Mario Romano: The Journey So Far
Mario Romano

If The Journey So Far feels something like an exercise in ‘channel surfing,' it's easily explained: the album culls material from a number of separate releases by pianist Mario Romano and as such features performances by multiple lineups. The nine-track collection thus offers a wide-ranging account of different styles he's explored over the past decade. The set-list includes everything from sophisticated balladry and Latin workouts to classic quartet jazz, resulting in a compilation that's immensely satisfying on musical grounds and sometimes downright fabulous.

Having established himself as a major player in the real estate industry (the Buenos Aires-born and Toronto-based entrepreneur has been involved in the building of more than 8000 homes in the greater Toronto area and the development of the city's waterfront), Romano turned his focus back to professional music in 2010. In the years since, he's toured overseas, played venues such as Koerner Hall and Lincoln Center, and issued the albums Valentina, Fenyrose Non Dimenticar, And If You Please, and Dina Dance.

A wealth of high-calibre talent appears on the compilation, among them singer Jackie Richardson, drummer Larnell Lewis, trumpeter William Sperandei, and saxophonist Pat LaBarbera; partnering with Romano throughout is esteemed Canadian bassist Roberto Occhipinti, who also produced seven tracks (Peter Cardinali the others). It's the pianist who's the primary connecting thread, however, with his versatile and seasoned playing always thoughtfully attuned to the material. Here's a case where decades of experience and a deep grasp of jazz tradition make a huge difference in the way a musician enhances a performance.

“And If You Please” initiates the release on a monumental high with a vocal performance for the ages by jazz singer Jackie Richardson. In enveloping her soulful voice with a luscious combination of acoustic instruments and orchestral strings, the approach calls to mind Charlie Haden's splendid Quartet West recording Art of the Song with its pairing of Shirley Horn and strings. Romano's piano enhances her vocal beautifully, too, in supporting but not intruding too conspicuously upon it, while a lovely solo by Sperandei's the cherry on top. Shifting gears, “Dina Dance” underlays a sultry vocal by Magda Giannikou with an irresistibly swinging groove by Lewis, an electric-wielding Occhipinti, and percussionist Maninho Costa. Adding to the appeal is a delicious harmonica solo by Roni Eytan, guitar shadings by Reg Schwager, and a tasty electric piano turn by the leader. “Those Damn I Love Yous” then returns the programme to ballad territory, with this time Kristy Cardinali emoting against a strings-drenched backdrop.

More highlights follow, including “Encanto De Mi Niña,” a solo accordion spotlight by Romano, and “Si Tu Quisieras,” whose sultry folk allure's intensified by Adis Rodriguez's passionate vocal. With block chords by Romano calling McCoy Tyner to mind, LaBarbera invests the Coltrane-esque quartet setting “Via Romano” with authoritative swing, after which a mute-bearing Sperandei helps transform “You're My Everything” into a modern-day incarnation of Miles's “All of You” from the 1957 classic ‘Round About Midnight. Sperandei's open horn is also used to equally strong effect on the romantic instrumental treatment of “And If You Please,” during which he embraces fervently the lead role earlier taken by Richardson.

November 2020