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Dom Minasi and Jack DeSalvo

SOLDANO DIECI ANNI

So here we are. Two guitarist who never played together and yet we decide to record an album. How does that work? I knew who Jack DeSalvo was because he put out The Bird The Girl and The Donkey II on his Unseen Rain record label, but I really didn’t know him as a guitarist till he said, “We should record together.” Immediately I went to YouTube and found him. Wow - what a player! I emailed and said don’t you think we should get together and play at least once? He agreed and came over and we played mostly free, but then I took out some of my straight ahead tunes and the magic began. So we finally agreed on a date and each brought three original tunes to Beanstudio in New Jersey. The plan was to play some free music and some originals. Of course neither of us had seen each other’s music, which is always a challenge. But I like challenges. We also decided to bring our archtops and acoustic guitars. Jack brought a nylon string and I brought flat-top steel. Little did I know that Jack was an amazing finger style player. We immediately recorded the free music. Three pieces. Then on to the originals. A quick talk over about directions: who solos first and which guitars to use - then on to recording. How can I say how satisfied both of us are? First takes on everything. Jack’s tunes were not easy harmonically and they were a challenge, but as I said earlier, I like challenges. A few weeks later I heard the mixes that Jack’s brother Jim did and was completely happy. Next came the masters and the order. I designed the the order and suggested that Jack’s Soltano Dieci Anni be the title. I had no idea what it meant, but it seemed to fit our styles. So here we are with our new CD that I’m very proud of and a shout-out thank you to Jack for this project and Jim DeSalvo and his Beanstudio for putting so much time and love into this.

– Dom Minasi When I first came to New York as a young guitar player I was fortunate enough to play with some great older players, including drummer Chris Braun and bassist Mike Bocchicchio, who helped initiate me into the deep secrets of swing. Bocchicchio repeatedly goaded me to listen to someone he occassionally gigged with who was the epitome of great jazz guitar playing.This person was Dom Minasi. I am honored to be part of this duo recording with this great artist. We found so much common ground that we not only created completely extemporaneous pieces but played and improvised on original compositions that the other had never read or seen before. Love and thanks to Dom and Jim for their estimable work on this project.

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“…YOU CAN TRUST IN THE CAPABLE HANDS OF DESALVO AND MINASI TO DELIVER A CAPTIVATING PERFORMANCE.” PAUL ACQUARO Free Jazz Blog

"They show deep roots, great subtlety, advanced interactions and the kind of spontaneity that an album like this demands. Hats off to Dom and Jack! Bravo!" Gapplegate Bass and Guitar Blog

" It's the sound of two accomplished jazz guitarists immediately finding common ground, effortlessly moving from inside to outside, from composed to free." Mark Sullivan All About Jazz

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Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Soldano Dieci Anni

Unseen Rain Records
2016

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