Australian composer and nylon string guitarist Guy Strazzullo is a sublime player.
He is a genuine melody maker of the highest rank and is right up there with Jobim. Also, his beautiful guitar work is so very stylish and precise, whilst also retaining pleasing ease and flow. You can hear little influences of Louiz Bonfa, and others, but really - Guy Strazzullo is his own man and his own musician.
Well, I think you can gather that I really like this CD. Oh, yes - forgot to mention that. This month's CD is the music of the aforementioned musician and the CD is entitled Frangipani, released on ABC Jazz.
There are nine tracks of which Strazzullo has composed seven. He has also surrounded himself with the finest musicians including Slava Grigoryan (classical guitar), Matt McMahon (piano), Andrew Gander (drums), Hugh Fraser (bass), Mike Stern (electric guitar) and Geronimo da Silva (berimbau).
The album is quite eclectic, containing Brazilian influences, jazz-rock fusion, jazz, ballads and more.
Its main driving force always is beautiful melody, accompanied by understated arrangements so as not to intrude on the lyrical style of the playing - another Jobim influence.
This truly is Australian music making at its finest.
As for venues, well there is a certain element of "class" in this album, however it is perfectly assessable to a wide range of listeners. It is mellow and laid back listening, so perhaps the cocktail hour and dinner. Or, really late at night in front of an open fire with someone special. Excuse me whilst a just make a call.
First published in Restaurant and Catering Magazine, Sept 2003