On
February 3, 2015, Anzic Records proudly releases the much-anticipated fourth
recording from drummer/composer Ernesto Cervini, titled Turboprop. On the heels
of his third album, There, which featured his quartet recorded live at the
Cellar Jazz Club in Vancouver, BC, Cervini added two incredible musicians to
the fold to create an exciting new sextet he calls Turboprop. The band is
comprised of his working quartet with Joel Frahm (tenor saxophone), Adrean
Farrugia (piano), Dan Loomis (bass) & Ernesto Cervini (drums), plus Tara
Davidson (alto & soprano saxophone) and William Carn (trombone). The sound
of Turboprop, produced by Oded Lev-Ari, is sophisticated and soaring,
reminiscent of the hard swinging Jazz Messenger bands of Art Blakey, and able
to offer an extraordinarily wide range of repertoire; from Charlie Parker to
Claude Debussy, plus originals from all the band members. Turboprop has already
toured Canada to rave reviews, and will be celebrating the release with
concerts across Canada and the U.S. (see below for dates).
Cervini,
who Hank Shteamer of Time Out New York called, "a tastefully buoyant
drummer as well as a sharp composer and bandleader", conceived of
Turboprop as blades of a propeller that work together in synergy, moving an
aircraft powerfully through the sky. Cervini elaborates, "by combining the
experience and artistry of these musicians, the music takes flight with a force
and energy that only a sextet can bring. This band has been a wonderful conduit
for my compositions and arrangements and all of the members have taken a very
personal approach to the pieces, embracing the emotion and sentiment that this
group brings to every note we play." Producer Lev-Ari added that, "I
was really excited to produce this album, as I love a 3-piece front line, and
it's a sound that is rarely heard anymore. I knew it would be a strong vehicle
for Ernesto's writing and arranging. Since the band had just gotten back from a
tour days before getting into the studio, the music was well-rehearsed and had
this unmistakable 'live' feeling. We captured great performances, and could
easily fill two albums with strong music. Ernesto is simply an incredible
musician and bandleader and this recording really captures his essence as a
multifaceted creative force."
Highlights
on Turboprop include, "Cheer Up Charlie", a lovely ballad from the
film Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, that Cervini and his wife sing to their
baby boy; "Three Angels", another very special piece for Cervini,
composed for his three nieces who passed away unexpectedly; and the third
ballad on the album called "Marion Theresa", which was written for
Cervini's grandmother.
Turboprop
however is anything but an all ballads album, and, "Cervini exemplifies
'float like a butterfly, sting like a bee' . . . turning drums into a
rainforest symphony"- Ken Micallef, DownBeat Magazine. Sprinkled around
these emotional compositions are upbeat, anthemic tunes including,
"Unnecessary Mountain", which was named after a mountain in the Rockies;
"Bindi Bop", inspired by Cervini's trip to Australia; "Fear of
Flying", which Cervini wrote for all those with Pteromerhanophobia; and
"De Molen", a great burner by saxophonist Joel Frahm.
In
addition to the compelling originals, Turboprop also sunk their teeth into some
"standard" tunes that they love to play, including "Red
Cross" by Charlie Parker, and "The Windup" by Keith Jarrett, and
Cervini's arrangement of the gorgeous Claude Debussy piano etude, "The
Engulfed Cathedral".
There's
an old saying in aviation; "Accidents happen when you run out of
experience." In the case of Turboprop, the music is clearly in good hands.
More
on Ernesto Cervini: Innovative and electrifying, Toronto jazz drummer Ernesto
Cervini, who has shared the stage with many legendary musicians such as Joe
Lovano, Clark Terry, Benny Golson, Cleo Laine, Pat LaBarbera, Dick Oatts, Buddy
DeFranco, Eddie Daniels, Scott Robinson, Dave Binney, Jim McNeely, and many
others, has energy to burn, whether radiating it from behind his drums or
working on any number of musical and educational projects. Cervini's diversity
as a musician (he is also an excellent pianist and clarinetist) has allowed him
to travel throughout the world, performing in some of the world's greatest jazz
venues such as Smalls, Birdland, The Jazz Standard, The 55 Bar, The Montreal
Bistro, The Top Of the Senator, The Rex Jazz and Blues Club, and also many of
the world's most prestigious concert halls, such as Massey Hall, The Glen Gould
Theatre, The St. Lawrence Center for the Arts and the Sugita Theatre in
Yokohama, Japan. His second album, Little Black Bird, recorded with his quartet
was celebrated loudly by DownBeat Magazine with a four-star review. His joyous
and engaging third recording, There, released in 2011, is now followed up on
with the artist's most irresistible work to date, Turboprop (Anzic Records,
February 3, 2015).
Ernesto
Cervini - Turboprop - CD Release Celebrations:
February
19th - 21st - The Jazz Bistro, Toronto, ON
February
28th - The Jazz Room, Kitchener, ON
March
13 - The Yardbird Suite, Edmonton, AB
March
14 - The Bassment, Saskatoon, SK
March
17 - The Arts Station, Fernie, BC
March
19 - The Avalanche Bar & Grill - Georgia Straight Jazz Society, Courtenay,
BC March 20 - Hermann's - Victoria Jazz Society, Victoria, BC
March
21 - Pat's Pub, Vancouver, BC
