Jerry Bergonzi

Even though Jerry Bergonzi has nothing left to prove, after almost half a century near the top of almost every list of the jazz world's leading tenor saxophonists, he is hardly ready to sit back and rest on those laurels. On his latest album, Nearly Blue, Bergonzi is supported, as before, only by organist Renato Chicco and drummer Andrea Michelutti, meaning his supple tenor is in action much of the time, which is fine with him, as taking the lead and running with it is what Bergonzi does best.

Aside from offering a splendid showcase for Bergonzi and his Italian colleagues, Nearly Blue shows that the tenor master, now in his seventies, remains at the top of his invariably impressive game. Those who love the sound and swing of a superlative tenor saxophone won't find many who fly those flags higher than Jerry Bergonzi.

PERSONNEL:

• JERRY BERGONZI, tenor sax
• RENATO CHICCO, organ, Hammond B3
• ANDREA MICHELUTTI, drums

Udine, Italy, March 22 2019

TRACKS:

• 01. It Might as Well Be Spring
• 02. Countdown
• 03. How About You?
• 04. Tectonic Plates
• 05. Nearly Blue
• 06. On Green Dolphin Street
• 07. We’ll Be Together Again
• 08. While You Were Out
• 09. Nice Work If You Can Get It
• 10. Laura.