Ferdinando Romano - Invisible Painters

F

Jam/UnJam

Ferdinando Romano is a double bass player, composer and improviser. His reputation has grown since he was chosen in the Top Jazz 2020 (Musica Jazz’s annual Critics Poll) as “Best Italian Rising Star.” “Invisible Painters” is his second album as leader and combines improvised music with his passion for electronic music. All compositions are his except for the final track which is a group composition.

Romano describes the album concept: "The Invisible Painters embody the gesture of artistic creation, the unconscious and instinctive impulse it generates, the invisible hand and brush with which the artist creates extemporaneously" and adds a quote from Edgar Degas - "Only when he no longer knows what he is doing does the painter do good things." As well as jazz and ambient music, inspiration from 20th century classical music is beautifully integrated.

"The dreamers", a soundscape of found samples and electronically treated playing opens the album and is the most obviously electronic track - and highly organised. Other tracks have more of an acoustic, live feel. "Origami playground" is busy and restless, with muscular piano from Elias Stemeseder in Keith Tippett vein. Federico Calcagno adds warm bass clarinet, often in a low register beneath the double bass. "Vortex" has delightfully restless drums from Evita Polidoro, with changing metres alongside a minimalist piano riff then a fluid clarinet tune with kletzmer flavours. Acoustic and electric piano are layered in a subtle blend. The unusual line up is used to great orchestral effect and the electronics are tightly integrated with acoustic sounds, helped by a vivid and natural recording.

Track 4 "La Figurazione delle Cose Invisibili" is the longest at 11.43 and features beautiful Ondes Martenot playing from guest Christine Ott. Tempos shift organically creating emotional peaks and troughs. Extended techniques on clarinets are compelling and the pointilistic arrangements often recall Arnold Schoenberg, Pierre Boulez and Peter Maxwell Davies.

There are no obvious "verse/chorus" forms or jazz chord sequences but neither is there a feeling of free improvisation; the album is very much an inspired conversation between four fine improvisers. "Life story" is a ballad with brilliant unison and imitative playing, and more than a hint of Billy Strayhorn in its stream of consciousness modulations. "Vincent's Room" has a dub feel with slowly evolving bass riffs, delightfully bendy drum sounds and skilfully blended clarinet/piano lines. "Where angels fear to tread" has a Ligeti like piano intro with mysterious sonorities, which expand as the bass and drums add sounds rather like a prepared piano, and the clarinet warbles like a newly discovered folk instrument. A great balance between the playful and profound.

These 8 tracks all have an individual identity but add up to something special. I was captivated enough to listen to the album straight through and left wanting to hear more.

© Stephen Godsall

Musicians:

Ferdinando Romano - double bass, synths, electronics
Elias Stemeseder - piano, Prophet 5, Make Noise O-Coast, Akai MPC
Federico Calcagno - bass clarinet, clarinet
Federico Calcagno - drums
Christine Ott - Ondes Martenot (Track 4)

It is available to stream and buy at BANDCAMP