Armando Luongo « New Lands » - Jazz Tour Les Lundis d’Hortense

Armando Luongo has been the man behind the best saxophonists, guitarists, trumpeters and pianists, both Belgian and international, for over twenty years. His reputation as a sideman drummer is well established. But here he is, this time as leader of his own band, which will astonish many.

In most people's minds, a drummer is all about cadence, pulse and rhythmic tension. With Armando Luongo, it's also a sense of melody and a gift for storytelling.    

Between lively, optimistic moments - and others that are more introspective - the group takes us on a journey through resolutely contemporary jazz that has drawn on the finest works written by its predecessors. Leaving plenty of room for improvisation on the inspired saxophone, sunny guitar, unbridled piano and inventive trumpet, Armando explores a wide range of feelings and emotions. The dialogue is always spontaneous, lively, joyful and profound. It's the perfect balance of sweetness, lyricism and strong character. Rich with beautiful harmonies, groove, swing and crazy polyrhythms, the drummer takes us on a tour of a beautiful imaginary land. Pack your bags and make some room to bring back some unforgettable images.

With ‘New Lands’, Armando Luongo explores new territory: first and foremost in terms of composition, since this is his very first release in this field, but undoubtedly also in terms of the emotions he conjures up to offer melodies that succeed in moving without embellishment: a universal territory where Armando manages to convey the most intimate emotions to everyone.

In some of the more introspective pieces, the drums are at one with the harmonic section, crystallising the lyrical side of Armando's beautiful melodies. In others, the modern influences give free rein to the brass for a successful interpretation that encourages us to say to ourselves that sometimes, in music too, magic works. The tracks follow one another, alternating between the predominance of the guitar or the piano, depending on whether the composition is melancholic or more rhythmic, leaving a meditative impression without losing sight of all that is most modern about jazz drums.

As part of the Jazz Tour. A collaboration between An Vert and Les Lundis d'Hortense.

https://leslundisdhortense.be