For those unaware, from murmuring brooks to the eruption of scalding magma, sound is ubiquitous on our planet. What is more, according to satellite data - scientists theorize that sound waves may have been present at the beginning of the universe.

Since antiquity, philosophers and poets have explored the fundamental link and life here on planet earth. Mother Nature indeed has a rich spectrum of timbres, rhythms, and beats, that you can hear if you pause and listen. There is music all around us. There is music in our midst.

But sometimes we need a jolt, a reminder that we are not above nature but part of it. Not just spectators but musicians in the symphony of earth.

Marco Pignataro’s Chant for Our Planet (out October 21st, 2022 via Zoho Music) is a stirring, magnificent music opus. It’s also a clarion call for better stewardship of our shared home, our planet.

Indeed, this was Pignataro’s mission upon creating this work that was commissioned by the Tällberg Foundation, which seeks to inspire positive climate action and nurture innovation by exploring societal challenges through the prism of music.

“Jazz music has historically been a powerful artistic medium to inspire, educate, empower and advocate for social change in our community. Using jazz to advocate for reforming climate policies is now a mandate for conscientious artists to inspire more care for our world,” says Pignataro.

1. Suite Terra - Mare - Cielo I: Terra (Earth) (7:24) (John Patitucci)
2. Suite Terra - Mare - Cielo II: Mare (Sea) (3:26) (John Patitucci)
3. Suite Terra - Mare - Cielo III: Cielo (Sky) (7:19) (John Patitucci)
4. Agua de Beber (5:35) (Jobim/De Moraes. Arr. Edmar Colon)
5. Moon Threads (11:25) (Marco Pignataro. Arr. Chase Morrin, M. Pignataro)
6. As It Should Be (9:51) (Joe Lovano)
7. Nature Boy (3:00) (Eden Ahbez. Arr. M. Pignataro)
8. On Irene’s Path (6:29)
9. Chant for Our Planet (Agua Falando) (1:50) (Edmar Colon - Nadia Washington)

Opening on the Suite trilogy: Terra – Mare – Cielo (Earth – Sea – Sky), composed for this project by John Patitucci, the elegant, evocative tour-de-force, which immediately sets the asserting tone of the album is truly something to audibly behold. Terra is an ornately polished work, a somewhat mournful bass clarinet then brings us Mare, with the layered fluidity of playing within Cielo being the empathetic statement’s full stop of the trio.

Up next is Agua de Beber (water to drink), which is itself a well-known piece by Antônio Carlos Jobim, which here is now a translucent work of fashioned musical art, especially given that Nadia Washington vocally gives all she has on it.

Then we get the eleven minute Moon Threads, a thoughtful musical meditation of the highest order and one that is followed by a sensitive reading by Pignataro, and that is itself backed by the stratified musical jam As It Should Be; which begins as a pedaling, pensive number that builds with intensity throughout, finally bringing us the grooves that it has always been alluding to.

Next up is the dutifully reconditioned, and one that now opens with a solo tenor improvisation that leads to the main theme of Nature Boy, which itself was the first song recorded by Nat King Cole. Furthermore, it was composed by Eden Ahbez in 1947 as an ode to Lebensreform, which was a reform movement that propagated an organic way of life such as being a vegetarian and sensible farming. Featuring Marco’s searching solo tenor saxophone reflections, the melody of the song is fully stated with poignancy and somberness.

Bringing the recording to a close are both the drum-led On Irene’s Path, which is Pignataro’s composition wholly inspired by Hurricane Irene and its aftermath. From West Africa to the Americas, this destructive hurricane caused significant damage and thus here the band plays seamlessly together, a blended brew of virtuosos riffing counterpoint by Marco on soprano sax and Lovano on tenor sax; and then closing the album is the short, but sweet Chant for Our Planet (Agua Falando), which is an unapologetic anthem/call to action to respect and protect Mother Nature.

Creating such a lofty project requires an artist with a global outlook. After all, humans drew the borders between countries, but music helps us see past these lines and to recognize our shared existence.

An acclaimed saxophonist and composer, Pignataro hails from Bologna, Italy and served previously as professor & founding Director of the Jazz & Caribbean Department at the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico.

Together with Danilo Perez, he presently co-leads the Berklee Global Jazz Institute (BGJI) at Berklee College of Music in Boston. His passport has been stamped the world over, as he has traveled extensively as a touring artist and performed with the likes of Eddie Gomez, Billy Hart and Rufus Reid, among many others.

Pignataro assembled a veritable cast of jazz all-stars for this special project: John Patitucci (bass), Joe Lovano (saxophone), Terri Lyne Carrington (drums) and Chico Pinheiro (guitar), as well as the emerging talents of Anastassiya Petrova (piano) and Nadia Washington (vocals), both alumni and faculty at the BGJI. And wow, does the band ever come together for this inspired work.

Musicians:
Marco Pignataro - soprano, alto and tenor sax
Joe Lovano - tenor sax, bass clarinet, alto flute, mezzo soprano sax
John Patitucci - bass
Terri Lyne Carrington - drums
Chico Pinheiro - guitar
Nadia Washington - voice
Anastassiya Petrova - piano

Chant for Our Planet is a watershed project. It follows in the tradition of jazz music being leveraged for social change. Pignataro has picked up the baton (and his saxophone) and forged ahead, paving a new direction for jazz.

The challenge of our times is making sure our planet is safe and secure for future generations. That an artist of Pignataro’s caliber has offered his talents to such a noble cause is remarkable. It’s been a joy to help Pignataro on his quest.

May his music inspire many more to take action towards protecting Mother Nature for future generations.

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