Change Management is the debut CD as a leader for jazz guitarist/composer Victor Magnani. A native of New York, Magnani has been playing professionally for over 20 years all over the NY area.
Currently leading a trio, augmented to a quartet with the addition of a sax to the front line, Magnani works in a mainstream jazz idiom while still drawing on a wide variety of contemporary influences.
Magnani studied with jazz great Gene Bertoncini while working towards a BS in jazz guitar performance (NYU '85), and contemporary classical composer Marc-Antonio Consoli while earning his MA in composition (NYU '95).
Change Management consists entirely of standards and jazz classics, often approached in novel ways. Andy Alonso is the bassist on the CD, joined by Mark Banfitch on drums and Billy Gagliardi on tenor and soprano sax.
Some reviews for "Change Management":
"This contemporary jazz entry is a winner with emphasis on good playing performances and the magical guitar work of Victor Magnani." - Lee Prosser, jazzreview.com
"This guitar is silky. The notes glide by in procession; the strings snap at opportune times. Victor Magnani has many styles: there's a blend of Joe Pass and Barney Kessel, plus a dash of the blues. This is wonderful on "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat": cymbals drizzle, and guitar notes hover in a lonely cloud. Victor seduces with luscious chords..." - John Barrett, jazzusa.com
"Here's how to stock a well-oiled quartet. Fill up with Andy Alonso on bass, Mark Banfitch on drums, Billy Gagliardi on saxes, Victor Magnani on guitar, give them free reign on the improv solos, find some not overtaxed tunes from the likes of Rowles, Strayhorn and those cats, plug in an intimate setting, and you can't really be disappointed. " - Ben Ohmart, allaboutjazz.com
http://www.jazzreview.com/jaagas140.html
http://www.jazzusa.com/stories/changemanagement.asp
http://wwww.allaboutjazz.com/REVIEWS/r0701_014.htm
Read more...