Mediterranean Connection

This project is the result of a beautiful friendship between American saxophonist and composer Greg Yasinitsky, based in the Pacific Northwest, and one of Europe’s finest jazz pianists Teo Chiavarella, based in Bologna, Italy. Chiavarella’s elegant and sophisticated keyboard playing is complemented by Yasinitsky’s big-toned, fiery saxophone improvisations. Both love to season their solos with blues-inspired ideas. These recordings were made in September of 2017 during a visit by Ciavarella to Washington State University where Yasinitsky is a School of Music faculty member. They received superlative support from bassist F. David Snider and drummer David Jarvis, also members of the WSU faculty. The program includes originals by Ciavarella and Yasinitsky along with Ciavarella’s arrangement of the beloved standard Bésame Mucho. Yasinitsky contributed the funky shuffle Snagglepuss, the blazing modal tune "Partial Eclipse," the lilting waltz "Suddenly You" and "Laura’s Bossa Nova," written for his daughter’s birthday. Ciavarella is the composer of the jazz tango "Pablo de Granada," the blues drenched "Arianna," and the heartfelt "That is Why I am Crying (Dedicated to Matt)," written in memory of flutist Matt Marvuglio. This collection also includes two brilliant solo improvisations by Ciavarella: "Children of the Sun"—the title of which is the English translation of the Native American word "Spokane," the name of the largest city in Eastern Washington state—and "Fields of Grain," inspired by the countryside in the Inland Northwest.