Nicola Caminiti: Vivid Tales of a Blurry Self-Portrait
Nicola Caminiti

Vivid Tales of a Blurry Self-Portrait is a probing self-examination, a non-chronological inner journey, and a thoughtful reflection by saxophonist Nicola Caminiti on his place in the world. Even if it's by his estimation blurry, the portrait that emerges is clear enough to the listener: this is someone with considerable musical ability as a player and composer who, like any artist, draws from inspiration from the people he's met, the places he's been, and the transformations undergone. The album's a full Caminiti portrait, given that all eleven of its compositions were written by the Italian-born, New York-based musician and produced by him too. Recorded at Big Orange Sheep on June 3rd, 2022, the set features Caminiti wielding alto and soprano and guiding pianist Lex Korten, double bassist Ben Tiberio, and drummer Miguel Russell through their paces.

The crystallization of identity is complicated by the deep history every jazz saxophonist confronts. Not only is Caminiti attempting to reach some modicum of personal self-understanding, he's also trying to stake out a place within the grand tradition of saxophonists. As one, he's voluble, assertive, technically deft, and anything but a shrinking violet. He also embraces the lead role with fervour and elicits inspired performances from his colleagues.

Whereas some tracks allude to emotional states, others reference personal experiences and people he's known. “Crowded Solitude,” for instance, was titled to capture that discomfiting state of feeling alone when surrounded by others, while “Elliptical Biking” references exercise activity he did when lockdown had him stuck in Italy and unable to return to the United States. Elsewhere, “Worlds of Equality (mb)” was written in memory of his late friend Marco Birro, and “Adam Arturo” nods to trumpeter Adam O'Farrill. Collectively the tracks and their titles enable the listener to connect the dots and produce a relatively clear portrait of the saxophonist.

Caminiti's self-released debut album begins auspiciously with an improvisation between saxophone and piano aptly titled “A Fully Blank Canvas.” His polished, resonant tone shines brightly alongside Korten's rippling textures, and the opener's peaceful tone makes for a welcoming portal. Without pause, Vivid Tales of a Blurry Self-Portrait moves into the high-powered “Elliptical Biking,” its intensity and intricate compositional gestures more characteristic of the album. Caminiti's thoughtfulness is evident in the control and circumspection with which ideas are unleashed, which sometimes occurs restrainedly and at other times torrentially. The volcanic, ever-shifting base his partners generate provides a terrific springboard for the leader's imagination, and as furious as his solo is, it's matched by the freewheeling one Korten delivers by way of response. The mood turns introspective for the ballads “Crowded Solitude” and “Worlds of Equality (mb),” during which Caminiti makes as strong an impression on soprano as alto. The performances also show that he and his colleagues are as comfortable inhabiting a lyrical mode as a fire-breathing one; memorable too is the leader's heartfelt solo, whereby one pictures him with eyes shut and thinking of Birro as he's playing.

July 2024