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Andrea Pozza Trio

Love Walked In

33Jazz174

Those who've heard UK-based tenor player Renato D'Aiello's recent quartet recording Sintetico (33Jazz ­ see elsewhere in this section) will already be familiar with pianist Andrea Pozza and bassist Nicola Muresu, and the drummer on this album, Shaney Forbes, is best known for his playing with Empirical.

Pozza, also prominent for his work with Enrico Rava, obtained a diploma from the Nicoḷ Paganini Conservatory in Genoa, and is ­ cf. Brad Mehldau, Lynne Arriale et al. ­ clearly steeped in classical technique yet a jazz player to his fingertips, and (especially on up-tempo numbers) he can be dazzlingly inventive, but is always musicianly and measured.

Here, his trio address a lively selection of standards ­ the Gershwin title-track a particular highlight, containing a dancing Pozza solo laced with lyricism after a deliciously discursive introduction ­ originals and an Ornette Coleman blues ('Blues Connotation' tellingly alternates unaccompanied choruses with sizzling trio interaction), and allow Pozza to emote alone on Billy Strayhorn's characteristically wistfully lush closer 'Orson' (dedicated to the celebrated film-maker).

Whatever the material, though, from the appropriately peppy, bouncingly optimistic 'Get Happy' to the burning balladry of Pozza's own 'Gull's Flight', Pozza draws thoughtful, absorbing but forceful and spirited performances from the band throughout an intelligently paced set.