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Alfonso Ponticelli & Swing Gitan

Alfonso Ponticelli & Swing Gitan
1 disc

1. Blues Clair - (live)
2. Lito's Place
3. Annie-Zette
4. Sheik of Araby, The
5. Valse Manouche
6. Djembe
7. ' Te Vurria Vassa, L
8. Minor Details
9. Ballade for Jessy
10. For Luna - (live)
11. Kali Sara - (live)
12. Harlem Nocturne - (live)
13. Mouse Trap/E Minor Tancak - (live)
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Additional Info

Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 1
Credits

Producer Alfonso Ponticelli
Engineer Ellis Clark
Alfonso Ponticelli & Swing Gitan: Alfonso Ponticelli (guitar, bodhran, triangle, percussion); John Papadolias, Carter O' Brien (guitar); Louie Marini (bass instrument).
Personnel: Emily Randle, Johnny Frigo (violin); Joe Adamik (drums).
Recording information: Angel City Studios, Chicago, IL (10/09/1996-01/??/2003); JGM Recording Studio (10/09/1996-01/??/2003); Katerina's, Chicago, IL (10/09/1996-01/??/2003); Old Town School Of Folk Music, Chicago, IL (10/09/1996-01/??/2003); Sparrow Sound Design, Chicago, IL (10/09/1996-01/??/2003).
Photographer: Andrew Martin .
The debut recording of the Chicago-based Alfonso Ponticelli & Swing Gitan is in the spirit of the brilliant Gypsy jazz music of guitarist Django Reinhardt with violinist Stphane Grappelli. The baker's dozen tracks were recorded over several dates (both live and in the studio) between 1996 and 2003, with variations in personnel and instrumentation. Violinist Johnny Frigo appears as a guest on a burning take of "The Sheik of Araby," the dramatic "Valse Manouche," and Ponticelli's engaging Gypsy swinger "For Luna"; these are among the last recordings Frigo made prior to his death. Ponticelli also adds a bit of novelty in his approach to Gypsy swing by overdubbing several instruments on three tracks with effective results. The leader delights his audience with his Gypsy-flavored arrangement of "Harlem Nocturne," a piece associated with 1950s strip bars and the old Mike Hammer television detective series. ~ Ken Dryden