GLAUCO VENIER
Fraulian pianist Glauco Venier is perhaps best known for his ECM recordings with the collaborative trio with German saxophonist/clarinettist Klaus Gesing and Norma Winstone, with the group having recorded three acclaimed albums for the imprint; Distances, Stories Yet To Tell and Dance Without Answer.
Venier's initial musical experiences came from playing organ in his local village church. His first forays into jazz were self-taught and in 1991 he won a scholarship to study at Berklee College of music in Boston.
Since then he has played and toured with Enrico Rava, Lee Konitz, Kenny Wheeler, Maria Pia De Vito, Joey Baron and Paolo Fresu amongst others.
His debut album for ECM, Miniture was released in June 2016 to much critical acclaim, in which he incorparates improvisation with with his early influences from playing organ in church and his love of classiscal music as well as jazz.
Of his top ten favourite albums, Glauco says:
Venier's initial musical experiences came from playing organ in his local village church. His first forays into jazz were self-taught and in 1991 he won a scholarship to study at Berklee College of music in Boston.
Since then he has played and toured with Enrico Rava, Lee Konitz, Kenny Wheeler, Maria Pia De Vito, Joey Baron and Paolo Fresu amongst others.
His debut album for ECM, Miniture was released in June 2016 to much critical acclaim, in which he incorparates improvisation with with his early influences from playing organ in church and his love of classiscal music as well as jazz.
Of his top ten favourite albums, Glauco says:
CHARLIE PARKER - Complete Savoy Sessions
The Holy Bible has the Old Testament and the New Testament. Parker is Jazz’ new testament. Bird Lives!
MILES DAVIS - Relaxing
The groove’s apotheosis. If somebody asked me what swing and jazz are I’d have no doubts: I’d use this record to explain them. Formidable rhythm section!
J. S. BACH - Magnificat (Conductor Nikolaus Harnoncourt)
Bach represents the cosmic perfection, when man gets close to God. It doesn’t matter what God! What’s important is the spiritual vision of life and art. Mr. Harnoncourt, to me, has been one of the most important interpreters of Bach’s music of our times. This piece expresses the magnificence of life using the music language. Bach’s Magnificat is my favorite piece of music ever.
THELONIOUS MONK - The Genius Of Modern Music
This is the most fruitful period of Monk as far as composing and playing are concerned. Together with Mr. Ellington and Mr. Mingus, Monk represents the real Classical American Composer.
The Holy Bible has the Old Testament and the New Testament. Parker is Jazz’ new testament. Bird Lives!
MILES DAVIS - Relaxing
The groove’s apotheosis. If somebody asked me what swing and jazz are I’d have no doubts: I’d use this record to explain them. Formidable rhythm section!
J. S. BACH - Magnificat (Conductor Nikolaus Harnoncourt)
Bach represents the cosmic perfection, when man gets close to God. It doesn’t matter what God! What’s important is the spiritual vision of life and art. Mr. Harnoncourt, to me, has been one of the most important interpreters of Bach’s music of our times. This piece expresses the magnificence of life using the music language. Bach’s Magnificat is my favorite piece of music ever.
THELONIOUS MONK - The Genius Of Modern Music
This is the most fruitful period of Monk as far as composing and playing are concerned. Together with Mr. Ellington and Mr. Mingus, Monk represents the real Classical American Composer.
LENNIE TRISTANO - The New Tristano
These experiments of free improvisation for piano make me think of Lennie as a stylistic forerunner. His use of improvisations over traditional harmonies or free structures make Tristano one of the inventors of Free Jazz. Also … his very innovative rhythmic approach influenced many modern musicians.
ORNETTE COLEMAN - New York Is Now
This record is the clear example of how fundamental the African contribution was to the birth of jazz and modern jazz. Unpredictable, creative, popular, natural, folk and rhythmic; very far from the so-called western musical schemes. Go Elvin!!!
BILL EVANS - Sunday At The Village Vanguard
I have no words…I like everything about Bill and this trio. The touch, the sound, the quality of the recording, the rhythmic and harmonic concepts, the repertoire and the empathic interplay. Thanks a lot Mr. Bill!
