Francesco Amenta - Midtown Walk

Francesco Amenta - Midtown Walk -Amenta Music International

Tenor saxophonist-composer Francesco Amenta is an Italian expatriate who has been living in New York since 2017. He started studying privately in Italy with American artists living in the city before attending a Jazz Conservatory in Bologna. Amenta studied at other institutions with Barry Harris, Johnny Griffith, Charles Lloyd, and others before setting his home base in the Netherlands and playing throughout Europe for ten years. He released his first album while living in the Netherlands. After a visit to New York in 2015, Amenta returned in 2017 for what was supposed to be a three-month visit. After meeting the woman who became his wife, he applied for a work permit and has been a resident ever since.

"Midtown Walk" is his second album and has him accompanied by a quartet of the noted pianist Cyrus Chestnut, and two Greek expatriates, bassist Kimon Karoutzos and drummer Gary Kerezou. John Lee, Dizzy Gillespie's long-time bassist, produced this recording. Amenta wrote seven of the eight selections performed. The other selection is from Duke Ellington.

"Dancing" opens this album and is a gently rhythmic composition that showcases Amenta's robust tone and fluid attack. "Home" is as much a showcase for the marvelous Chestnut as Amenta. Karoutzos' lengthy bass solo opens the funky "Bunch of Time," with Chestnut displaying his elegant, thoughtful relaxed accompaniment behind the leader's dynamic solo. "Number 9" is a modal composition inspired by McCoy Tyner. Noteworthy is Kerezou's dynamic drumming supporting Amenta's fiery playing Amenta and Chestnut's dazzling solo. She and bassist Karoutzos certainly are names to keep an eye on. 

Armenta's lyricism and warmth might be best exhibited on the lovely ballad, "06-22," with exquisite backing from Chestnut and the rhythm section. Even better is Amenta's rendition of Duke Ellington's "Come Sunday," with exquisite interplay by him and Chestnut, along with the thoughtful, carefully sculptured solos. It may be the highlight of this consistently outstanding recording. 

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is an earlier performance (from 2016) by Francesco Amenta of "Come Sunday."