With a handpicked "A" division rhythm section, Tomasso positively cooks on trumpet and flugelhorn through a carefully chosen set of standards and jazz compositions. The influence of a wide range of trumpet greats can be discerned throughout the record. "Jubilee" summons up the ghost of his mentor Louis Armstrong, "Little Jazz" is a reworking of a classic Roy Eldridge track and "Brotherhood of Man" is evidence of the influence of Clark Terry. Despite such a well-studied approach, Rico remains very much his own man with a highly developed and easily recognizable and individual style.
Tomasso has had a highly varied career, which includes 12 years with the Pasadena Roof Orchestra and stints with many high profile bands from Ray Gelato to Acker Bilk. He has also been trumpeter of choice for musicians as varied as Bryan Ferry, Marc Almond and film composer John Altman.
Personnel: Enrico Tomasso (trumpet, flugelhorn), John Pearce (piano), Andrew Cleyndert (double bass), Bobby Worth (drums)
You've probably heard trumpeter Enrico ("Rico") Tomasso already, without knowing it. Like many top jazz musicians, he often turns up on soundtracks and albums, most recently Bryan Ferry's The Jazz Age. This is his belated solo debut, and it's a beauty. It is a mark of true distinction when a jazz trumpeter plays with such fluency and apparent ease that you listen to the music and not to the technique. That's what happens in these elegant improvisations on 12 well-chosen standards, deftly accompanied by John Pearce on piano, with bassist Andrew Cleyndert and drummer Bobby Worth.
Dave Gelly The Observer
