There is no doubt that Romano is one of the most creative and intelligent Italian musicians on the scene. Voted Best New Italian Talent of 2020 in our Top Jazz poll, the Florentine double bass player has produced a number of exquisitely crafted albums, each very different from the others. These include Totem (his debut as a leader, released five years ago and featuring special guest American trumpeter Ralph Alessi) and Invisible Painters (his second album, released in 2023). With his third project, The Legends of Otranto (GleAm Records/IRD), things change. This is true in terms of both the lineup — alongside Romano and Ermanno Baron on drums are Estonian pianist Kirke Karja and Finnish accordion virtuoso Veli Kujala — and the style. The album moves from jazz to contemporary music, from chamber music to experimental passages, and from drum-and-bass interludes to overwhelming, rock-inspired pieces. This is yet another demonstration […]