For those unaware, a duo conceived in the spirit of Bill Evans, Evanscape (out now via Bonsai Music) brings together two of Italy’s finest jazz voices: pianist Enrico Pieranunzi, whose career spans collaborations with Chet Baker, Jim Hall and Lee Konitz, and guitarist Bebo Ferra.

Enrico Pieranunzi was born in Rome in 1949 and has for many years been among the most significant and well-known protagonists of the international jazz scene. A pianist, composer, and arranger, he has recorded more than 70 albums under his own name, ranging from piano solo to trio, from duo to quintet.

He has collaborated, either live or in the studio, with Chet Baker, Lee Konitz, Paul Motian, Charlie Haden, Chris Potter, Marc Johnson, and Joey Baron. Pieranunzi has been named Artist of the Year three times by the Musica Jazz magazine critics’ poll (in 1989, 2003, 2008). He also won the French Django d’Or prize as “Best European Musician” in 1997 and the German Echo Jazz Award in 2014 as “Best International Keyboard Artist”.

Bebo Ferra, of Sardinian origins but Milanese by adoption, is considered as one of the most prominent and creative guitarists on the Italian and European jazz scene. Ferra has formed various bands, with a substantial discography both as leader and sideman.

Free from mannerism, their conversation finds a zone of rare lyrical intimacy between sentimental excess and cool formalism.

1. Dreams and the Morning
2. Song for Helen
3. Passing Shadows
4. Incanto
5. Il giardino di Anne
6. Very Early
7. Twoliness
8. Siren’s Lounge
9. Once Upon a Summertime
10. Calling Enrico
11. Evanscape

This intimate piano-guitar tribute to Bill Evans opens on the stoically calming Dreams and the Morning and the sunny Sunday morning walk through the leafy park of Song for Helen and then brings us the Avenue des Champs-Élysées-hued Passing Shadows, the sheer elegance of Incanto and the simply decadent Il giardino di Anne.

Along next is the sprightlier fare of the playful Very Early which is itself backed by the rather resplendent Twoliness, the upbeat, perky even musical mannerisms of Siren’s Lounge, the set rounding out on the languishing beauty of Once Upon a Summertime, the soulfully impassioned Calling Enrico, closing on the emotively sculpted title cut Evanscape.

Official Purchase Link

www.enricopieranunzi.it

www.flyingspark.it