Flut3ibe – flute tribe – is an Italian group of three flutists – Stefano Leonardi, Stefano Benini and Michele Gori that revives the flute as a leading instrument in jazz. Benini is one of the innovative explorers of the jazz flute, conducted many theoretical studies on the flute and published an award-winning instruction book on the instrument, its techniques and legacy. Gori plays on the whole flute’s family, with classical and contemporary outfits and published many practice books, including one on the electric flute. Leonardi recorded recently a homage to the late American sax player-flutist Thomas Chapin («Conversations About Thomas Chapin», Leo Records, 2014).
The group’s sophomore album was recorded live on December 2014 at the Ai Confini tra Sardegna e Jazz and is released as a limited-edition of 200 vinyls, with a painted gatefold cover designed by Italian artist Massimiliano Amati. The performance features pieces from the Flut3ibe debut album «Moiré» (Bu Bop, 2012) plus two covers that highlight the open, inclusive interplay of Flut3ibe, incorporating into its modern jazz-based extended improvisations elements from imaginary folklore.
On the opening «Plastic Vortex» Benini spins the rhythmic sounds of the Australian Aboriginal didgeridoo into a busy choir of flutes . «The Jumping Cat/Jean-Pierre» plays with another infectious rhythmic theme, this time of Miles Davis «Jean Pierre» (originally from «We Want Miles», CBS, 1982), in its turn based on a French lullaby, leaving enough room for pianist Andrea Tarozzi and drummer Nicola Stranieri to join this playful abstraction of the theme. «Whitesox» that closes side A sketches a mysterious melody but this time sounding as paying homage to Don Cherry’s folk-songs melodies. Side B opens with «Chaotic Paths» and «Piuma», both are open improvisations where the three flutists converse emphatically as old friends who just now met after a long time, enjoying the solid rhythmic basis of Tarozzi and Stranieri. The performance is closed with Herbie Mann classic «Memphis Underground» (from his self-titled album, Atlantic, 1959), coloring the organic flute interplay with a playful rhythm and blues vibe.
Eyal Hareuveni
Stefano Leonardi (fl, bfl), Stefano Benini (fl, altofl, didgeridoo, koncovka), Michele Gori (fl, piccolo), Andrea Tarozzi (p), Nicola Stranieri (dr)
