This album is a reflection of a really special time for me. For months, I had the chance to play weekly sessions in Soho with some of my favorite musicians.
Each week, we’d focus on something different—whether it was music by Bud Powell, Charlie Parker, or Tadd Dameron, or classics from the American Songbook. Those nights were all about exploring, learning, and connecting with the music and the audience. The tracks we recorded are taken from that repertoire. Some are straight from the sessions, while others, like “Tea for Two,” are arrangements I came up with while preparing for those gigs. The vibe of the album is very much rooted in bebop and straight-ahead jazz, with plenty of groove, interplay, and swing. What makes this album unique is that we’d been playing these tunes together for a while before we recorded them. Everything felt tight, natural, and well-rehearsed. For example, on “John’s Delight,” we worked on translating a big band arrangement intoa quartet setting, with the guitar leading the melody and the saxophone playing the harmony—just like in the original. The band on this record is a dream to play with: Alex Garnett (tenor saxophone): Alex has been a huge influence on me. He’s the reason I learned how to properly play in a group, and his solo on “Tea for Two” is one of my favorite moments on the album. Lorenzo Morabito (double bass): Lorenzo has been with me on almost every gig and record I’ve done. He’s one of my closest friends and a brilliant musician who always brings the best out of everyone. Mark Taylor (drums): I’d been a fan of Mark’s playing for years before I met him, and I feel so lucky to work with him. His energy and swing are a massive part of what makes this album what it is.
We recorded the whole thing in five hours at the Fish Factory in North London—it was intense, but I think we captured the spirit of the music. Soho Sessions is all about celebrating the jazz I love, the musicians I admire, and the joy of playing together.
Here's a bio about me:
Andrea Rinciari is a jazz guitarist whose tireless dedication to the traditions of bebop and straight-ahead has led him to specialise in mid-20th century jazz.
Originally from a small town just outside Milan, Italy, and honing his craft in London under the mentorship of the legendary Barry Harris, Andrea is deeply committed to jazz tradition.
Andrea has crafted his sound by pushing boundaries of the guitar resulting in a unique blend of innovation and tradition. With a career marked by virtuosity and a deep understanding of the jazz idiom, Andrea Rinciari has consistently delivered performances that resonate with audiences on a profound level.
His music is heavily influenced by jazz greats like Bud Powell, Tadd Dameron, Elmo Hope, Freddie Redd, Charlie Parker, Fats Navarro, and Clifford Brown.
“Rinciari is able to reflect the gentleness and beloved bounce of Bud Powell’s piano playing beautifully in each of these standards. His solos are thoughtful and creative and capture elements of Powell’s genius”
- London Jazz News
Over the years he has graced the top jazz venues on both sides of the channel, from Ronnie Scott's, Boulevard Theatre Soho, Chelsea’s 606, and Vortex in London to Parisian gems like Le Duc des Lombards, 38Riv, and Le Barbizon, to name a few. He’s also been the art director and host of weekly residencies at Piano Bar Soho and Toulouse Lautrec Jazz Club.
His recent collaborations include Alex Garnett, Leo Richardson, Jon Gordon, Ashley Pezzotti, Paul Sikivie, Steve Fishwick as well as Mark Kavuma and Giacomo Smith.
https://youtu.be/y0rKdnvkCf0?si=GaXtt3Hl6hLYN5wT
Karamel - 4 Coburg Road, London N22 6UJ. The Karamel vegan kitchen will be serving food until 9.30pm. Email karamel8775@gmail.com to book a table for groups of 3+.
Doors open 7pm, music starts at 8pm.
£7.50 Early Bird £10 General Admission £5 Student
https://www.musicglue.com/karamel/events/2025-06-19-andrea-rinciari-mark-taylor-quartet-karamel
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