Registrare a New York fa bene allo spirito … jazzistico. E’ la prima cosa venutaci in mente al cospetto di "Tasting Beauty", recente creatura discografica del duo formato dal pianista Luciano Troja e dal chitarrista Giancarlo Mazzù, prodotto in studio a Brooklyn, presso il Wombat Recording Co. Ciò a prescindere dal dato della levatura tecnica dello staff fonico. E’ che, avendo già avuto occasione di ascoltare lavori dei due musicisti dalla collaborazione più che decennale, fra cui alcuni di stampo più classico del chitarrista e quello fondamentale su Zindars del pianista, questa produzione a marchio Slam pare ancor più impregnata del sacro fuoco dell’arte musicale afroamericana. Ed è quanto si riscontra non solo nel Blues For Giuseppino, tanto per fare un esempio, cosa tutto sommato abbastanza naturale in un tipo di organico che annovera, nel proprio olimpo, grandi accoppiate quali Petrucciani/Hall e Peterson/Pass. Così come nella composizione d’apertura, quella da cui trae titolo l’album, una sorta di habanera carica di consonanze da Nuovo Mondo. E’ soprattutto in alcune ballad – Quando Amavamo l’America – vere e proprie occasioni to taste the feeling, che si può gustare l’ interplay jazzistico, seppure frammisto di echi colti e popolari, del sodalizio. Si ascolti in proposito Qui, commento in note a un sogno, quasi un film muto, in cui appare sullo sfondo la banda di un paesino della Sicilia di Troja, "ponte" ideale sullo Stretto di Messina verso la Calabria di Mazzù. Forse l’unico momento, diciamo, di concessione dichiarata alle origini, al genius loci. Almeno in apparenza. L’anamnesi, nel senso platonico di reminiscenza delle idee, non consente, in questa sede, approfondimenti. Ancora, se si guarda a Somiglia, brano costruito ed eseguito in 6 misure, l’approccio, l’esecuzione, l’interpretazione sono neroamericani. C’è spazio per una dedica sonora a Barbara e Blaise, amici newyorkesi, prima di aprirsi alle visioni di Natural Wisdom e di Village Flowers e al saettante swing di Fat Mouse in Brooklyn. La chiusura è un ritorno a un concerto in Italia, con Caserta, a suggellare il decalogo creativo scritto da due esteti di quel Bello Sonoro che anche nuove forme espressive ed improvvisative possono ovunque configurare.   Amedeo Furfaro http://www.online-jazz.net/2016/05/17/nostri-cd-milano-new-york-un-bel-sentire/

GOOGLE TRANSLATE.

Recorded in New York for the Soul ... jazz. It 'the first thing venutaci in mind the presence of "Tasting Beauty", recently creature record of the duo formed by pianist Luciano Troja and guitarist Giancarlo Mazzù, produced in the studio in Brooklyn, at the Wombat Recording Co. This is regardless of the fact technical stature of the engineer staff. And 'that, having already had the opportunity to hear the work of two musicians from the collaboration more than a decade, including some of the most classic mold of the guitarist and the fundamental one of Zindars the pianist, this production Slam mark seems even more imbued with the sacred fire of 'Afro-American musical art. And this is what is found not only in Blues For Giuseppino, just as an example, what after all quite natural in a kind of organic and includes, in its Olympus, coupled such large Petrucciani / Hall and Peterson / Pass. As well as in the opening composition, the one from which it draws its title to the album, a sort of habanera charge consonance from the New World. And 'especially in some ballad - When We loved America - real opportunities to taste the feeling, that you can enjoy the' interplay of jazz, albeit mixed with the cultured and popular echoes, of the association. You hear about it Here, commentary notes in a dream, almost a silent film, in which the band appears in the background of a Troja Sicilian village, "ideal" bridge over the Strait of Messina to the Calabria Mazzù. Perhaps the only time, say, concession declared to the origins, to the genius loci. At least in appearance. The history, in the Platonic sense of reminiscence of ideas, does not, here, insights. Still, if you look at looks like, a song built and performed in 6 steps, the approach, execution, interpretation are neroamericani. There is space for a signature sound to Barbara and Blaise, friends Yorkers, before opening up to the visions of Natural Wisdom and Village Flowers and darting swing Fat Mouse in Brooklyn. The closure is a return to a concert in Italy, Caserta, to seal the creative Decalogue written by two aesthetes of that Beautiful Sound that even new forms of expression and improvisation can set up anywhere.

This CD is an enchanting compilation of original compositions by a seasoned musical duo, Giancarlo Mazzù and Luciano Troja, from Messina, Sicily. I first met Giancarlo and Luciano in 2009, when I reviewed them at The Metropolitan Room, in concert, then again in 2011, when I reviewed them at Banjo Jim’s, and also in 2013, when I reviewed them at Spectrum. It was on that 2013 trip to New York that Luciano and Giancarlo recorded this album in Brooklyn. This is truly contemplative and reflective music, played with warmth and style, that puts you, the listener, immediately at ease, wrapping yourself in luxurious, luminous tones. Each of the ten tracks is uniquely composed, four by each musician, and two by both. Both Luciano and Giancarlo perform in each original tune. On a cold winter night, you’ll be transported to sunny Sicily, with Tasting Beauty lighting up your evening.

