CD review: Stefano Di Battista – Morricone Stories 2021: Video, CD cover

“Morricone Stories” is a 2021 studio album dedicated to the work of Ennio Morricone, jazz saxophonist Stefano Di Battista featuring a jazz ensemble. The album contains twelve jazz interpretations to music from famous films, and includes the early unreleased track “Flora”.

Stefano Di Battista is an Italian jazz saxophonist, vocalist who plays alto saxophone and soprano saxophone. He has collaborated with such stars as: Daniel Humair, Jimmy Cobb, Walter Booker, Nat Adderly. The musician’s first solo album, “Volare”, was recorded in 1997 via Label Bleu. The album was very successful and was nominated for the Victories de la Musique and Stefano was nominated for Musician of the Year in Italy. In 1998 Stefano signed a contract with the jazz label Blue Note, where he also recorded his second solo album, A “Prima Vista”, which received great acclaim in America. The drummer on this album was Alvin Jones (who played with John Coltrane). Stefano continued recording discs on the label. In 2000, the musician’s eponymous release was released under the name “Stefano Di Battista”.

In 2002 Italian musicians Gabin invited Stefano Di Battista to record three songs for the album “Gabin”. Stefano Di Battista played saxophone parts in “Doo Uap, Doo Uap, Doo Uap”, “Urban Night” and “La Maison (Di Battista’s Dream)”. Having released several albums and established the jazz arena, Di Batista feels a stormy and lyrical energy. One of his releases is dedicated to the work of Charlie Parker. Stefano Di Batista is confidently gaining recognition as the best European jazz artist.

1. Cosa avete fatto a Solange (From “What Have You Done to Solange?”) (3:59)
2. Peur sur la ville (From “Fear over the City”) (3:23)
3. La cosa buffa (4:21)
4. Verushka (4:46)
5. Deborah’s Theme (From “Once Upon a Time in America”) (3:43)
6. Metti, una sera a cena (3:55)
7. Apertura della caccia (From “1900”) (4:57)
8. Il grande silenzio (From “The Great Silence”) (4:16)
9. Flora (2:35)
10. La donna della domenica (From “Sunday Woman”) (6:40)
11. Gabriel’s Oboe (From “The Mission”) (3:30)
12. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (3:32)

Stefano Di Battista (Alto & Soprano Saxophone)
Fred Nardin (Piano)
Daniele Sorrentino (Double Bass)
Andre Ceccarelli (Drums)