CHICK COREA - Now He Sings, Now He Sobs
I’m very bound to this record. Chick and his trio bring the concept of harmony, rhythm, form and interplay to an extreme level. Mr. Corea is one of my heroes in music and he is the musician’s prototype that I admire; always questioning and ready to search. If I think that Roy Haynes, after playing with Bud Powell and Monk, recorded this music with one of the highest exponents of contemporary jazz of all times, it gives me the chills. Roy Haynes for President !!!
These experiments of free improvisation for piano make me think of Lennie as a stylistic forerunner. His use of improvisations over traditional harmonies or free structures make Tristano one of the inventors of Free Jazz. Also … his very innovative rhythmic approach influenced many modern musicians.
ORNETTE COLEMAN - New York Is Now
This record is the clear example of how fundamental the African contribution was to the birth of jazz and modern jazz. Unpredictable, creative, popular, natural, folk and rhythmic; very far from the so-called western musical schemes. Go Elvin!!!
BILL EVANS - Sunday At The Village Vanguard
I have no words…I like everything about Bill and this trio. The touch, the sound, the quality of the recording, the rhythmic and harmonic concepts, the repertoire and the empathic interplay. Thanks a lot Mr. Bill!
CHICK COREA - Now He Sings, Now He Sobs
I’m very bound to this record. Chick and his trio bring the concept of harmony, rhythm, form and interplay to an extreme level. Mr. Corea is one of my heroes in music and he is the musician’s prototype that I admire; always questioning and ready to search. If I think that Roy Haynes, after playing with Bud Powell and Monk, recorded this music with one of the highest exponents of contemporary jazz of all times, it gives me the chills. Roy Haynes for President !!!
KENNY WHEELER - Gnu High
Kenny … I think he has been one of the most underestimated musician in the history of music. Great composer, great arranger, master of trumpet with his own sound and personality, adorable man. I was lucky enough to collaborate with him for more than a decade, not only here in Italy, and I have no doubts; he was a “Genius”!!! This album was recorded in one day and all the musicians (Jarrett in particular) played this complex music in the studio for the first time, no rehearsal before. The result is a very fresh and creative music! Fantastic group! The beginning of a new era! Beautiful! I have no words to describe it. I simply can’t live without it! God save Kenny, Keith, Dave and Jack!
KEITH JARRETT - The Koln Concert
As you might have noticed, I mentioned two records featuring Jarrett; one as a leader and the other as a guest. In my opinion, he is the greatest exponent of improvised solo piano and also a great composer. His way of comping the soloists is unique and his trios with Motian, Haden, Peacock and Dejohnette were the most inspiring trios in jazz history. What I can say is that in this record there is the summa of all the aspects of music that fascinate me. I think that Keith has influenced many piano players (and not only) of the new generation and, in particular, my favorite: Brad Mehldau.
Kenny … I think he has been one of the most underestimated musician in the history of music. Great composer, great arranger, master of trumpet with his own sound and personality, adorable man. I was lucky enough to collaborate with him for more than a decade, not only here in Italy, and I have no doubts; he was a “Genius”!!! This album was recorded in one day and all the musicians (Jarrett in particular) played this complex music in the studio for the first time, no rehearsal before. The result is a very fresh and creative music! Fantastic group! The beginning of a new era! Beautiful! I have no words to describe it. I simply can’t live without it! God save Kenny, Keith, Dave and Jack!
KEITH JARRETT - The Koln Concert
As you might have noticed, I mentioned two records featuring Jarrett; one as a leader and the other as a guest. In my opinion, he is the greatest exponent of improvised solo piano and also a great composer. His way of comping the soloists is unique and his trios with Motian, Haden, Peacock and Dejohnette were the most inspiring trios in jazz history. What I can say is that in this record there is the summa of all the aspects of music that fascinate me. I think that Keith has influenced many piano players (and not only) of the new generation and, in particular, my favorite: Brad Mehldau.
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