Sentimentale

One of the finest accordion players of his era—with rigorous technique and phrasing that ranges from effusive to elliptical—Richard Galliano moves deftly in the worlds of jazz, musette, tango, Brazilian, and classical music. He digs most deeply into jazz on *Sentimentale*, using an international quintet that includes pianist/arranger Tamir Hendelman and guitarist Anthony Wilson. The band ably capture the groove of Horace Silver’s “The Jody Grind,” the yearning balladry of Duke Ellington’s “In a Sentimental Mood,” and even the swirling mysticism of John Coltrane’s “Naima.” Also included here are Galliano’s old “Ballade Pour Marion” and his brand-new “Lili,” an airy duo with Wilson.

Sentimentale puts Galliano’s lyrical sensitivity front and center. This is a lively and spirited collection of performances, with melodies from across cultures, from Coltrane’s “Naima” to the Brazilian standard “Verbos Do Amor” to a couple of Galliano originals that emit their own timeless mystique. He benefits here from the help of a glove-tight ensemble, featuring premier improvisers from around the world: Tamir Hendelman on piano, Anthony Wilson on guitar, Carlitos Del Puerto on bass and Mauricio Zottarelli on drums. Over the course of 11 tracks, Hendelman’s masterful arrangements allow Galliano’s shimmering and fulsome accordion sound to take prominence while seeming to anchor the band, not tip its scales. The arrangements hold a tight center while moving between swing and subtle modern jazz rhythms, and the band members react deftly to Galliano’s gentle inflections.

Sentimentale is accordionist Richard Galliano's debut as a leader for Resonance Records.