Enrico Granafei IT’S HARD TO SAY GOODBYE
ENRICO GRANAFEI
IT’S HARD TO SAY GOODBYE
CAP Records
Enrico Granafei, harmonica/guitar/vocals/shaker/composer; Neil Alexander, keyboards; Amina Figarova, piano/keyboards/Fender Rhodes/composer; Mike Longo, piano; Takashi Otsuka, Christian Fabian & Greg Jones, bass; Gordon Lane, Sylvia Cuenca, & Richie Morales, drums; Diego Lopez, tambourine; Annette Aguilar, percussion; Claudio Roditi, flugelhorn.
Enrico Granafei is a multi-talented musician who has mastered the guitar, the hands-free chromatic harmonica, and he can also sing, arrange and compose. He has a degree in classical guitar from the Conservatory of L’Aquila, Italy and a master’s degree in jazz performance from the Manhattan School of Music where he was mentored by the iconic Toots Thielemans. As you can see, from the ‘live’ video above, when he performs the music of Stevie Wonder Enrico sounds like a small band instead of a solo artist.
The first song on this new album whisks me to Brazil with Latin persuasion. the percussion is provided generously by Gordon Lane on drums and Diego Lopez on tambourine. Enrico Granafei sings sweetly on harmonica, unfolding the beautiful melody with support from the amazing Claudio Roditi on flugelhorn.
Granafei has performed in jazz clubs of the world, including the Blue Note, Birdland, and the Bottom Line. He has explored many genres of music and is well-known in Italy, Germany and all over the United States. On this album release, he offers us several of his original compositions.
Track #2 features a composition by his pianist, Amina Figarova, who is a tour de force in her own right. Her song is “Night Train” and the arrangement offers Sylvia Cuenca a spotlight to show off her mad drum skills. But the star of this show is always Enrico Granafei, sparkling with innovation on his harmonica. Although he is a master of the guitar, Enrico has spent the last few years perfecting his innovative technique on the chromatic harmonica.
During this album repertoire, Granafei plays three of Toots Thielman’s compositions including “Bluesette,” “To My Lady” and the album’s title tune “It’s Hard to Say Goodbye.” This is a lovely tribute to his mentor, Toots Thielman, as well as an outstanding way to showcase Granafei’s own awesome composer and arranger talents.
Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil
Buy Us a Cup of Coffee!
Join the movement in supporting Making a Scene, the premier independent resource for both emerging musicians and the dedicated fans who champion them.
We showcase this vibrant community that celebrates the raw talent and creative spirit driving the music industry forward. From insightful articles and in-depth interviews to exclusive content and insider tips, Making a Scene empowers artists to thrive and fans to discover their next favorite sound.
Together, let’s amplify the voices of independent musicians and forge unforgettable connections through the power of music
Make a one-time donation
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearly
