A killer set from Italian trumpeter Guido Pistocchi – and one with a very specific old school vibe as well! Pistocchi's going for a 50s California jazz approach here, but one that's also focused on the contributions of Italian-American players Conte Candoli and Tony Fruscella – both of whom are referenced strongly in Guido's approach on his horn, and on the album's choice of tracks! Walter Ricci sings on a few numbers – echoing a bit of Chet Baker's old sound of the 50s – and other cuts are sparkling instrumentals, with Pistocchi on trumpet, Max Ionata on tenor, Gruno Cesselli on piano, Paolo Ghetti on bass, and Marcello Di Leonardo on drums. Title sinclude "Old Hat", "Macedonia", "Zizanie", "You Can't Go Home Again", "Some Day", and "I Can't Get Started". CD

Four friends in Bari, making really beautiful music together – a lineup that features sparkling trumpet from the great Fabrizio Bosso, plus guitar from Guido Di Leone, bass from Giuseppi Bassi, and drums from Mimmo Capanale! The set's got all the subtle charm of Bosso's best work in recent years – that stone classic approach to jazz trumpet – played with a talent that we'd rank right up there with folks like Freddie Hubbard or Art Farmer at their best – set to some inventive arrangements that really make great use of guitar in the place you'd normally find piano in such a group. The change of instrument makes for a nicely gentle quality at times in the rhythms, which seems to make Fabrizio's horn sound even more upfront and soulful – and titles include "E La Chiamano Estate", "King Dorian", "Wide Green Eyes", "Bernie's Tune", "Mack The Knife", and "Nostalgia Di Cuba". CD

Nestico plays with big band, with featured soloists including Eugene Amaro, Ed Bickert, Guido Basso, Jimmy Dale, Dave Young, Jerry Toth, Dave Woods, Ian McDougall, Jerry Johnson, and Bruce Harvey. CD

Nestico plays with big band, with featured soloists including Eugene Amaro, Ed Bickert, Guido Basso, Jimmy Dale, Dave Young, Jerry Toth, Dave Woods, Ian McDougall, Jerry Johnson, and Bruce Harvey. LP, Vinyl record album

Drummer Louis Bellson definitely sounds brilliant here – kicking his large group into full gear with the same sort of energy he brought to dates with famous leaders in the postwar years! All tunes are short, and pretty upbeat – driven strongly by the drums, and featuring arrangements by Bellson, Ernie Wilkins, Bob Florence, and Aaron Sachs. Solos are by Herb Geller on alto, Jack Arnold on boo bam, Aaron Sachs on tenor, and Guido Basso on trumpet – and titles include "Drum Foolery", "Speak Low", "So Long Blues", "The Hawk Talks", "Summer Night", and "Blast Off". LP, Vinyl record album