So In Love - Gene DiNovi

Eastern Rebellion — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 15:52:11 GMT

“So In Love” is a compact disc recorded on the Marshmallow label from Japan featuring the highly regarded pianist Gene DiNovi. Gene has been a mainstay on the Canadian jazz scene for many years, after moving to Toronto in the early 1970’s. This was a trio album, with two other well known Canadian jazzers helping out. Neil Swainson provides the bottom end on double bass, and Terry Clarke brings his distinctive talents as a drummer to the session. According to the liner notes, (at least the ones in English, the album was manufactured and released in Japan so most of the notes are in Japanese), Gene was a favourite of Mitsuo Johfu, owner of the Marshmallow label and “a jazz enthusiast of impeccable taste and with fine feeling for the music”. Gene and Mitsuo worked together collaboratively, with Mitsuo as producer, and released three CD’s during the 1990’s. A decision was made to record another, and “So In Love” was recorded at Lydian Sound Studio in Richmond Hill Ontario on March 21 & 22, 2001. This recording was also produced by Mitsuo. The CD has 11 tracks in total with most being standards and Gene contributing three original compositions. Gene mentions in the liner notes that two successive days of recording - 12 hours of concentrated music-making “was very challenging, but very satisfying musically”. Gene also said that while he worked out a few things ahead of time with Neil, otherwise it was straight ahead, and that with “musicians of this calibre, you don’t need too much rehearsal. I had the benefit of a 7 foot Yamaha Grand (piano) and a very good recording engineer, so conditions could not have been better”.

My impressions of the recording after listening to it for start to finish were uniformly positive. The piano sound is outstanding, having been brilliantly captured during the recording. The bass and drums mixed perfectly, providing all of the required support, while at the same time complimenting Gene’s playing. I particularly enjoyed the trio’s rendition of “All Or Nothing At All”.

The CD was released in 2001. The actual packaging is that of a hard cover book with tray inside to hold the disc, and the liner notes attached as pages. the front has a black and white photo of an attractive young lady and the back has a colour photo of Gene, along with information about the recording itself. I actually found this CD along with four others at a thrift store where I paid one dollar each (!) for them. I have no hesitation in recommending this excellent recording.

Days Gone By featuring Sonny Greenwich and Ed Bickert

Eastern Rebellion — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:09:46 GMT

Days Gone By is a recording featuring Ed Bickert and Sonny Greenwich; two of Canada’s finest jazz guitarists. They are supported on the recording by the very capable rhythm section of Don Thompson (double bass) and Terry Clarke (drums). It can difficult to coordinate a guitarist and a pianist when performing, and two guitars is even more of a challenge. One must always be conscious of not stepping on toes when the other guy is playing. This recording is a master class in how it is done right. It is fascinating to hear how the two guitarists take turns soloing and “comping” behind each other. Clarke’s drumming is busy without being intrusive, and Thompson’s bass playing is propulsive and supportive. There are 8 songs on the recording, and the two main soloists have plenty of room to stretch out. According the liner notes, “One summer afternoon in 1979, Sonny and Ed met up with bassist Don Thompson and drummer Terry Clarke at the bassist’s Puget Sound Studio. The tape machine was turned on and the music flowed.” The session has a relaxed feeling, with the musicians really enjoying themselves playing the type of music they enjoy, while at the same time pushing each other to perform. To be fair, there are some instances of distortion and a few minor miscues, but these flaws take nothing away from the vitality and musicality of the performances. All the tracks are great, although some are real standouts. On “I’ll Take Romance”, the rhythm section lays out and we get to hear the two guitarists on their own. Everybody really digs in on “Oleo”, the hard bop standard written by Sonny Rollins. After the song is over, you get to hear the musicians spontaneously express their themselves on how much fun they had in playing it. Although the recording took place in 1979, it wasn’t released until 2000 for some reason. We can only thank fortune that the tapes were held onto and that eventually we were give the opportunity to listen to some extraordinary playing. The compact disc version was released on the Sackville label and a digital version is available on itunes.