CD review: Dante Melena – Little Things in Many Things 2021: Video, CD cover

The disc offers eight original songs in which the happy compositional vein of the leaders is combined with the excellent artistic stature of their travel companions. The tracklist is completed by a heartfelt reinterpretation of the song “Ada”, a tribute to the composer and friend Alfredo Impullitti, who died prematurely but never forgotten.

The co-written project reveals a new and captivating sound with influences ranging from Jazz to Funky. Walter Gaeta (piano, electric piano and arrangements) and Dante Melena (drums) are joined by the sax by Gianluca Caporale and by the bass by Maurizio Rolli and Emanuele Di Teodoro and in some pieces by Alex Sipiagin (trumpet), Diana Torto (voice), Mauro De Federicis (electric guitar), Jorge Gabriel Ro ‘(trumpet and flugelhorn) and Marco Salvatore (alto sax).

Graduated in piano and composition studies, Walter Gaeta in 2006 obtained the II level Academic Diploma in Jazz Music with full marks and honors at the “Santa Cecilia” conservatory in Rome. Dynamic and original musician capable of expressing himself in a melodic, rhythmic and authentic pianism. In his compositions he combines different colors and languages ​​creating unexplored spaces in continuous evolution. His musical research is unpredictable and courageous. He has recorded several CDs, published his compositions and didactic texts. He has collaborated with: Massimo Moriconi, Fabrizio Bosso, Max Ionata, Paolo Damiani, Thomas Sheret, Rachel Gould, Paola Lorenzi, Pedro Mena Peraza, Sherrita Duran, Cheryl Nickerson, Marco Tamburini, C. Arena, Kelly Joyce, Saba Anglana and many others . He has played in numerous important solo festivals and with his own ensembles in Italy and abroad. As arranger and composer he has always distinguished himself arriving in the final at Barga Jazz, Piacenza Jazz and winning the first prize with his quartet at the “Sound Track” competition in Foligno.

Dante Melena attends some of the best Italian and foreign schools (Saint Louis Jazz School, Jazz University Terni, C. P. M Siena, Drummers Collective New York) as well as numerous Master Classes. Currently he carries out an intense didactic activity at the Civic school of Vasto, the New Municipal School of Music in Montesilvano, the Sound ville of Rome and others. Since 2008 he has been a drum teacher at the “Gessopalena Jazz” seminars organized by the “Armando Manzi” Music Association. From 2003 to 2006 he collaborates with the guitarist Gianfranco Continenza with whom he recorded “The past inside the present” disc made with the collaboration of Bill Evans & Scott Kinsey, produced by “Esc Records” also collaborates with Antonio Onorato, Sherrita Duran, with which has recorded some songs of the CD “Compilation 2009” Kelly Joyce, Linda Valori and many others. Since 2008 he is endorser Pearl and Sabian.

1. Travel Days
2. Golden Storm
3. Prelude
4. Rondo’ for Max
5. A Volte Capita
6. Obsession
7. Ada
8. Hello Sun
9. M.M

Walter Gaeta (piano, electric piano and arrangements) and Dante Melena (drums) are joined by the sax by Gianluca Caporale and by the bass by Maurizio Rolli and Emanuele Di Teodoro and in some pieces by Alex Sipiagin (trumpet), Diana Torto (voice), Mauro De Federicis (electric guitar), Jorge Gabriel Ro ‘(trumpet and flugelhorn) and Marco Salvatore (alto sax).