Notable tracks:

#3 – Quando Amavamo l’America – Composed by Luciano Troja. This composition by Luciano explores his love of America. The music opens with echoing, introductory phrases, piano and guitar, followed by a solo piano theme, in soft melody. The guitar appears with its own swirling theme, and then Luciano completes the tune with intertwining guitar ornamentations.

#4 – Qui – Composed by Luciano Troja. This track is evocative of Fellini films, with an upbeat, quasi-comical pulse. It has a deliberate introduction that propels the theme like a bouncing ball toward fate, with fascinating, ever so atonal passages. Luciano’s piano carries the first minutes of this tune, before Giancarlo’s guitar stretches the theme inside out with fanciful effects.

#7 – Natural Wisdom – Composed by Giancarlo Mazzù. Giancarlo’s guitar leads this tune with its contemporary, sometimes dissonant theme. It’s ethereal and surreal, as the highest pitched string tone whispers in quiet space, before Luciano’s muted piano joins for a fluid, tonal, conversation finale. The music inspires thoughts of forestial streams and fauna.

#9 – Village Flowers – Composed by Giancarlo Mazzù. This composition is a rambunctious, joyful, musical romp, with both Luciano and Giancarlo showcasing virtuosic solos. The guitar solo is rapid and intriguing, played in parallel fashion with the supportive piano chords that create their own theme. This music is mesmerizing and stunning. Roberta E. Zlokower  http://www.robertaonthearts.com/cd/idCD127.html

GIANCARLO MAZZU / LUCIANO TROJA - Tasting Beauty (Slam 563; UK) Featuring  Giancarlo Mazzu on guitar and Luciano Troja on piano. These two Italian  musicians recorded two trio discs with Downtowner Blaise Siwula which we  listed perhaps last year. There is their second duo disc for the SLAM  label. All of the songs were written by either or both members of the duo.  The title track is first and it is a lovely, laid back sort of ballad, with  exquisite playing from both musicians. "Blues for Giuseppino" is a fine,  bluesy song with tasty guitar and piano. This disc was recorded in a studio  in Brooklyn when this duo played here in NY in April of 2013. What is  interesting about this session is how normal this duo is, close to  mainstream jazz yet still writing their own songs and still being crafty in  their own way. As this disc unfolds, the music gets a bit more adventurous  but remains restrained and never very far out. Impressive nonetheless, just  be patient and the just rewards will arrive in a more modest fashion. -  Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG 

GIANCARLO MAZZÚ [gtr] and LUCIANO TROJA [p] have had a professional association going back to the early 2000s and have recorded as a duo at least three times previous to TASTING BEAUTY [Slam 563]. Previously the duo has worked in standards while here the program is ten originals. This well-oiled duo plays a melodic program with drama and humor. I most enjoyed this date where the duo goes into each other in counterpoint and harmony. It’s a big world but their big talent and big ears make this one of the top duos.         Cadence July 2015.

Guitarist Giancarlo Mazzu’ joins together with  pianist Luciano Troja for ten originals that exude romanticism and reflection. Quiet playfulness is felt on "Blues for Giuseppino" and subtle interplay goes back and forth on "Qui" and the gently swinging "Village Flowers." Mazzu’s strings chime on "Natural Wisdom" and Troja’s piano is dreamy on "Quando Amavam L’America." The duo does get a bit feisty at times, delivering a delta twang on the jarring "Fat Mouse In Brooklyn," but that is simply a belch during the dessert on this sweet collection of pastries. George W. Harris http://www.jazzweekly.com/2015/06/subtle-and-softchristian-artmann-fields-of-pannonia-giancarlo-mazzu-luciano-troja-tasting-beauty/

Dieci tracce originali - due a quattro mani e quattro a testa - sono il terreno del nuovo incontro musicale tra Giancarlo Mazzù e Luciano Troja. Tasting Beauty è un dialogo tra linee melodiche dove l'ascoltatore può ritrovare l'intenzione di esplorare le anime del jazz o la ricerca di possibilità interpretative per la forma-canzone. E, ancora, una libertà espressiva proveniente dalla confidenza reciproca e rivolta a dare uguale dignità ai tanti riferimenti presenti nei brani.

