Matt Renzi
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Matt Renzi

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"Matt Renzi "The Cave""

Matt Renzi is a mellow-toned, progressively inclined tenor saxophonist and clarinetist. His trio with bassist David Ambrosio and drummer Russell Meissner swings lightly but determinedly within broad bounds. For instance, the opening track "Poison Ivy" is a gentle, harmonically inviting waltz-time tune dealing with the push and pull of three-against-four. In contrast, the next tune cuts every which way but loose from tonality and a steady pulse; the three musicians nevertheless show a commonality of purpose in letting the free-flowing rhythmic and harmonic scheme take them forward naturally.
Ambrosio and Meissner deserve a lot of credit for making the album a success. Like the leader, they share a requisite sensitivity to dynamic concerns and an ability to react instantly and appropriately to one another. Renzi is an adept and lyrical improviser, possessed of a fertile melodic imagination and an intense musicality. There's a paucity of bluesiness to the music, which I cite as an observation, not a criticism. Renzi's folksiness and light-toned manner invite comparison to '60s-vintage Jimmy Giuffre, though his concept is thoroughly up-to-date. Nothing bold here, but it's a mature and creative statement that does its makers proud.


-Chris Kelsey - Jazz Times March 2006


"Matt Renzi "The Cave""

The Cave
Matt Renzi | Fresh Sound New Talent (2006)

By Michael P. Gladstone

I've always approached a piano-less trio like this sax/bass/drums combo with at least some trepidation. In the world of free jazz, it is, more or less, a rather standard pairing of instruments that allows for greater freedom without the chorded support from piano (or guitar). Within mainstream jazz, the work of Sonny Rollins (notably during his Blue Note days), Joe Lovano, and at least some recordings by Joe Henderson present one side of the spectrum in which the saxophonist is able to overcome the “missing” instrument.
Fear not, for Matt Renzi is a melody player. And although he takes the music outside on occasion, this album is largely an opportunity for the saxophonist/clarinetist to display his ability to tell a story and embellish compositions, with the able assistance of bassist David Ambrosio and drummer Russell Meissner.

Renzi's eight original compositions are based upon his travels to Japan, Italy, New York, and Italy over a four-year period. Renzi also studied Indian vocal music with R.A. Ramamani. Each of the compositions is intended to convey Renzi's memories of his travels, and since he has been moving about with Ambrosio and Meissner for some years, they have also incorporated their musical feelings into the album. The one tune that I can most identify with is the frenetic, very New York-based “Stand Clear (of the Closing Doors).”

Renzi's approach is warm, rather than a brittle, and he makes the individual compositions into melody statements. Meissner's arsenal of percussive and drumming techniques provide the springboard for Renzi's inspired solo work, while Ambrosio's sympatico bass supplies an ongoing cushion for the saxophonist.


Track listing: Poison Ivy; The Rice Shed; Stand Clear(of the closing doors); Stones For Sand; In Circles; Faces and Places; To The Cave; Three Stories.

Personnel: Matt Renzi: tenor saxophone, clarinet; David Ambrosio: bass; Russell Meissner: drums, percussion.

Style: Modern Jazz/Free Improvisation | Published: January 11, 2006
- All About Jazz (2006)


""Dream Life""

Dream Life
Matt Renzi, Jimmy Weinstein & Masa Kamaguchi | Blue Moon (2002)

By Jim Santella
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Their latest collaboration came amid tours of Spain and Portugal. Traveling can do wonders for one’s creativity; however, this trio wasn’t in need of a boost. They’d already proven that through earlier recordings. Based in New York, Jimmy Weinstein, Masa Kamaguchi and Matt Renzi represent the growth pattern of modern mainstream jazz. They swing in a traditional sense, while expanding jazz’s horizon through creative interplay. Solos from each artist punctuate a session of cohesive ensemble invention. Compositions by Ornette Coleman, Dave Brubeck, Carla Bley and others serve as launch points for their exploration. Kamaguchi’s lyrical bass lines combine with Renzi’s seamless phrasing and Weinstein’s textual variety to produce another winner. Emotions run high in spots, and a deep blues feeling pervades. The trio continues to blaze a trail for the growth of modern mainstream jazz.


Track listing: Blues Connotation; If I Should Lose You; Dream Life; Israel; Quiet Now; The Duke; Ida Lupino; All My Life; Blues Connotation.

Personnel: Matt Renzi- tenor saxophone; Masatoshi Kamaguchi- bass; Jimmy Weinstein- drums.

Style: Mainstream | Published: February 01, 2002
- AAJ (2002)


"Lines and Ballads"

MATT RENZI/JIMMY WEINSTEIN/MASA KAMAGUCHI
Lines and Ballads (Fresh Sound New Talent)


This New York-based trio's collective spirit goes further than the joint leadership suggested by the equal billing on the album cover. Stylistically, tenor saxophonist Matt Renzi, drummer Jimmy Weinstein and bassist Masa Kamaguchi cover familiar post-bop turf, both in repertoire and instrumental format, but they're fond of subverting their expected roles. On a romp through the Charlie Parker gem "Au-Leu-Cha," for example, Kamaguchi retrofits the original Miles Davis trumpet part to his bass, delivering a scrappy, inventive bit of counterpoint to Renzi during the head. On Weinstein's solo drum piece "Dear Max"-named for his one-time mentor Max Roach-he's a melodic soloist as much as a rhythmic one. Most of the time, however, the trio is content to play it straight, yet even then each member is given equal space. Kamaguchi's lovely, full-bodied, resonant tone and his lyrical solo on the Duke Ellington ballad "My Love" make an impact on par with Renzi's tender interpretation, and no matter how restrained his accompaniment, Weinstein continually manages to exert a pull on the direction each tune takes. While Renzi delves into a little Sonny Rollins-style dissonance on Weinstein's edgy "New Line" and navigates the tricky contours of Monk's "Eronel" like a hard-bop pro, his most rewarding performances come on the ballads like "Turn Out the Stars" and "East of the Sun," his assured, warm tone streaked with the slightest hint of vulnerability.

-Peter Margasak - Jazz Times


Discography

Lunch Special (Three P's Records)
The Cave (Fresh Sound Records)
Road to Angkor (TOAP Records)

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Bio

A San Francisco native, tenor saxophonist/clarinetist Matt Renzi was born into a musical family. His father was principal flautist with the San Francisco Symphony and his grandfather was principal oboist with Toscanini’s NBC Symphony. He received a BA in performance from Berklee College of Music and and a Masters degree from San Francisco State University in classical composition. Some of his teachers include George Garzone, John Handy, Joe Henderson and South Indian Vocalist R.A. Ramamani.
Matt has appeared at festivals and venues throughout North America as well as Europe, Japan, Israel, India, Singapore and Angola. Of note is his work with “Dialogue,” a band led by legendary bassist, Herbie Lewis. He can be heard on a variety of recordings including the award winning “Lines and Ballads” for Fresh Sound Records (Barcelona, Spain) as well as his latest release, "Lunch Special" for Three P's Records. Matt has also performed and recorded with Marc Johnson, Michael Formanek, Eddie Marshall, Tommy Campbell, Eberhard Weber, and Bobo Stenson.