ROBERTO MAGRIS REMINESCES ABOUT LIVE IN ATTWENGER

This recording captures my Italian quartet live at the Weinhaus Attwenger in Ischl, Austria, in 2006. The group was active from 2003 to 2008 with me on piano and on this session the Fender Rhodes, Ettore Martin on tenor saxophone, Danilo Gallo on bass and Enzo Carpentieri on drums. Having toured Europe, Asia and Australia, the quartet was at the height of its artistic and expressive maturity when it performed in Austria.

I have a distinct, if not painful, memory of this concert as I had broken my knee during a judo session a few days prior to the performance. The doctors put a brace on my leg and told me to remain still during my recovery and postpone any concert appearances. I quickly realized what impact this would have on the promoters of Jazzfreunde Bad Ischl, the people who had purchased tickets and the musicians. Since my knee wasn't hurting that badly, I decided to confirm the concert and go to Bad Ischl anyway!

Once the concert started, I forgot about my leg problems and completely immersed myself in the music. Our flawless performance along with the friendly and participatory atmosphere of the audience created a genuine jazz vibe.

Rediscovering this recording after twenty years has been a joy. Not only did it bring some beautiful memories to my mind, but it served as a testimony to the vitality of Europe’s live jazz club scene at the time. 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