| Smooth Jazz |
What can we expect from an album produced by a musician whose career includes working alongside titans of the music industry,Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Diana Ross, Sammy Davis Jr., and Liza Minnelli, just to name a few?
We can expect elegance. Sophistication. And a refined sense of musical storytelling that comes from decades spent not just playing music, but living it, on stages, in studios, behind the scenes of some of America’s most iconic performances.
Domenic “Dom” Cicchetti delivers just that kind of experience on his latest album: a polished, smooth jazz journey rich with texture and layered emotion. A composer whose résumé includes scoring for television staples like NBC Sports, All My Children, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, and whose piano work elevated the haunting beauty of “I Only Have Eyes for You” in Robert De Niro’s A Bronx Tale, in a timeless duet with saxophonist Gerry Niewood, Cicchetti brings a deep cinematic sensibility to everything he touches.
And this album is no exception. It’s a distillation of everything Cicchetti has absorbed and refined over decades. Rich, polished production. Meticulously crafted arrangements. Melodies that linger long after the track ends. Though rooted in smooth jazz, the album never slips into the overly saccharine or predictable—thanks to Cicchetti’s knack for atmosphere and texture, and his exceptional command of the synthesizer, which gives the album its shimmering, signature tone. It’s easy to imagine this album, had it been released in the 1980s, landing a spot on a major label’s roster. That’s how strong the production values are.
And yet, for all its musical complexity, this album is remarkably accessible. You don’t need a music degree to appreciate the nuances, just a good set of ears and an appreciation for mood and melody.
On the track “Sunlight,” for instance, it came as no surprise to hear the unmistakable voice of saxophonist and flutist Felipe Salles—a musician I recently wrote about in connection with his superb release Camera Obscura, reviewed here. Musicians of this caliber often cross paths, and when they do, sparks tend to fly.
As for Cicchetti’s past work as a bandleader, it’s worth noting the arc of his discography: Sunrise (1979), Mirage (2008), Open Road (2015), each album distinct, each exploring a different facet of his musical identity. It’s difficult to pin Cicchetti down to a single genre or school of thought. Like many artists forged in the heat of session work, he moves effortlessly from style to style, fluent in the language of groove, mood, and melody.
This album stands comfortably alongside the finest recent works in the smooth jazz genre, albums by the likes of George Duke, Jeff Lorber, or Fourplay. But what sets it apart is its subtlety. No instrument clamors for the spotlight; everything serves the composition. Like MFSB in their prime, Cicchetti understands that the true star is the ensemble—and the story the music tells.
Thierry De Clemensat
Member at Jazz Journalists Association
USA correspondent for Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief – Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, June 3rd 2025
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Tracklist :
1. Jump To It (4:35)
Piano, Keyboards, Synth – Domenic Cicchetti
Guitar – Jon Herington
Bass – Paul Adamy
Drums – Dave Weckl
Percussion – Bill Hayes
2. Candy Apple (4:14)
Piano, Keyboards, Synth – Domenic Cicchetti
Guitar- Jon Herington
Bass – Paul Adamy
Drums – Wes Little
Percussion – Bill Hayes
3. PCH (4:10)
Piano, Keyboards, Synth – Domenic Cicchetti
Sax and Flute – Paula Atherton
Bass – Paul Adamy
Drums – Tom Pisani
Percussion – Bill Hayes
4. Sunlight (4:29)
Piano, Synth, Nylon Guitar – Domenic Cicchetti
Electric Guitars – Mick Gaffney
Acoustic Bass – David Finck
Sax & Flute – Felipe Salles
Drums – Wes Little
Percussion – Bill Hayes
5. Intricate Journey (4:53)
Piano, Keyboards, Synth – Domenic Cicchetti
Guitar – Jon Herington
Flute – Jerry Vivino
Bass – Paul Adamy
Drums – Dave Weckl
Percussion – Bill Hayes
6. Ode to A Friend (3:17)
Piano, Keyboards, Synth – Domenic Cicchetti
Sax – Baron Raymonde
Guitar – John Henderson
Synth Bass – Domenic Cicchetti
Drums & Percussion – Frank Dickinson
7. Night Time (4:43)
Piano, Keyboards, Synth – Domenic Cicchetti
Guitar – Dave Lavender
Synth Bass – Domenic Cicchetti
Digital Drums – Domenic Cicchetti
Percussion – Bill Hayes
CREDITS:
Artist: Domenic Cicchetti
Album: Candy Apple
Label: Nyack Records