With his clear sound, the Italian alt and soprano sax player Stefano Di Battista has been causing quite a stir. Michel Petrucciani asked him to join his sextet when Di Battista had only just started playing music professionally, while super-drummer Elvin Jones enjoys working with this young talent as well. Though he resides in France nowadays, the sax player has a soft spot for his birthplace Rome. With his quartet and an orchestra full of celebrated French musicians, he recently paid it an inspired tribute: Round About Roma - a cross-pollination of jazz, classical and atmospheric film music. This CD includes beautiful, elegant performances that exude enthusiasm, while melancholy sentiments predominate. Vince Mendoza's violin arrangements may seem a little soft but Di Battista easily manages to carry it off in these smooth - to him - waters. Which just goes to show this neobopper's talent.
