Roswell Rudd ~ John Tchicai ~ Steve Lacy ~ Kent Carter ~ Steve McCall ~ RAI Big Band; Teatro dell’Opera, Rome; 24th March 1980

In 1980, the Italian radio programme Un Certo Discorso organised and broadcast eleven concerts with several of the leading jazz musicians at that time, together with the RAI big band. Several of the broadcasts of these concerts have already been shared on this blog. The RAI3 programme Battiti has been revisiting several of these performances recently, including one that has not appeared either here or on Dime. So here it is - it's just great to hear Steve Lacy on such ecstatic form, together with John Tchicai, Roswell Rudd, Kent Carter and Steve McCall, and of course, the RAI big band. As little editing as possible has been done, to give continuity to the actual concert; any corrections to the setlist or other details are welcome.

La foresta nello zoo / The Forest and the Zoo

Roswell Rudd trombone
John Tchicai saxophone
Steve Lacy soprano saxophone
Kent Carter bass
Steve McCall drums

and the RAI Big Band

Teatro dell’Opera, Rome; 24th March 1980

Tracklist:

01 - radio introduction
02 - 'S Crazy Pad  - Skippy - Warm Valley - Reuniosis
03 - radio continuity
04 - Il saluto del mattino - Bud's Brother
05 - radio continuity
06 - Well You Needn't

Gil Evans Quintet + RAI Big Band - Live in Rome '80

First event/concert for the series "I Concerti di Un Certo Discorso".

here the complete list of all concerts.

Rec. live at "Teatro dell'Opera", Rome, Italy, on March 3, 1980 (radio broadcast)

Gil Evans,piano,electric piano,conductor
Lee Konitz,alto & soprano saxes
Ack van Rooyen,trumpet & flugelhorn
Giovanni Tommaso,bass
Bruce Ditmas,drums
+
RAI Big Band :
Nino Culasso/Doriano Beltrame/Cicci Santucci/Michele
Lacerenza,tps - Giancarlo Beccattini/Ernesto Pumpo/
Marco Pellacani/Gennaro Baldino,tbs - Gianni Oddi/Baldo
Maestri/Sal Genovese/Beppe Carrieri/Carlo Metallo,reeds
- Sergio Coppetelli/Pino Rucher,gt - Maurizio Majorana,b -
Carlo Zoffoli,vib

1. Eleven/Las Vegas Tango [G.Evans] (22:02)
2. Dr. Jekyll [J.McLean]/Here Come De Honey Man [G.Gershwin] (13:11)
3. Gone [G.Gershwin] (12:00)
4. Blues In Orbit [G.Russell] (13:34)
5. Copenhagen Sight [G.Evans] (13:05)
6. Anita's Dance [G.Evans] (09:21)
7. Sirhan's Blues (inc.) [J.B.Brooks] (06:52)

Total Time 1:30:08

Gone (excerpt)

Albert Mangelsdorff Quintet + RAI B.B. - Live in Rome '80

Sixth event/concert for the series "I Concerti di Un Certo Discorso".

here the complete list of all concerts.

Rec. live at "Teatro dell'Opera", Rome, Italy, on April 21, 1980
(radio broadcast)

Albert Mangelsdorff,trombone
Manfred Schoof,trumpet & soprano flugelhorn
Giancarlo Schiaffini,trombone
Paolo Damiani,bass
Billy Higgins,drums
+
RAI Big Band :
Nino Culasso/Doriano Beltrame/Cicci Santucci/Michele
Lacerenza,tps - Giancarlo Beccattini/Ernesto Pumpo/
Marco Pellacani/Gennaro Baldino,tbs - Gianni Oddi/Baldo
Maestri/Sal Genovese/Beppe Carrieri/Carlo Metallo,reeds
- Sergio Coppetelli/Pino Rucher,gt - Maurizio Majorana,b -
Carlo Zoffoli,vib

1. Supraconductivity [A.M.] (10:16)
2. Introduction And March Of The Jazz Aspects [A.M.] (14:19)
3. Unknown (15:30)
4. Mood Indigo [D.E.] (06:41)
5. Unknown (10:04)
6. Oh Horn! [A.M.] (08:59)
7. Mood Azur [A.M.] (04:29)
8. Open Mind [A.M.] (09:28)
9. Unknown [inc.] (13:40)

Total Time 1:33:30

Mood Indigo

Alexander von Schlippenbach Quintet + RAI B.B. - Live in Rome '80

Tenth event/concert for the series "I Concerti di Un Certo Discorso".

The first seven songs (by J.R. Morton) were published by the FMP years ago (SAJ-31) and now sadly OOP, while the long suite in four movements and the encore are still unpublished (to my knowledge).

here the complete list of all concerts.

