist Dino Losito gets more play on such cuts as a feverish rendition of Joe Zawinul's "Young and Fine." While only on three cuts, trumpeter Magnarelli takes advantage of what's given him as on another Zawinul piece, "One for Newk," in honor of Brooklyn Dodger pitcher of the 1950s and 1960s Don Newcombe. Arrangements and improvisational excursions continue to be inventive and invigorating. Brigandi starts "Candy" with a statement of the melody opening the door for Magnarelli followed by Losito. The band is also no slouch with a ballad. Alexander's way with "I Fall in Love Too Easily" is one of the highlights of the session. The playing for each tune averages more than eight minutes, meaning that there is a thorough exploration of all extemporizing potential without the team or any of their members running out of things to say or repeating something already stated. Brigandi and band have not been affected by the so-called sophomore slump. To the contrary, the playing on the second release is ear-catching, stimulating, and recommended. ~ Dave Nathan, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Even though late-night jazz in New York City is not the same as it was during the heyday of 52nd Street, there is still plenty of it in the air, with its special one-of-a-kind excitement. Bass player Tom Brigandi, a graduate of the Chuck Mangione Quartet, works hard to capture the style and mood of the big city after dark with a play list well mixed with standards and original material. The mood is intensified by the presence of stellar musicians on the set along with the bass player. Tenor Eric Alexander stakes his claim as one of the major figures on the CD with a strong, driving hard bop solo on Mangione's "Brooks Brothers." "Secret Love" finds Alexander in a somewhat mellower mood at the outset, before he and the group engage in a nine-plus minute improvisational exploration of the nooks and corners of the 1953 Academy Award winner, with Dino Losito's Dodo Marmarosa-like boppish piano stylings getting plenty of play. Brigandi gets a chance to show his seamless bass talent on the album's coda, "Easy to Love," and an especially lilting Paul Chambers piece, "Beauteous," where his work is underscored by the drums of Danny D'Imperio. In addition to outstanding solo work, the arrangements are such that this quintet sounds considerably larger than it actually is. If you have a yen for a no holds barred hard-blowing session, Late Night New York would be a perfect addition to your collection. ~ Dave Nathan, All Music Guide