Troja e Mazzù confezionano un disco essenziale. La melodia si pone al centro del disco, l'incontro timbrico è estremamente naturale, senza artifici né finzioni, tanto da risultare addirittura aspro in alcuni momenti. Pianista e chitarrista puntano a sviluppare il filo narrativo del disco, traccia dopo traccia: Tasting Beauty e Caserta, rispettivamente, primo e ultimo brano del disco, danno le coordinate emotive di un lavoro pacato, spesso intimo e riflessivo, caratterizzato da aperture e rimandi, mai estremo o, meglio, mai forzato. I due brani citati incorniciano e rendono circolare, in qualche modo, il percorso compiuto nei cinquantadue minuti del disco. All'interno della cornice troviamo rimandi al blues e alle tradizioni dell'Italia Meridionale, al mondo classico e alla canzone: tutto rivissuto secondo l'attitudine del jazzista, secondo la libertà di manipolare e fare proprie influenze e matrici, tutto applicato con l'approccio spigliato di un interplay istantaneo e maturato da una lunga consuetudine a condividere musica insieme. Fabio Ciminiera  http://www.jazzconvention.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2627:giancarlo-mazzu-a-luciano-troja-tasting-beauty&catid=2:recensioni&Itemid=11

GOOGLE TRANSLATE

Ten original tracks - two to four hands and four apiece - are the ground of the new musical encounter between Mazzù Giancarlo and Luciano Troja. Tasting Beauty is a dialogue between melody lines where the listener can find the intention of exploring the soul of jazz, or the search for alternative interpretations to the song format. And, again, a freedom of expression from the mutual trust and aimed at giving equal dignity to the many references in the songs.

Troja and Mazzù pack a disk essential. The melody is at the center of the disc, the meeting timbre is very natural, without artifice or pretense, much to even be harsh at times. Pianist and guitarist aim to develop the narrative thread of the album, track by track: Tasting Beauty and Caserta, respectively, the first and last song of the album, give the coordinates of emotional work quietly, often intimate and thoughtful, characterized by openings and references, never extreme or rather, never forced. The two songs mentioned frame and make it circulate, in some way, the route taken in fifty-two minutes disc. Within the frame we find references to the blues and the traditions of Southern Italy, the classical world and the song: all relived according to the attitude of jazz, according to the freedom to manipulate and make their influences and dies, all applied with ' breezy approach of an interplay instant and matured by a long tradition to share music together.

Il loro terzo CD in duo arriva su Slam Productions, la meritevole casa discografica inglese. Si tratta diGiancarlo Mazzú alla chitarra e Luciano Troja al pianoforte. Dopo l´incisione dal vivo in USA dedicata agli standards, fatti a modo loro, ed il trio con il sassofonista americano Blaise Siwula ora si presentano con loro composizioni. È una musica originale nello svolgimento che cerca nella tradizione del jazz ma che mentre prende forma acquista una propria dimensione difficilmente classificabile all´interno di un genere. Anche all´interno di quello che è il jazz italiano nelle sue sfaccettature i due mantengono un profilo piuttosto autonomo, senza lasciarsi influenzare da nessuno dei nomi più importanti. La chitarra ed il pianoforte seguono una loro via tangenziale a tutto, anche quando fanno un blues, qui il Blues for Giuseppino, oppure una ballad come Barbara and Blaise o ancora un brano come Quando amavamo l’America che sembra arrivare dal mondo della musica pop. Somiglia di Luciano Troja si avvicina agli standard ed al jazz più mainstream, se non fosse per la chitarra che intraprende il dialogo con il suo punto di vista al di fuori degli schemi. Natural Wisdom è un altro brano convincente dell´album, molto lirico ed ispirato nel dialogo dei due. Village Flowers è un tema scritto per raccontare una passeggiata tra i fiori del Greenwich Village, dallo svolgimento che va sul mainstream jazz odierno, piuttosto vicino al mondo degli standards. L´ultimo brano in scaletta, Caserta è stato scritto in una chiesa nell´omonima città, prima di un concerto. La loro musica prende spunto da tanti eventi  e fatti intorno per trovare fonti di ispirazione, ma poi, quando prende forma, diventa un qualcosa di autonomo da tutto, che è la qualità che hanno i veri jazzisti.  Vittorio lo Conte.  http://www.musiczoom.it/?p=22796

 G00GLE TRANSLATE

Their third CD in duo arrives on Slam Productions, the worthy UK label. It di Giancarlo Mazzù Luciano Troja on guitar and piano. After the etching live in USA dedicated to standards, made in their own way, and the trio with the American saxophonist Blaise Siwula now present themselves with their compositions. It is an original music in the conduct and look at the tradition of jazz while taking shape but that acquires its own dimension difficult to classify within a genre. Even within what is the Italian jazz in its facets the two maintain a profile quite independently, without being influenced by any of the top names. Guitar and piano follow them via a bypass to everything, even when they do a blues, here Blues for Giuseppino, or a ballad like Barbara and Blaise or even a song like When loved America that seems to come from the world of pop music . It resembles Luciano Troja approaches to jazz standards and more mainstream, if not for the guitar that undertakes dialogue with his point of view outside the box. Natural Wisdom is another compelling piece of the album, very lyrical and inspired in the dialogue of the two. Village Flowers is a theme written to tell a stroll among the flowers of Greenwich Village, from the performance that goes on mainstream jazz today, quite close to the world standards. The last piece in the line-up, Caserta was written in a church in the town by, before a concert. Their music is inspired by the many events and facts around to find sources of inspiration, but then, when it takes shape, becomes something independent from everything, that is the quality that the real jazz musicians.