Mauro Ottolini is always up to something. If you let him read the history of Early Jazz (the “Storyville” and “Bix Factor” projects), he extracts ancestral sounds from the sea shells; if you are intrigued by the live soundtrack of Dante’s Comedy or a Buster Keaton’s movie, he floors you with the Licaones’ modern groove, together with another music agitator such as Francesco Bearzatti. He can move you with an event about Tenco and other singer-songwriters, amuse you with a celebration of Buscaglione’s noir genius or tribute to the great soul voices with Karima and The Big Easy Trio. And much more. In any case, Ottolini puts inspiration and a certain amount of self-mockery, like those who don’t take themselves too seriously while making serious music. Such an experienced and creative musician holds a special place on the Italian jazz scene. One of his projects is the Orchestra Ottovolante – this was the title of a RAI variety show by Garinei and Giovannini and directed by Antonello Falqui). The project is focused on the Italian songs of the 30s-60s made famous by radio, television and the Sanremo Music Festival. They perform Italian standards entered into the Real Book of Italian jazzmen. Despite their commercial use, these top-quality popular songs are associated with personalities such as Fred Buscaglione, Renato Carosone, Domenico Modugno, Gorni Kramer, the Trio Lescano, Natalino Otto, Fatima Robin’s, Nilla Pizzi and Mina. There are also Latin elements. Thanks also to the contribution of Vanessa Tagliabue Yorke’s sophisticated vocality, the orchestra is fun and well supports its leader. What’s surprising is that, beneath the veneer of dust and played with verve and knowledge, these songs still have all their appeal.
