JOURNEY The dictionary defines jazz as “an American music characterized by improvisation, syncopated rhythms, contrapuntal ensemble playing, and special melodic features peculiar to the individual interpretation of the player.” However, with the advent of the “new” wave of jazz, it is no wonder that jazz has permeated the surface and is crossing over into R and B and pop bag. Even the middle of the road stations are readily accepting jazz today by musicians and artists that five years ago would never stand a chance for programing. One of these such artists is Carl Rigoli. His vibes has been ringing pleasantries in the ears of the underground followings for years. He has surfaced presenting a definite Journey of which will turn on audiences that reach no bounds. Fusing his mellow, yet sometimes romantic tonal quality to today’s sound can only win him recognition and praise in circles unknown to the smokey jazz halls and clubs. Carl Rigoli, armed with vibes in hand, musically illuminates a room to create a sound that the jazz pro can identify as Carl, while a new audience can listen to the same C D and reap musical benefits of happiness. Allan Alper is a composer, conductor and arranger. His credits include motion pictures, television and music director for such stars as Debbie Reynolds, Jim Nabors, Mitzi Gaynor and Florence Henderson. So this collaboration between Rigoli and Alper has resulted in some of the most beautiful, throughly ingratiating music it has been my pleasure to listen to. Each of the selections that feature the string arrangements by Alper is suffused with a lyric charm, tenderness, an unabashed romanticism that takes one’s breath away. Yet not only is the music remarkable for its delicacy and subtlety of interaction, it is immediately appealing for its manifest loveliness. John Rodby has everything covered: technique, great feeling, style and grace. He couples unabashed ebullience with awesome technical skill. Richard Maloof is an outstanding musician and a fine economical bass artist. JOURNEY There is an innocent and appealing thread of melancholy in almost everything Carl Rigoli plays. It is quality together with his tooled lyricism that makes this trip warm, witty, and consistently engaging. Maloof’s climbing, dark hued bass figures perks things up. CROSS CURRENTS There is a musical conversation between Rigoli and Rodby that is filled with fantastic ideas. The solos are the right length to avoid the pitfall of repetitiveness, and there is sufficient tonal and stylistic variety in the vibes and piano work also to prevent this. But more important there is blithe, free-wheeling quality. FRICK AND FRACK Maloof offers a tasteful, percussive base with a lustrous sound in a crisply stated solo during which he achieves a shrill sound that is at the very best, distinctive. GIOVANNI’S CANZONE ( Johnny’s Song ) opens with a clean, firm touch and commendable clarity from the piano of Rodby as he moves through the varying demands of this tune by Rigoli with ease and strength of invention that is staggering and all seems to come naturally, to breathe and flower inevitably. SOMETIMES Composed by Allan Alper is an ad-lib performance that includes Rigoli’s solo. The strings are attractive colors and accents that are strong and urgent. The thing that impresses one about Rigoli’s playing is its sureness, the strength that comes of knowing his musical instrument. TWILIGHT It is a delight in listening to Rigoli simply meander flawlessly through this ballad. I find the music particularly adventurous, moving and even strikingly charming. SIMPLY ELEGANT The tasteful persuasive accompaniment by Rodby, Maloof, Mark Stevens, and the strings applied by Allan Alper all add to the swooping bass, the clear, incisive yet delicate ring of the cymbal, the sparkling piano and the heart-throb vibes. This is beautiful music of many moods, feelings-thoughtful, gentle, dream-like. Yet there are moments when it erupts with fire and pulsating excitement that compels one’s attention. Rigoli is a tremendous gifted composer and arranger, and here he writes as if he were picturing scenes and incidence dear to him, drawing on a store of treasured memories and setting them to music. There is a golden lost-in-time feeling in each song that seems to invite the listener to daydream-to reflect and meditate. NOTES BY: JOHNNY ADAMS JAZZ RADIO PERSONALITY A WRITER A TEACHER AND JAZZ CONSULTANT TO CLINT EASTWOOD CARMEL HIGHLANDS, CA. Vibraphonist Carl Rigoli, always searching for new avenues of musical expression, has recorded a new CD, JOURNEY, featuring his quartet surrounded by strings. Six of the seven selections are Rigoli’s compositions, and the string arrangements enhance the lyrical and romantic qualities of his music. The quartet features Rigoli on vibes, John Rodby on piano, Richard Maloof on bass, and Mark Stevens on drums. The string arrangements are by Allan Alper, and realized by John Sawoski on synthesizer. The music is mellow, sensuous and lush, and takes the listener down a musical path the quartet hasn't taken before. The recording was a labor of love for all involved. Allan Alper A TRIBUTE TO THE MUSICIANS ON JOURNEY John Rodby, Richard Maloof, Mark Stevens and I have been playing jazz together for over twenty years. We have recorded many C Ds, & performed in concert and jazz clubs in Los Angeles, California.. John, Richard and Mark formulate the best rhythm section that I have ever had the pleasure of playing music with. They are not only great individual instrumentalists, but are always listening carefully to add to the style & flavor... supporting every nuance of the ensemble as a whole. Listening to their accompaniment while I improvise allows me to play freely and creatively. They are always there supporting and creating... and it is usually on the first take! John Rodby is the Rolls Royce of piano players. John is in complete command of his instrument and he is a superb solists, accompanist, composer, arranger and conductor. It is a honor to play music with him. Richard Maloof always lays down the bass lines with a groove... playing all the choice notes, improvising creative solos and always supporting everyone in the group. Mark Stevens is probably the most sensitive, listening, creative and cooking drummer I know. He lays down the time with a sparkling feel always adding new and interesting sounds that enhance any tune we play. Allan Alper’s string arrangements are sensitively written, enrich and allow the music to float by supporting the melodies or solos. His string writing enhances the music creatively but never gets in anyone’s way. Allan masterfully mixed and blended all the instruments formulating a wonderful harmonious musical balance. John Sawoski’s superbly executes the string arrangements that add to the C D’s wonderful sounds. Carl Rigoli )