It was only after Michael Jackson’s death that Italian trumpeter Enrico Rava gradually became aware that he had for many years been ignoring, in his words, “one of the great protagonists of 20th century music and dance. A total artist. A perfectionist. A genius. I felt the need to delve more deeply into Michael’s world. There was only one way to do that: play his songs.” Thus this live album, recorded at the Rome Auditorium with the Parco della Musica Jazz Lab. Enrico’s trumpet is at its most extroverted here, vaulting above the spirited arrangements by Mauro Ottolini. Michael Jackson’s protean pop songs have never been heard quite like this. Rava is currently playing European festivals with this programme.
Rava On the Dance Floor
Enrico Rava, Parco della Musica Jazz Lab
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06:37 - 2They Don't Care About Us
07:54 - 3Thriller
06:17 - 4Privacy
05:43 - 5Smile
03:29 - 6I Just Can't Stop Loving You / Smooth Criminal
09:13 - 7Little Susie
03:53 - 8Blood On The Dance Floor
05:05 - 9History
08:08
Rava acknowledges that he had paid scant attention to Michael Jackson during the singer’s earthly existence, and it wasn’t until June 2009 and the days after Jackson’s death that Enrico, curiosity piqued by the intensity of the media coverage, began to listen to his music in earnest, finding himself more and more attracted by its range of possibilities. “What finally convinced me,” he says, “was the contagious riff of ‘Smooth Criminal’. The fact is that, from a certain moment on, Michael Jackson simply invaded my life. My wife and I bought all the Jackson discs and videos we could find. And my long and dull road trips were transformed into enthusiastic listening sessions. It became clear to me that for years I had ignored one of the great protagonists of 20th century music and dance. A total artist, a perfectionist, a genius. I was especially knocked out by the film ‘This is it’, which documents the rehearsals for that extraordinary show. How amazing to see that 50-year old Peter Pan, so fragile and vulnerable, transformed into a benevolent but absolute authority on stage, in control of every small detail, correcting a spotlight, the emphasis of a bass note, a dancer’s step, or the length of a musical pause.”
Challenging conventional pop wisdom, Rava considers the later Jackson albums to be the better ones, with “History” and “Invincible” as particular favourites. He praises the call-and-response of “Stranger In Moscow” and the melody of “Speechless”, considers “Little Susie” a masterpiece, and endorses also Jackson’s affection for the Charlie Chaplin tune “Smile.”
“I felt the necessity to delve deeper into Jackson’s music by adding something of myself to it. In Mauro Ottolini I found the ideal partner for the arrangements. The band could only be the PMJL. And the place the Auditorium Parco della Musica di Roma, where everything got its start.” (It was after a concert at the Auditorium that Rava had first learned of Jackson’s death).
The PMJL Parco della Musica Jazz Lab is an ensemble produced by the Foundation Musica per Roma with a focus on young jazz talents. Its projects to date have all been directed by Enrico Rava, and the line-up on “Rava On The Dance Floor” includes pianist Giovanni Guidi from Enrico’s regular quintet (as heard on the recent “Tribe” album).
Arranger Mauro Ottolini has released a number of albums as a leader, and has played with international musicians including Carla Bley, Bill Frisell and Maria Schneider.
“Rava On The Dance Floor” was recorded live at the Auditorium Parco della Musica di Roma on 20th May and 30th November 2011 by Roberto Lioli, Massimiliano Cervini, Luca Padovano and mixed at Udine’s Artesuono studio.
YEAR | DATE | VENUE | LOCATION | |
2025 | July 19 | Umbria Jazz | Perugia, Italy |
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