Rec. live at "Teatro Argentina", Rome, Italy, on May 31, 1980
(radio broadcast)

Alexander von Schlippenbach,piano,conductor
Gerd Dudek,tenor & soprano sax,clarinet,flute
Bob Stewart,tuba;
Bruno Tommaso,bass
Paul Lovens,neworleansed drumset,drums
+
RAI Big Band :
Doriano Beltrame/Nino Culasso/Michele Lacerenza/
Cicci Santucci,trumpet
Gennaro Baldino/Giancarlo Becattini/Marco Pellacani/
Dino Piana,trombone
Beppe Carrieri/Sal Genovese/Baldo Maestri/Gianni Oddi/
Alfredo Santoloci,reeds

01. Black Bottom Stomp [J.R.Morton] (05:13)
02. New Orleans Blues [J.R.Morton] (07:36)
03. King Porter Stomp [J.R.Morton] (02:15)
04. The Pearls [J.R.Morton] (06:03)
05. Wolverine Blues [J.R.Morton] (04:42)
06. Mr. Jelly Lord [J.R.Morton] (02:51)
07. Dead Man Blues [J.R.Morton] (05:09)
08. Suite (part I) [A.von Schlippenbach] (11:37)
09. Suite (part II) [A.von Schlippenbach] (16:12)
10. Suite (part III) [A.von Schlippenbach] (05:37)
11. Suite (part IV) [A.von Schlippenbach] (11:30)
12. Black Bottom Stomp (encore) [J.R.Morton] (05:24)

Total Time 1:24:14

Black Bottom Stomp (encore)

Archie Shepp Quintet + RAI B.B. - Live in Rome '80

Second event/concert for the series "I Concerti di Un Certo Discorso".

here the complete list of all concerts.

Rec. live at "Teatro dell'Opera", Rome, Italy,
on March 10, 1980 (radio broadcast)

Archie Shepp,tenor & soprano saxes,vocal,piano
Charles "Majid" Greenlee,trombone
Dave Burrell,piano
Cameron Brown,bass
Charlie Persip,drums
+
RAI Big Band :
Nino Culasso/Doriano Beltrame/Cicci Santucci/Michele
Lacerenza,tps - Giancarlo Beccattini/Ernesto Pumpo/
Marco Pellacani/Gennaro Baldino,tbs - Gianni Oddi/Baldo
Maestri/Sal Genovese/Beppe Carrieri/Carlo Metallo,reeds
- Sergio Coppetelli/Pino Rucher,gt - Maurizio Majorana,b -
Carlo Zoffoli,vib

01. U-Jamaa [A.Shepp] (12:10)
02. Steam [A.Shepp] (11:41)
03. Quiet Dawn [C.Massey] (05:37)
04. Sophisticated Lady [D.Ellington] (09:42)
05. Rock Skippin' At The Blue Note [B.Strayhorn] (07:52)
06. Big Drag [D.Ellington] (13:18)
07. Come Sunday [D.Ellington] (05:06)
08. Goodbye Sweet Pops [C.Massey] (06:06)
09. Social Call [G.Gryce] (06:11)
10. Unknown (09:56)
11. Stolen Moments [A.Shepp]/The Theme [T.Monk] (04:56)
12. 'Round Midnight [T.Monk] (03:11)

Total Time 1:35:01

Rock Skippin' At The Blue Note

Giorgio Gaslini Quintet + RAI Orchestra - Live in Milan '80

One of the best line-up ever led by Giorgio Gaslini, officially
documented in the OOP Live at the Public Theater in New York
(Dischi della Quercia - 2Q 28009).

Rec. live at "Conservatorio G.Verdi", Milan, Italy, on February 13,
1980 (radio broadcast)

Giorgio Gaslini,piano,composer,conductor
Gianluigi Trovesi,alto & soprano sax,bass clarinet
Gianni Bedori,tenor & soprano sax
Marco Vaggi,bass
Gianni Cazzola,drums
+
(1-5) RAI Orchestra

1. Afro (06:10)
2. Ellingtoniana [Day Dream/Don't Get Around Much Anymore] (12:54)
3. Parkeriana [Lover Man] (07:13)
4. Jopliniana [Stoptime Rag] (02:22)
5. Monkiana [Ruby, My Dear/'Round Midnight/Let's Call This/
Straight No Chaser] (08:45)
6. Assalto Al Castello (19:55)
7. Swing Low, Sweet Charlie (07:35)
8. Mexico City Free (08:06)

Total Time 1:13:04

E. Rava & M.Mengelberg Octet + RAI B.B. - Live in Rome '80

Ninth event/concert for the series "I Concerti di Un Certo Discorso".
A very long concert divided into two set : each set in a folder.

here the complete list of all concerts.

