The Debut Recording From Violinist and Composer GABE TERRACCIANO - In Flight

After moving from Boston to New York City in the summer of 2016, Terracciano found himself playing less jazz (in the strictest sense), and has since been drawn into the worlds of Traditional Jazz, Bluegrass, Country, Free Improvisation, and Rock. In writing the material for this album, he wanted to make sure that he was able to include all of these genres into the project, finding a way for them to work together while maintaining a common “jazz” identity. The compositions on this album display how many different styles of music can coexist in the same space, especially when brought together by superb players, a willingness to collaborate, and a dedication to the craft of what it means to be a musician.

The CD opens with the titular In Flight, a larger scale piece that uses elements of Latin music and free improvisation centered on a clave rhythm in 15/8. The music begins with a slower ensemble introduction followed by violin and trumpet solos over the clave rhythm. Guitar and saxophone then begin to improvise freely while the form collapses around them before a recap of the introduction material. s

Following the full ensemble feature of the first piece, Way Off is played in a stripped down quartet featuring violin and rhythm section. Inspired by the writing of Joni Mitchell, the beginning features Matt Pavolka soloing on bass before an introduction of the melody, followed by a violin solo over a more folk-inspired groove, building intensity with each passing chorus. But with every period of light must come shadow, which in this case is introduced and improvised on by guitarist Adam Rogers in a flurry of notes and rhythm. Violin and guitar eventually combine to return to the first themes of the piece, before a group improvisation brings the track to a close.

Pundit was written during the 2016 election as a reflection of political pundits who change their opinions and narratives on a dime. The tune opens up with an energetic dialogue between Terracciano and drummer Mark Ferber before violin and saxophone state the melody. The piece then goes on into three additional contrasting sections, with each member of the ensemble soloing on a different section and voicing a different opinion before the piece ends on a sudden, disjointed rhythm. 

As a departure from the madness of the previous composition, When I’m In Your Arms Once More is a ballad written as a sort of “song without words”. The ensemble is once again reduced to just quartet, with violin, guitar, and bass playing sensitive, intimate improvisations before the melody comes to a climax.

Case in Point brings the energy back up with a quicker, funkier groove, featuring high-energy solos from guitar and saxophone. As a contrast, Terracciano’s solo begins as just a duet between violin and bass before adding the rhythm back in for a powerful close. The piece concludes with an extended coda featuring a drum solo over the ensemble.

Alfie’s Lullaby is a piece inspired by two of Terracciano’s favorite standards: “Alfie’s Theme” (Oliver Nelson) and “Lullaby of the Leaves” (Petkere/Young). Inspired by big band arrangements, the melody combines together violin, saxophone, and trumpet to mimic a big band sax soli section. After an opening violin solo, Dave Pietro and Mike Rodriguez thrillingly trade fours with each other on saxophone and trumpet before ceding to guitar and bass solos. The “sax soli” eventually closes out the piece on a held note, providing a serene finish to a piece written with a “let’s party” theme!

Originally from Portland, Maine, Gabriel Terracciano is an award winning violinist, composer, and educator. Classically trained from a young age, Gabe has spent his career focusing on playing the violin in a variety of non-classical genres. He has been a member of the two-time Grammy award winning Turtle Island String Quartet since 2018, and is a member of numerous New York-based groups in addition to leading his own trios and quartets. He has played throughout the United States as well as Internationally, including concerts throughout Ghana as a member of the Ghanaian National Symphony Orchestra. He has played, recorded, and/or studied with the likes of John Scofield, Cecil McBee, Tanya Kalmanovitch, Dave Holland, Billy Hart, George Cables, Victor Lewis, Ron McClure, Ari Hoenig, Noah Preminger, Jason Moran, Jerry Bergonzi, and Frank Carlberg. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.