ichael Nicolella began as a jazz guitarist, transferred his affections to
the classic instrument and now applies his skills to both in due turn.
Others have 'crossed the track' in one direction or the other but none has
done so with the technical and/or musical success as Nicolella, who,
chameleon-like, achieves comparable distinction in both fields. I can think
of no-one else who could juxtapose such disparate pieces as Berio's
SequenzaXI and Jimi Hendrix's Little Wing at the end of his programme and
still be 'heard' as two different players of outstanding quality.
Much is owed to the sagacity of his approach to the classic guitar. Instead
of seeing it merely as an alternative medium for jazz he embraced it and its
music as 'anotherworld', bringing with him an open musical mind and the
well-developed left-hand technique of a jazz guitarist. He studied with
famous teachers of the classic instrument, and still keeps the two musical
areas firmly compartmented.
What is there to be said of a record whose programme is redolent of a
salesman who empties his bag on ones doorstep, with items (not least Rogers'
breathless Push) that will frighten the average classic-guitar lover, and
others may try the patience of the devoted jazz buff? It is hard to decide
at whom this remarkable disc is aimed, but I commend it to all whose minds
are open to a display of stunning technical skill and unfailing musicality
over a very broad spectrum. Those who insist on putting things into
pigeonholes will have a hard time with it!
ichael Nicolella began as a jazz guitarist, transferred his affections to
the classic instrument and now applies his skills to both in due turn.
Others have 'crossed the track' in one direction or the other but none has
done so with the technical and/or musical success as Nicolella, who,
chameleon-like, achieves comparable distinction in both fields. I can think
of no-one else who could juxtapose such disparate pieces as Berio's
SequenzaXI and Jimi Hendrix's Little Wing at the end of his programme and
still be 'heard' as two different players of outstanding quality.