ROBERTO MAGRIS REMINESCES ABOUT THE RECORDING IN HONG KONG

This recording captures my Italian quartet live in Jakarta, Hong Kong, in 2004. The group was active from 2003 to 2008 with me on piano, Ettore Martin on tenor saxophone, Danilo Gallo on bass and Enzo Carpentieri on drums. Having toured Europe, Asia and Australia, the quartet touched base in Hong Kong, just a few months after our time in Indonesia (see the album Roberto Magris Quartet / Live in Indonesia (JM 037).

This recording was made in the studios of the Hong Kong Radio Television for airplay purposes. A copy was given to us for our personal use, and this is its first official release.  This program is a little different from our concert appearances at that time. We added two compositions by Billy Strayhorn and the first performance of a new one of mine, “Two-Sided Love.” 

During our visit to China, we played a concert at the Performing Arts Center in Hong Kong and then crossed the border by train to Guangzhou (Canton). Today, China has boosted its economy and wealth, but in 2004 I remember the striking contrast between the new world with skyscrapers and technology and ancient Chinese traditions.

The promoter of the concert in Guangzhou was a very nice and friendly lady who showed us the huge and very new and beautiful theater. We were surprised to find
military parade drums with no cymbals on the stage! Fortunately, she phoned a music shop and they immediately brought a jazz drums set to the hall. In addition to the promoter, we were accompanied by others who spoke English. They were a great help in ordering food at restaurants and touring the area. Remembering our adventures in China brings back delightful memories.

After the concert in Guangzhou (Canton) we went back to Hong Kong and had the pleasure of doing this recording. I hope that you will truly appreciate the music’s spirit as well as the creativity of the musicians as we do what we do best — simply making music.

Roberto Magris