CD: Nora

When Alan Broadbent is not playing exceptional jazz piano with his trio, he is usually busy arranging and conducting a large orchestra for a jazz artist or singer. In the case of the new album "Nora" by Swiss flugelhornist Franco Ambrosetti, Alan is at the helm of a 22-piece string orchestra, and the result is beautiful, thoughtful and perfect for the fall season. The album also features guitarist John Scofield, bassist Scott Colley, pianist Uri Caine and drummer Peter Erskine

Ambrosetti began his career as a leader on trumpet in Milan in 1965 with A Jazz Portrait of Franco Ambrosetti, with Franco D'Andrea (piano), Giorgio Azzolini (bass) and Franco Mondini (drums). Growing up in Italy, he played with a variety of touring American jazz greats over the years, including Kenny Clarke, Dexter Gordon, Phil Woods, Cannonball Adderley, Geri Allen, Joe Henderson, Michael Brecker and Mike Stern.

For Alan, this is his first collaboration with Ambrosetti, for which he has written a tremendous score. Ambrosetti was looking for a project on the same scale as "Bird With Strings" and "Clifford Brown With Strings" - two of his favorite albums that combine a strong soloist and a strong orchestral background. With "Nora", this goal should have been achieved.