| Jazz |
Bobby Selvaggio is a saxophonist and composer who invites you to his new album, which is aimed at an informed audience due to its complex musical composition. However, don’t let that deter you, as it’s an excellent album. A veteran of the New York jazz scene, now dedicating his passion to advancing the jazz scene in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, Bobby Selvaggio and his ensemble of 11 musicians return for an emotional and memorable journey through the annals of fatherhood with “Stories, Dreams, Inspirations: For My Boy.” This marks the 12th recording as a leader for this jazz maestro. Described as “among the best musicians of the moment” by Kenny Werner and “one of the few saxophonists on the current scene who captures you with his strong presence, focus, and sound” by Joe Lovano, Selvaggio has honed his art under the tutelage of Joe Lovano, Dick Oatts, Maria Schneider, and Bobby Watson with great effect as a saxophonist and composer. Today, Selvaggio brings together the best and brightest of the Cleveland jazz scene in various ensemble iterations and orchestrations to musically paint the narratives and joyful parental experiences Selvaggio has had the privilege to live over the past 25 years.
Bobby Selvaggio has composed seven stories with evocative titles, one of which is inspired by Martin Luther King’s speech “I Have A Dream” for the following reason: it describes “the kind of world I want for my son.” This piece is dedicated to the dream that Dr. King articulated and how it inspired the composer and countless others to begin realizing this world for their children. The piece features Selvaggio on soprano saxophone and notably includes Orlando Watson with a featured spoken word performance, paying homage to the speech from which the piece drew its origin.
With such references, the saxophonist’s child will certainly be as knowledgeable as his parents, as it cannot be emphasized enough that it is on a broad cultural and knowledge base that every individual is built, and this is what sets us apart from animals. With arrangements as impressive as the writing itself of these works, the saxophonist also draws on our culture, whisking us into universes that, like short films, inspire us, speak to us, and compel us to appreciate this current form of jazz that effortlessly weaves a connection with jazz of the past without overdoing it. Eleven radiant, fantastic artists who delicately wield an extreme intelligence, offering sumptuous settings for the soloists, make this album somewhat akin to a work of art. And there’s no reason to be surprised because Bobby Selvaggio thus honors his offspring. Indeed, is there a more beautiful way to do so?
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, March 20th 2024
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https://youtu.be/du0Qqvfl1L4
The team is made up of :
Bobby Selvaggio – alto & soprano saxophones, all compositions/arrangements
Chris Coles – tenor saxophone
John Klayman – tenor saxophone (tracks 3, 5)
Tony Spicer – tenor saxophone, bass clarinet (tracks 1, 2, 4, 6, 7)
Brad Wagner – baritone saxophone, flute (tracks 1, 2, 4, 6, 7)
Dave Kasper – baritone saxophone (tracks 3, 5)
Tommy Lehman – trumpet, flugelhorn
Mark Russo – trumpet, flugelhorn
Chris Anderson – trombone (tracks 1, 2, 4, 6, 7)
Caleb Smith – trombone (tracks 3, 5)
Zach Warren – trombone
Theron Brown – piano (tracks 1, 2, 4, 6, 7)
Joey Skoch – piano (tracks 3, 5)
Paul Thompson – bass
Zaire Darden – drums (tracks 1, 2, 4, 6, 7)
James Johnson III – drums (tracks
Chelsea Selvaggio – vocals (tracks 2, 4)
Orlando Watson – spoken word (track 4)
Recorded September 11, 2021 and September 2, 2023
Recorded at Kent Stark
Producer: Bryan Kennard
Executive Producer: Bobby Selvaggio
Recorded and Mixed by Ian Z. Anderson
Mastered by Kent Heckman at Red Rock Recording
Front cover drawing by Amber Dimoff
Back cover photograph by Heidi M. Rolf
Back cover design by Shawn Gilbert