BOBBY SELVAGGIO 11

STORIES, DREAMS, INSPIRATIONS FOR MY BOY

Hidden Cinema Records

Bobby Selvaggio, alto & soprano saxophone/composer/arranger; Orlando Watson, spoken word; Zaire Darden & James Johnson III, drums; Paul Thompson, bass; Joey Skoch & Theron Brown, piano; Chelsea Selvaggio, vocals.  SAXOPHONES:  Tony Spicer, tenor saxophone/ bass clarinet; Chris Coles, & John Klayman, tenor; Brad Wagner & Dave Kasper, baritone; TRUMPETS/ FLUGELHORNS; Tommy Lehman & Mark Russo; TROMBONES: Chris Anderson, Caleb Smith, & Zach Warren. 

It is said that Bobby Selvaggio II refined his style and craft under the tutelage of the great Joe Lovano. He was also mentored by Dick Oatts, Maria Schneider, and Bobby Watson, especially when it comes to composing.  On this project, Bobby unites the best and brightest on the Cleveland jazz scene to celebrate his parenthood and the joy of being a father for the past twenty-five years.

The Selvaggio group opens with a tune called “Good People” featuring Theron Brown’s piano tinkling out the happy melody, with the horns repeating it harmonically, than racing around with counter melodies and contrary motion.  It’s a great tune and gives lots of space for saxophone solos, including Selvaggio’s soprano saxophone.

Selvaggio’s love of big band and orchestration shines during this production.  The arrangements are lush and beautifully orchestrated.  Bobby grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Performance from Kent State University.  He later moved to New York City, where he made quite an impressive name for himself. He’s been surrounded by music his whole life.  His father was pianist, Pete Selvaggio who also played accordion, and worked with the legendary Guy Lombardo Orchestra. Bobby’s brother Freddy played drums while they were both in Middle school.  His jazz teacher at Kent State introduced Selvaggio to Cannonball Adderley’s album “Radio Nights.”  That solidified his love of jazz and encouraged Bobby to hone his talents as a reedman.  The New York City music scene, in the 1990s, further inspired him.

“Falling Up” is one of his original songs that is cemented in the blues. I fell in love with this tune.  All the Selvaggio’s original music is impressive.  On his composition celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, “I Have a Dream,” Orlando Watson uses spoken word to speak King’s legendary words on top of Selvaggio’s beautiful arrangement.

In a recent interview inside the pages of “AroundKent Magazine”  Bobby explained his move back to Ohio.

“… I love Northeast Ohio and making this my home today. …When I came back home … there wasn’t a whole lot going on where musicians were playing new music and recording and touring. …After a little bit, I started thinking to myself about the things I missed about New York, musically. … there was no scene around doing that, so I created my own scene with a handful of musicians I knew would be interested in doing new music. This became my biggest watershed moment in life. …I’m humbled by the fact that I have recorded ten CDs as a leader and been on multiple CDs as a sideman; that I’ve been on countless tours across the country and in other countries performing my original music,” Selvaggio shared.

This album is a tribute to his son, and a lovely look at the incredible arrangements and compositions of Bobby Selvaggio II. The project reflects Selvaggio’s stunning talents on saxophones, as well as his skills in band leadership.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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