Sal Nistico and Charlie Mariano, 1989

The new Fresh Sound album unites the two saxophonists for the first time

Jordi Pujol, the founder and owner of Spain’s Fresh Sound Records, maintained close relationships with many American jazz greats after he launched the label in 1983. In addition to re-issuing their 1950s albums long out of print in the U.S. and buried in the vaults of music conglomerates, Jordi often recorded the musicians when they were in Barcelona. [Photo above of Sal Nistico by unkown photographer]

Out now is a terrific new album, Charlie Mariano and Sal Nistico: Barcelona Meeting, recorded in November 1989. Combining alto saxophonist Charlie Mariano and tenor saxophonist Sal Nistico was a stroke of genius. This album marks the first time they have recorded together. I’ll let Jordi’s liner notes pick up the start of the story:

“I am pleased to present this previously unreleased recording, whose story dates back to 1989. During a conversation with Frank Strazzeri, the name of Sal Nistico came up—a tenor saxophonist I long admired and Frank knew well.

“Frank told me it wouldn't be difficult to involve Sal in a recording project, since he was living at the time in Bern, Switzerland, and that Frank could call him and explain that if he decided to come to Barcelona, Frank would also come so they could record together.

“Frank and I had developed a close friendship after meeting in Los Angeles in
1986, a bond that lasted until his passing in 1994. During those years, Frank
visited Barcelona on several occasions to record for Fresh Sound, always
surrounded by extraordinary musicians such as Don Menza, Joe Romano, or
Bill Perkins.

“Those experiences remain deeply vivid in my memory. Once Frank and Sal had confirmed their participation, I suggested to Frank that Charlie Mariano—who was living in Germany then—might also join the project. Charlie had recently been in Barcelona recording with Tete Montoliu's trio, and Frank thought it was an excellent idea.

“I called Charlie to tell him about the session, and his response was immediate and enthusiastic. Within a few days he confirmed his availability, which filled me with joy at the prospect of bringing together three musicians of such stature in Barcelona.

“Sal said he would travel with bassist Isla Eckinger, his preferred musical
partner. As for the drummer, we all agreed that Peer Wyboris—then a member
of Tete Montoliu's trio and already familiar with Charlie—was the ideal choice.

“With the group complete, all that remained was to wait for their arrival.
Frank and Charlie flew in, while Sal and Isla arrived by train. As was
customary, we shared a meal together to establish a first contact.”

Jordi recorded the two saxophonists in three parts. He had each record tracks alone backed by the rhythm section and then had them play together with the section. This approach gives the listener an opportunity to hear Mariano and Nistico alone and then combined.

The results are superb, on both the uptempo pieces and ballads. Both saxophonists are in top form—Mariano is slippery with a slightly sour tone, while Nistico is brash and straight-ahead. The album also provides terrific piano solos by Strazzeri.

Three cheers for Jordi. I’m almost scared to ask him how many more albums at this level still await release in Barcelona.

Charlie Mariano died in 2009, at age 85; Sal Nistico died in 1991, at age 52; and Frank Strazzeri died in 2014, at age 84.

To buy, go here.

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