Frank
Marocco is the most recorded accordionist in America, having played
on a vast number of movie soundtracks, television scores, commercial
jingles and record albums, in the studios of Hollywood and beyond.
He has recorded for and/or worked with artists ranging from Brian
Wilson, Pink Floyd and Madonna to Luciano Pavarotti, conductor
Maxim Shostakovich and composer John Williams.
He was nominated eight years in
a row for the Most Valuable Player Award by the National Academy
of Recording Arts and Sciences and received that award twice.
Frank is also a consummate jazz artist and a gifted composer with
several of his own albums to his credit. He has played his music
for audiences all over the world.
As
Frank puts it, this recording: "is more of an collection
of music from various cultures. It has everything from an Italian
pop ballad to a Cuban jazz salsa original. This CD features the
accordion in a variety of settings, most with an ethnic world
music feel, much jazz improvisation, and many original songs with
different rhythmic grooves
."
Frank Marocco would be one of the
best jazz accordionists I have ever heard. The combination of
Frank's velvety, full-bodied, warm tone, and his superb improvisation
skills, ensure this recording to be a real jazz treat. To me,
the music is all about the tone. The higher the tone culture -
the more tone colours the artist is able to create and the greater
the variety of emotions the artist is able to express through
its performance.
The first thing I noticed about
Frank's playing was his amazing tonal culture. His tone is concentrated
and concise on one hand, and on the other is warm, even nostalgic
at times. The contribution of Frank's band should be fully recognized
- they are experienced musicians, skillful and professional, no
doubt about that.
This is a recording of the highest
musical standard. Jazz accordion at its best. *****
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