The deployment of American troops overseas has historically yielded a notable yet often overlooked benefit: it has facilitated connections between American musicians and local artists, leading to enduring professional relationships. Pianist and composer Dino Massa, hailing from Naples, Italy, likely never anticipated that he would find himself recording his original music in Kansas City, Missouri. However, an encounter with alto saxophonist and composer Christopher Burnett in 1990, when Burnett was performing with the NATO Jazz Band based in Naples, set this journey in motion. The outcome of their collaboration is captured in "Echoes of Europe," released on the Artists Recording Collective (ARC) label co-founded by Burnett.
Burnett’s role in the NATO Big Band went beyond merely performing; he held the positions of Leading Chief Petty Officer, Staff Arranger, and Unit Leader, and he also conducted the Ceremonial Band, which regularly honored government officials and international dignitaries. On his first night in Naples, before starting his official duties, Burnett found himself performing at a local jazz club alongside Massa, who had just completed his master’s degree at the Naples Conservatory.
During their time in Naples, Massa and Burnett frequently collaborated, developing a musical relationship that they both believed would yield future opportunities. Years later, they reconnected through Facebook, leading to Massa’s trip to the United States in 2015. Together with some of Kansas City’s top jazz musicians, they performed at venues such as the Blue Room at the American Jazz Museum and the now-closed Take Five Coffee + Bar in the Kansas City suburbs. The performances were well received and gained attention across various media platforms. Motivated by this successful collaboration, Massa returned in April 2016 to record with what would become the Dino Massa Kansas City Quintet.
In "Echoes of Europe," listeners can experience the strong intuitive connection that Massa and Burnett forged years earlier. They are joined by accomplished musicians from the Kansas City region: guitarist Charles Gatschet, bassist Andrew Stinson, and drummer Clarence Smith. The album also features guest musicians, including flutists Terri Anderson Burnett and Freda Proctor, along with trumpeters/flugelhornists Marcus Hampton and Stanton Kessler, who expertly managed the recording session, ensuring a focused and smooth process.
Marcus Hampton, nephew of trombone legend Locksley Wellington “Slide” Hampton and cousin to the iconic Lionel Hampton, shared living quarters with Burnett in Germany during their service in the U.S. Army band in 1977. Burnett regards Hampton as his first significant mentor in jazz performance and arranging. Though he appears on only two tracks of the album, his influence is substantial. Notably, the third track, “Imagine,” was composed by Hampton specifically for this session with Massa, showcasing elements reminiscent of Herbie Hancock’s “Maiden Voyage.”
The album features not only “Imagine” and Burnett’s poignant composition “Notos,” but is primarily comprised of Massa’s original works. His compositions are characterized by energetic melodies and intricate yet accessible arrangements that provide room for all players to shine. Born in 1964, Massa has an extensive background that includes numerous festival and club performances, teaching roles, and contributions to classical music. He has collaborated with notable musicians such as John Abercrombie and Louis Sclavis. His previous leadership projects include "Girotondo" (quartet), "Il medico dei pazzi" (trio), "Punti di vista" (solo piano), and "Funky Monky" (electric quartet). "Echoes of Europe" further exemplifies Massa’s rich musicality.
The album opens with “Alone,” featuring a complex and dynamic head arranged in a call-and-response style. Solos by Burnett, Massa, and Gatschet reveal the influences of modal jazz, hard bop, and Third Stream in Massa's writing. Massa describes the piece as a dedication to anyone who feels alone at a given moment. The title track, “Echoes of Europe,” presents a moderate tempo with a lush legato melody and modern harmonies, composed a year before Massa's first visit to Kansas City to express his identity as both a jazz and European musician.
The remaining tracks are equally memorable, showcasing unexpected harmonic shifts and phrases that inspire standout performances from the quintet. “Paris” is the sole piece Massa has recorded before, featuring lyrics by his wife, Maria Omero, and serves as a tribute to a city he holds dear, one that his wife cherishes even more. “Remembering” conveys a mellow, funky vibe, reminiscent of ’70s Freddie Hubbard during Kessler’s trumpet solo, reflecting on Massa and Burnett's early musical encounters in Naples. The album concludes with “Tarantella,” inspired by a traditional Neapolitan dance, presented in a spirited yet dark 3/4 time signature, enhanced by the beauty of paired flutes.
While Massa's musical vision is central to the album, Burnett's role as the project’s lead developer from Kansas City is also significant. His warm, rounded alto saxophone tone enriches the entire recording. Burnett’s leadership at the ARC label has been pivotal in bringing this music to fruition. Co-founded with saxophonist Erica Lindsay and pianist Sumi Tonooka, ARC has previously released three of Burnett’s titles: "Time Flies," "Theme Music," and the recent "Firebird."
“Notos,” a modern swing piece written to highlight Massa’s talents, features one of the fullest orchestrations on the album. Burnett describes its aural landscape as reflective of his experiences living in "Bella Napoli" during spring, when the African south wind brought a stunning red dust to the sky, symbolizing new beginnings. For Burnett, Massa, the ARC label, and Kansas City jazz, "Echoes of Europe" signifies not only a new chapter but also the promise of future collaborations.
~ David R. Adler, New York, May 2016
