CD Review: Rome In A Day - 5 After 4

Year: 2011

Style: Comtemporary Jazz

Label: Alma Records

Musicians: Johnny Johnson - saxophone; Matt Horner - piano, rhodes, organ; Peter Cardinali - bass, organ, horn arrangements; Vito Rezza - drums.

5 AFTER 4: Rome In A Day
CD cover photo:
Courtesy of opusonereview.com

CD review: The much extolled Toronto Jazz Combo, 5 AFTER 4, include in their sixth album all the ingredients for a ground-breaking, sizzling, vigorous, artistic success. It has the immediate appeal and biting musical grip of a gust of pristine arctic wind. Abundantly supplied with bold, freewheeling originals, it is  assured of freshness with  'one of a kind' spontaneity, "...guaranteed by the fact that 5 After 4 don't even rehearse the material." And as keyboardist Matt Horner adds, executed by musicians who,  "...live in the moment and catch the vibe." 

"Rome In A Day" consists of eleven original, diverse CD tracks, six composed by founder/drummer Vito Rezza, four by keyboardist Matt Horner, and one (Animal Crackers) credited to all the band members; in total signifying a close personal and professional relationship within the group that undoubtedly enhance and embellish the joy, excitement, exploration and growth of their music. This closeness can't help but be noticed in the wrapped cohesiveness of Vito Rezzo's drums and Peter Cardinali's bass (10,000 days; Balena).

The concept of 'Rome In A Day,' comes from an excitement-packed September day (12 hours walking), during which Peter Cardinali showed Rome to Vito Rezza (Rezza was born in Italy, but left as a child to live in Canada). This adds a double measure of excitement, suspense and wonderful mystery to be realized from the sights and sounds poured into this CD.

In September, Rome's Mediterranean climate is mild, warm, invigorating; the tourists are everywhere, all the shops and restaurants are open; and beautiful people move and talk with engaging energy, as captured with the brightly painted colors in the melody wafting from Johnny Johnson's sax (10,000 days; Balena).

Bassist Peter Cardinali

A brisk, exhilarating walk with Peter Cardinali's bass (Top Hat) takes in the Colosseum to marvel at this historic amphitheatre built by Roman Emperors Vespasian and Titus for a long-gone great civilization, and from somewhere in the mystical depths of its jagged structures and hypogeum, Mat Horner's pensive piano and Vito Rezza's soothing brush strokes (Lee's Mystery) beckon for a look at the monument to Vittorio Emanuel II and simultaneously invite a visit to The Castel Sant'Angelo.

The great Piazza della Republica is wide, grand, bright and reassuring as it unfolds from the clear horn of Johnny Johnson and Matt Horner's piano and organ (Mr. Govindas), opening the way for a visit to St. Peter's Basilica, The Trevi Fountain, and an aerial view of the city's Historic Center materializing like dreams coming true out of the unbelievable sense of harmony and exquisite melody heard in the compositions of Matt Horner (African Love Affair), and Vito Rezza (Rome In A Day).

Drummer Vito Rezza

Even though Vito Rezza left Italy when he was a child, he probably never forgot the food; the aromas; the taste. Exploring this aspect of the Italy's culture during the 12 hour walk with Peter Cardinali, must have been simply breathtaking, not to mention deeply enjoyable, taking him back to childhood on the simple, uncluttered strains of (And The Children Sing) as he sampled the fine Italian cuisine at Sicilianbocca on the Via Emilio Faa Di, known for its seafood specialties of Caponata and desserts of Cannoli; or at 'Gusto on the Piazza Augusto Imperatore; the terrace view would add to the pleasure of indulging in the fine art of eating great pizza.

Saxophonist Johnny Johnson

On the Via del Boschetto is the homely family-run restaurant, Il Posto Accanto, known for its fresh fruit, vegetables, ravioli and fish. Vito would hardly have remembered riso con fiori di zucca (risotto with courgette flowers), but Hostaria Costanza in the Piazza del Paradiso, has it as one of their main dishes.

Finally, to retread famous footsteps, there is the historic Gelateria Giolitti on Via degli Uffici del Vicario, where Gregory Peck took Audrey Hepburn in the 1953 movie "Roman Holiday" to satisfy her sweet tooth on their sorbets and creamy combinations. All of which were sure to make Vito Rezza exclaim loudly (Golly G).

Pianist Matt Horner

Vito is blessed with terrific friends and a great band. They have managed to produce a rich treasure trove of music that complements their profound talents as musicians/composers and is as diverse as the (The Changing of  Seasons). Cardinali has played with jazz greats like Joey DeFrancesco, Terry Lynne Carrington, Guido Basso and Phil Dwyer. Rezza has worked with Harmonica Virtuoso Toots Thielemans, Michael Brecker, Joey DeFrancesco, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, bassist Richard Bona, Rick James, Ray Charles, fellow Canadian piano master Oscar Peterson and others. Johnny Johnson has accompanied Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack, Dianne Reeves, plus Canadian stars Diana Krall, Holly Cole and Molly Johnson.

"Rome In A Day" by 5 AFTER 4, is not only conceptually rich, replete with music played by exceptionally talented artists, totally original in its compositions, and as diverse as two countries can be on different sides of the globe, but what is absolutely irresistible about this CD, was articulated eloquently by Vito Rezza, "It is more of a group record, with no special guests."  

Track Listing: 10,000 Days; Balena; Top Hat; Lee's Mystery; Mr. Govinas; African Love Affair; Rome In A Day; And The Children Sang; Golly G; Changing of Seasons; Animal Crackers.   

Recorded at the Bathouse in Bath, Ontario, Canada.
Engineered by Aaron Holmberg.
Additional Recording by John "Beetle" Bailey.
Digital Editing: Mat Pataki.
Mixed by John "Beetle" Bailey at the Drive Shed, Toronto.
Mastered by George Seara.
Design by Paul Sych, faith.ca

Produced by Peter Cardinali