Live At Carmelo's 1981 (2CD)

Sal made this fine 2 CD recording in Los Angeles after returning to the US in early 1981 after a lengthy stay in Europe. (He made another great recording 10 days later in another club 30 minutes south of San Francisco. The latter is called "Sal Nistico Live" and I also gave it a 5 star review on Amazon. ) Different rhythm sections but same exciting results.If you haven't heard Sal, do so soon. He is one of the Upstate New York "Burners." They include Don Menza, J.R. Monterose, Joe Romano and baritone sax great Nick Brignola. Sal started out playing with Upstate Burner Chuck Mangione before Chuck went into more commercial music. But Sal's claim to fame is his long tenure with Woody Herman's Herd, as their tenor star. Fellow band members respected him as one who would plant his feet and blow the house down. He has a rugged, swaggering sound and a style all his own. His solos are marvels of invention.But Sal said he really wanted to play his way, not the big band way. This recording has him doing just that. Here he rips through standards such as "Lester Leaps In," "How Deep is the Ocean," and "You Stepped Out of A Dream." They also play originals and even a Hank Mobley and Coltrane number.The able supporting cast is pianist Frank Strazzeri, Frank De La Rosa on bass and John Dentz drums. Just like Sal, Strazzeri falls into the category of under appreciated talent. Jazz is filled with underappreciated artists. Sal returned to Europe shortly after this period so he could play his way. He died in 1991. Get this recording and enjoy him now.