adEIdJ – Associazione delle Etichette Indipendenti di Jazz

Press Release

This project is dedicated to Maurizio Caldura Nunez, nicknamed "Bicio" by his friends, who died at just 39 years old and is considered among the most talented Italian saxophonists ever. It's a tribute strongly wanted by pianist Marcello Tonolo, his close friend and collaborator, to ensure that his music is not forgotten. The two jazzmen shared important albums and stages, even in the United States. Saxophonist Michele Polga, perhaps the best student of Caldura, who was also an appreciated teacher, collaborated on the project. Polga wanted to dedicate Nunez Dance to his mentor; it's a ballad included in the sextet's repertoire, which otherwise only performs compositions by the late saxophonist. Of the nine tunes chosen only Mr PJ, dedicated to Paul Jeffrey, has never been recorded. The band - which is based on the last one led by Caldura on the album "Murrina Latina" - includes, alongside Polga and Tonolo, who was the pianist, two other original members, trombonist Roberto Rossi and double bass player Marc Abrams. The sextet is completed by trumpeter Giampaolo Casati, who takes the place of the never forgotten Marco Tamburini - but even back then he often replaced him - and the young drummer Enrico Smiderle.

Maurizio Caldura Nunez (1959-1998) was an Italian jazz saxophonist - a tenor specialist, but he also played soprano and alto - who grew up musically in Mestre (Venezia) and was known for his work with many important bands in the 1980s and 1990s. He played with Giorgio Gaslini, collaborated with Massimo Donà, Lanfranco Malaguti, Mimmo Cafiero and singer Tiziana Ghiglioni. He was also a member of the Matt Jazz Quintet, led by pianist Luca Flores, and of Keptorchestra, which he co-founded with Pietro and Marcello Tonolo, a big band that recorded three albums and hosted great musicians like Paul Jeffrey, Sal Nistico, Enrico Rava, Lee Konitz, Joe Lovano and Steve Lacy. Caldura released as leader through Caligola the albums "Static Energy" and "Murrina Latina", and founded the Thelonious Monk Music School with Marcello Tonolo in Dolo (Venezia) in 1987. It's among the first and most important music schools in Veneto area, and is still active today in Mira.

 

Track List

01) Goofy's Dance
02) Amigavel
03) Bradipo
04) Groovin' Jones
05) Gothic Legend
06) Ink Stains
07) Weeping Radish (*)
08) Nunez Dance (M. Polga)
09) Mr PJ
10) Silly Samba

All compositions, except otherwise noted, by Maurizio Caldura

(*) only trio without winds 

Personnel

Giampaolo Casati (trumpet) - out on n. 7
Roberto Rossi (trombone) - out on n. 7
Michele Polga (tenor and soprano sax) - out on n. 7
Marcello Tonolo (piano, arrangements)
Marc Abrams (double bass)
Enrico Smiderle (batteria) 

Recording Data

Recorded in November 2024 by Matteo Dall'Aglio, mixed and mastered in December 2024 by Mario Marcassa, at Cat Sound Studio, Badia Polesine (Rovigo), Italy.