Rec. live at "Teatro dell'Opera", Rome, Italy, on May 19, 1980
(radio broadcast)

Enrico Rava,trumpet
Ray Anderson,trombone
Renato Geremia,violin,tenor saxophone
Eugenio Colombo,alto saxophone,flute
Larry Fishkind,tuba
Misha Mengelberg,piano
Giovanni Tommaso,bass
Han Bennink,drums,reeds
+
RAI B.B. :
Nino Culasso/Doriano Beltrame/Cicci Santucci/Oscar
Valdambrini,tp - Giancarlo Beccattini/Marco Pellacani/
Gennaro Baldino/Dino Piana,tb - Gianni Oddi/Baldo
Maestri/Sal Genovese/Beppe Carrieri/Carlo Metallo,reeds
- Pino Rucher,gt - Carlo Zoffoli,vib

1. Fragments Suite [E.Rava] (1:16:59)
2. Eight Reflections Of The Crocodile Silopo [M.Mengelberg] (1:07:40)

Total Time 2:24:39

K.Wheeler/E.Parker/P.Rutherford/B.Guy/N.Morris + RAI B.B. - Live in Rome '80

Fifth event/concert for the series "I Concerti di Un Certo Discorso".

here the complete list of all concerts.

Rec. live at "Teatro dell'Opera", Rome, Italy,
on April 14, 1980 (radio broadcast)

Kenny Wheeler,trumpet,flugelhorn
Evan Parker,tenor & soprano saxophones
Paul Rutherford,trombone
Barry Guy,bass
Nigel Morris,drums
+
RAI Big Band :
Nino Culasso/Doriano Beltrame/Cicci Santucci/Michele
Lacerenza,tp - Giancarlo Beccattini/Ernesto Pumpo/
Marco Pellacani/Gennaro Baldino,tb - Gianni Oddi/Baldo
Maestri/Sal Genovese/Beppe Carrieri/Carlo Metallo,reeds
- Sergio Coppetelli/Pino Rucher,gt - Maurizio Majorana,b -
Carlo Zoffoli,vib - Roberto Pregadio,p - Roberto Zappulla,dr

1. Track #1 (08:46)
2. Track #2 (20:01)
3. Track #3 (22:03)
4. Track #4 (08:55)
5. Track #5 [inc.] (04:13)

Total Time 1:04:01

Chris McGregor Quintet + RAI Big Band - Live in Mestre '80

This is the fourth event/concert organized by the Italian RAI
(during 1980), with its own B.B. supporting the work of some
great contemporary composers/arrangers.
Even without D.Pukwana/M.Osborne/G.Windo/etc, McGregor
was able to produce some noteworthy music.

here the complete list of all concerts.

Rec. live at "Teatro Corso", Mestre, Italy,
on April 2, 1980 (radio broadcast)

Chris McGregor,piano,conductor
Radu Malfatti,trombone
Harry Miller,bass
Louis Moholo,drums
Jean-Claude Montredon,percussions
+
RAI Big Band :
Nino Culasso/Doriano Beltrame/Cicci Santucci/Michele
Lacerenza,tp - Giancarlo Beccattini/Ernesto Pumpo/
Marco Pellacani/Gennaro Baldino,tb - Gianni Oddi/Baldo
Maestri/Sal Genovese/Beppe Carrieri/Carlo Metallo,reeds
- Sergio Coppetelli/Pino Rucher,gt - Maurizio Majorana,b -
Carlo Zoffoli,vib - Roberto Pregadio,p - Roberto Zappulla,dr

1. Track #1 (06:00)
2. Track #2 (11:05)
3. Track #3 (15:04)
4. Track #4 (09:25)
5. Track #5 (06:29)
6. Track #6 (15:39)

Total Time 1:03:44

George Russell + RAI Big Band - Live in Rome '80

"how much significant music was sponsored and broadcast in Western
Europe...in the 60's and 70's ( and still)"
from the previous post by Spazz numbNuts.

In this case the Italian RAI was the co-producer of a series of 11 events
involving many great composers/arrangers and its own Orchestra
(the now defunct RAI Big Band).
See the complete program by clicking on the image above.

Re-listening to this concert, i've remembered a J.E.Berendt's article
(about the 60's Big Bands) concluding with a question :
"will ever return the Big Bands?"

Rec. live at Quercia del Tasso in Rome on June 6, 1980.
(radio broadcast)

George Russell, conductor, arranger
Alice Norbury, co-conductor (4)
Lew Soloff, trumpet, flugelhorn
Robert Moore, tenor & soprano saxophone
Bobo Stenson, piano
J.F.Jenny Clarke, bass
Keith Copeland, drums
+
RAI Big Band :
Nino Culasso/Doriano Beltrame/Cicci Santucci/Michele
Lacerenza,tp - Giancarlo Beccattini/Ernesto Pumpo/
Marco Pellacani/Gennaro Baldino,tb - Gianni Oddi/Baldo
Maestri/Sal Genovese/Beppe Carrieri/Carlo Metallo,reeds
- Sergio Coppetelli/Pino Rucher,gt - Maurizio Majorana,b -
Carlo Zoffoli,vib - Roberto Pregadio,p - Roberto Zappulla,dr

1. Ezz-Thetic (15:41)
2. Two Dimensions (13:23)
3. All About Rosie (11:54)
4. Living Time [Events V and VI] (22:50)
5. Time Spiral (24:10)
6. Listen To The Silence [Encore] (09:55)

Total Time 1:37:56

Happy Christmas To Everybody !