OPEN SPACE QUARTET - Claude Bolling: Suite nr. 2 for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio Cd

Claude Bolling (1930), virtuoso pianist and composer, was among the first to realize in his pieces an original contamination in perfect balance between jazz – in its most standard form, the jazz trio – and classical music – with particular reference to J.S. Bach. In the titles of his extensive production we often find the word 'suite', which indicates the classical element, followed by 'jazz trio'. He composes therefore pieces dedicated to traditional instruments (for instance violin, cello, flute, trumpet) in collaboration with solists such as cellist Yo-Yo Ma and violinist and conductor Pinchas Zukerman. In Bolling’s suites each note of the improvisation parts is written, including the full cadenza for the leading instrument. However, very often the pianists deviate from the score in order to introduce personal variations and improvisations. For these reasons, the music of Bolling is attracting growing interest from the public of jazz music and of classical and chamber music as well.
The second suite for flute and jazz piano trio was composed in 1984 for the flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal, a great interpreter of the 'serious' music of the twentieth century. The suite, in eight movements and of the total duration of about 60 minutes, is a tipical expression of the style of this composer: pieces fast and very demanding in rhythmic are alternating with more calm and melodic ones, even endearing segments (in fact Bolling is also an appreciated soundtrack composer). The titles of the single movements suggest this alternation as well as the awareness of Bolling in dealing with humor and spirit of innovation elements of the chamber music and of jazz tradition: espiègle, amoureuse, entr'amis, vagabonde, pastorale, affectueuse, intime, jazzy.
Already in 2000 Cinzia Gizzi and Carlo Bordini have recorded the cello suite (dedicated to Yo-Yo Ma), with Massimo Bastetti (cello) and Mauro Battisti (bass). The recording of the second suite for flute ideally continues this first meeting with Bolling. In the spirit of the composer and of his tendency to experiment and to combine classical and jazz music, the first and last movement include spaces of improvisation for bass and for drums. The same choice of the name Open Space Quartet meant to suggest these openings and contaminations.
Cinzia Gizzi is an established jazz pianist and professor of piano jazz at the Conservatorio of Latina (and formerly of L’Aquila); Carlo Bordini combines the experience in jazz and in classical music as a percussionist in the Orchestra of Rome Opera; Pino Sallusti has played together with eminent jazz musicians, including George Coleman, Gary Bartz, Jimmy Owens, and with the symphony orchestras of Lazio and Molise; Iolanda Zignani, flautist and teacher, earned her musical education in Rome (Santa Cecilia), Pescara and Siena (Accademia Chigiana), and she dedicated part of her thesis and the recital of her graduation to Claude Bolling.