Marco Leonardi - Guitarra

“Guitarra”, the debut CD by Italian Classical, Jazz and Flamenco guitarist Marco Leonardi (Marleo for short), features eleven standards and one future standard: Nate Najar’s “Remembering Charlie Byrd”.

Marleo plays each tune in a romantic, classical fashion underlining the genuine melodic and harmonic foundation that has made tunes like “All the things You Are”, “Days of Wine and Roses”, “Do Nothing Until You Hear From me”, “Summertime”, The Shadow of Your Smile” and “The Man I Love” and others the standards that they are today.

Marleo’s interpretation of the CD’s twelve tunes is focused around his inspired and stirring Classical technique, featuring skilled finger-style performances and delightfully played chord-melody arrangements. Not surprisingly his guitar of choice is a warm sounding nylon-stringed Classical with a well-balanced tone.

For the record, a small caveat is warranted for those expecting the usual guitaristic improvisational exploits. Marleo strives for the beauty found within the melody and harmony and plays the solo arrangements very close to the vest ala Charlie Byrd or Laurindo Almeida. There are some single line explorations within a theme but for the most part Marleo doesn’t stray from his adept arrangements. The one exception is the Jobim tune “O Grand Amor” where Marleo, joined by bass and drums, gets to expand on his single line playing on top of the accompaniment with some pensive melodic improvisation.

“Guitarra” is a short, but sweet CD that runs for 28 minutes devoid of ego and pretension. It is perfect for getting back in touch with the purity of each tune or for those more intimate moments when beautiful music is needed to make the mood just right. Just ask my girlfriend. She is not a big Jazz Guitar fan but she loved Marleo’s “Guitarra” and you can’t ask for higher praise than that...:) I recommend this CD to any fan who enjoys good music and skillful playing. Check out Marleo’s SoundClick page at http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=414662 where last I read, he was giving his CD away for free providing you promise to donate some much needed cash to your local cancer association. A win-win situation all around. Goda la musica.

Go here to see what else Marleo has to offer.

Lyle Robinson