I've been working on a new CD, "Modern Times". It features myself on alto and soprano saxes, Kenny Werner on piano, Sean Jones on trumpet, Matt Wigton on bass, Nathan Douds on drums, Dan Murphy on piano, and Paul Tynan on trumpet. I've just finished mixing the CD and am in the process of mastering. I'm looking for a release in 09. I'll keep you updated as things happen.

Jazz Reviews

1) Mark Corroto - All About Jazz
www.allaboutjazz.com

UNSPOKEN DIALOGUE - PLAYSCAPE RECORDINGS

"Listening to UNSPOKEN DIALOGUE by saxophonist Bobby Selvaggio raises the old debate of composer versus improviser. Of the nine tracks found here, eight were penned by Selvaggio, plus ALONE TOGETHER by Arthur Schwartz. Is he a player or a writer?

Perhaps arranger is his strongest suit.

Selvaggio's compositions are keen to animate his fellow musicians on this recording, especially the adroit humor that is Kenny Werner's piano and the exuberant trumpet/flugel horn of Paul Tynan. This ensemble recalls the early Wynton/Branford Marsalis or Bobby Watson Bands. That is, the 21st century offspring of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. Like fellow musician Joe Lovano, Selvaggio is both Cleveland-born and a second generation jazz musician. He has been a member of Joe Lovano's 52nd Street Nonet, the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, and the Village Vanguard Orchestra. This is his fourth release as a leader. That influence is best found in the composition JUNGLE ANIMALS. The Selvaggio/Tynan two-horn attack opens into a cheeky and changing path of a melody. Selvaggio shares the track with soloing partners Tynan and Werner. Werner maintains the architecture for Selvaggio to muscle his solo alongside Tynan's very snappy trumpet. This post-bop is both clever and intellectual without sounding dry or academic. Likewise, the animated SPY MOVIE is a combination muted Miles meets Ennio Morricone at cartoon time, full of funky runs down back alleys.

Selvaggio writes music to gain the most from this specific configuration of players, whether it is a song in full flight like the rambunctious ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING OUT or the more intimate FOLLOW THE LEADER. The latter, taken at a slower pace, never lacks for intensity. He sits in on a nice duo piece, LIKE TEARS IN RAIN, where Werner opens with the interior piano stings. Selvaggio's soprano wraps Werner's chamber piano playing with a warmth that is quite difficult to coax out of the straight horn. "Is Selvaggio a better player, composer, or arranger? The answer to all three is yes, as this is a near-perfect recording."

2) Vincent Bessieres - Orkhestra International (translated from French)
www.orkhestra.fr

UNSPOKEN DIALOGUE - PLAYSCAPE RECORDINGS

There are many amusing things to discover in Cleveland which one has never intended to speak of that makes a disc of this kind.

A very nice repertoire of developed forms, a formidable rhythm section with Kenny Werner free of his soothing side, a Canadian trumpeter of an elegant sensibility and a leader who combines his talents as a composer, saxophonist ( alto just as well as soprano ), and a leader.

But there are also things that are a bit distressing - in this time of cultural universalization, who is going to be interested in an unknown saxophonist from Cleveland?

Bobby Selvaggio spent four years in NYC, which has clearly left a strong imprint on his musical conception. In so much as a soloist, his phrasing is as sinuous and impetuous as his contemporaries Myron Walden or Pete Robbins, another altoist to follow who has put out a disc on the same label - Playscape Recordings. Also, one would have UNSPOKEN DIALOGUE included in our file of top ten discs who move the alto saxophone. "In short, there are things that are alluring about this musician, encouraging to discover, destined for the same course as another saxophonist from Cleveland, also from the line of local musicians of Italian origins: Joe Lovano."



3) John Ephland - October 2007 issue of Downbeat Jazz Magazine
www.downbeat.com

UNSPOKEN DIALOGUE - PLAYSCAPE RECORDINGS 3 1/2 Stars

Fronting a capable and sensitive quintet, alto/soprano saxophonist Selvaggio bends the rules to his advantage. On the set's nine tunes ( all Selvaggio's except "Alone Together"), there's a nice blend of straight ahead jazz with some Latin configurations, odd time signatures and ballads. But the arrangements make the difference. Take the opener, "Forgotten Man." Sporting a swinging, halting nature, with fine solos from trumpeter Paul Tynan and Kenny Werner, it's a tip-off to what follows: music that's thoughtful, slyly subversive, perhaps a wee bit delicate, but hardly conventional.

I'll be on tour again with my quintet promoting my new CD, Unspoken Dialogue, out on Playscape Recordings. I'll be playing with some real great friends and players. The band will be me on saxes, Paul Tynan on trumpet, Dan Murphy on piano, Ashley Summers on bass, and Nathan Douds on drums. here's the gig info.


Tuesday, October 16th
Jazz Factory in Louisville, Kentucky
7:30 pm start
cover $5
For more info, go to www.jazzfactory.us

Wednesday, October 17th
Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio
7:30 pm start
For more info, go to www.bgsu.edu

Thursday, October 18th
Andy's Jazz Club in Chicago, Il
9:00 pm start
cover $10
For more info, go to www.andysjazzclub.com

Friday, October 19th
Cliff Bells in Detroit, Michigan
9:00 pm start
cover $15
For more info, go to www.cliffbells.com

Saturday, October 20th
The Cleveland Bop Stop
8:30 pm start
cover $10
For more info, go to www.clevelandbopstop.com

My new CD, Unspoken Dialogue, will be released on Playscape Recordings August 28th, 2007. This marks a new chapter in my musical life. There's a lot to be said about self-producing CD's, and I've done that up to this point with my other projects. It has helped me learn a lot about the business end of things. Although, when you can find the right situation, having a label back you up is immeasurable. The ability to have world wide distribution is extremely important when trying to build an international reputation. I can't thank Michael Mussilami enough for what he's given me at Playscape. I'll hopefully be doing a release concert in NYC. I'll keep you updated on that. I'll also let you know where you can pick up a copy of UD. Can't wait to have you hear it. Talk to you all soon.

Bobby

I've recently finished recording a new CD with Kenny Werner, Jamey Haddad, Ben Street, Paul Tynan, and Matt Perko. This project is very personal to me. There have been certain musicians I've been wanting to work with and this CD has allowed me that chance.
I met Kenny Werner at Banff a few years back and he has been very kind to me ever since. Kenny is a professional in every sense of the word. Besides being one of the best piano players in the world, he came to the session with a great attitude ready to play and brought his creative energy to the project.
Jamey Haddad has been a friend of mine for a while, he also being from and now living again in Cleveland. Aside from being a world class percussionist and drummer, he has an incredible understanding of music. I've been able to hang with Jamey and our conversations have been inspirational.
I met Ben Street at the studio the day we started recording (although I sent him, along with everyone else, music before the session). Jamey had recommended him as a bass player and I'll be forever grateful for that. Ben came into the session, as did everyone, completely prepared and killed evrything. My music can be rhythmically challenging, yet Ben was able to lead from the bass chair. I can't think of a better bass player right now.
Paul Tynan has been a close friend of mine for some time and has been their next to me helping with this project any way possible. Their isn't another horn player I would rather play with. Besides his abilities on the trumpet itself, we can lock up like nothing else. Paul is one of the most amazing people I know.
Jamey was only able to do one of the two days we recorded, so I brought in my good friend and drummer in my own quartet, Matt Perko. I've known Matt for 15years and have used no one else in Cleveland. He can handle any situation.
The amazing thing for me was that we only rehearsed this music right before we recorded it. I was excited that everyone brought their A game and made incredible music.
Bobby Selvaggio