Therry Romano

Aldo Romano - To Be Ornette to Be (1989) {Owl Records 9824601 rel 2005}
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© 1989, 2005 Owl Records / EmArcy / Universal | OWL 057 / 982 460 1
Jazz / Post Bop / Contemporary Jazz / Drums

When Italian drummer Aldo Romano recorded this Ornette Coleman tribute for Owl Records (a French label) in 1989, Coleman had been recording for more than 30 years – and there were still plenty of people who had difficulty comprehending the alto saxman's innovative free jazz. But Romano not only comprehended it – he had a very deep appreciation of it. In the liner notes that he wrote for To Be Ornette to Be, Romano exalts Coleman as "one of the key voices in Afro-American music" and asserts that if Coleman had been Italian, he would have composed La Traviata. Some bop snobs would be horrified that Romano would compare Coleman's work to La Traviata, but Romano does, in fact, know what he's talking about when he praises Coleman's genius.

Drummer/composers are a relatively rare breed in jazz, but Aldo Romano is one of the most gifted on the scene. With a baker's dozen musicians (including himself) and thoughtful arrangements by Lionel Belmondo, Romano creates a powerful sound with reeds, brass, and rhythm section, often emphasizing the ensemble more so than than soloists, starting with the lovely bittersweet "Silenzio," which sounds like it could have been written for a film soundtrack. Trumpeter Stefane Belmondo and pianist Eric Legnini are showcased in the driving bossa nova "Pasolini." The elegant, lyrical waltz "For Michel" and the graceful "Touch of a Woman" (the latter with Belmondo on flügelhorn) are also obvious highlights. Romano plays guitar, sings, and co-composed an Italian lyric with Yves Simon for his upbeat "Jazz Messengers." This is yet another rewarding date by Aldo Romano.

Aldo Romano - Ritual (1988) {Owl Records 7898092 rel 1993}
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© 1988, 1993 Owl Records | 7898092
Jazz / Post Bop / Contemporary Jazz / Drums

Aldo Romano's Ritual has both an Italian connection and a French connection – French because the post-bop CD was recorded in Paris for a French company (Owl Records), Italian in that all of the musicians are Italian (including drummer Romano, trumpeter/flugelhornist Paolo Fresu, pianist Franco D'Andrea, and bassist Furio Di Castri). If a person could only own one of Romano's Owl releases, To Be Ornette to Be would be the logical choice – that excellent Ornette Coleman tribute is the best thing he recorded for Owl. But Ritual isn't bad. Although not as essential as To Be Ornette to Be, this is a decent post-bop outing that finds Romano performing his own compositions exclusively.

This 1989 recording, once available through the now-defunct, France-based Owl record label, has been brought back from the proverbial ashes by Sunnyside. Venerable modern jazz drummer Aldo Romano and highly regarded saxophonist Joe Lovano go for the gusto throughout these generally upbeat duets. Essentially, it's what many fans of these two important jazz musicians would come to expect. On this release, Lovano perpetuates a surfeit of soul-stirring lines amid plenty of dynamics atop Romano's swarming swing grooves. With pieces such as "Dragons Are" and elsewhere throughout the program, the duo seemingly emulates the hustle and bustle ordinarily heard when artists venture into the free zone. The duo also displays a soft touch in spots, but the bulk of these works primarily consist of high-octane improvisational sequences.

Aldo Romano - Night Diary (1980) {OWL Records 9847542 rel 2007}
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© 1980, 2007 Owl Records / EmArcy / Universal | OWL 018 / 984 754 2
Jazz / Post Bop / Contemporary Jazz / Drums

Beautiful record by Aldo Romano (1980), varied and inspired. Beautiful compositions in areas of chiaroscuro. Didier Lockwood on a few tracks. Although born in Italy, Aldo Romano moved to France with his family at a young age. He was already playing guitar and drums professionally in Paris in the '50s when he heard Donald Byrd's group with drummer Arthur Taylor. Since then, he has dedicated himself to the drums and contemporary jazz.