PAPATAMUS REDUX

JMOOD 025 (RELEASED SEPTEMBER 1, 2025)

What kind of pianist is Roberto Magris? This rare solo recording from the Italian jazz master answers that question.  Roberto Magris is an investigative pianist. Unencumbered from a rhythm section and free from his outstanding arrangements for larger ensembles, Magris gets the opportunity to investigate the nooks and crannies of some often-overlooked jazz classics as well as one original on Lovely Day(s). “Blues Clues,” a Magris original, investigates the colors of the blues with the soulfulness of Abdullah Ibrahim, the explosive power of Don Pullen, the swing of Elmo Hope and the nitty gritty of Les McCann. Magris investigates the beauty of two Andrew Hill compositions on this session — “Reverend Du Bop” (which he recorded on his Kansas City Outbound trio session) and “Laverne” (which he recorded with bassist Eric Hochberg on Shuffling Ivories). Magris adds his flourishes and flurries to the dark melody of “Reverend Du Bop” while delivering “Laverne” in a classic ballad manner, varying chordal sections with fleet single note runs. Magris’ respect for Thelonious Monk’s sense of musical humor and harmonic adventure is evident on his investigations of “Bemsha Swing’ (another tune he did on Kansas City Outbound) and “Let’s Cool One.” Magris has often investigated under-recorded jazz compositions such as Billy Gault’s “The Time of the World is at Hand,” a quirky waltz that he embellishes with his Monk like runs in the right hand while maintaining a steady ¾ bass line in his left. Leonard Bernstein’s “Lonely Town” and Bill Strayhorn’s “A Flower is a Lovesome Thing” (both tunes he has recorded in the past) are treated with the beauty and passion they deserve. Magris breaths new life into Steve Kuhn’s “Saga of Harrison Crabfeathers” by investigating the dreamy melody with powerful runs and knotty passages. Lovely Day(s) shows a facet of Magris that has yet to be fully explored on his previous recordings as he investigates the melodies, harmonies and rhythms of nine tunes with a deep sense of passion, joy and elan. It’s time for you to investigate the solo work of Roberto Magris on Lovely Day(s).

BOTTOM LINE:  The cover of Roberto Magris’ Lovely Day(s) is an analogy to the music you will hear on this rare solo recording from an Italian jazz master.  Much like the image of a lone man contemplating the structure of the bridge above him. Magris contemplates all the nooks and crannies of nine tunes include two by Andrew Hill, two by Thelonious Monk as well as some over-looked jazz compositions and an original blues.