Cover: ECM Records
Band · 1986
Enrico Rava / Dino Saluzzi Quintet
Volver and the 1986 tour
In autumn 1986 the Italian trumpeter Enrico Rava and the Argentine bandoneon player Dino Saluzzi brought Harry Pepl into their quintet. The album “Volver” was recorded for ECM at Tonstudio Bauer in Ludwigsburg, after which the band toured Europe for around three months. Pepl is nominally a sideman but, in Nikolaus Kohler's judgement, is decisive in shaping the overall impression of the album.
Harry Pepl Guitarist of the quintet
At a glance
- Line-up
- Enrico Rava (trumpet), Dino Saluzzi (bandoneon), Harry Pepl (guitar), Furio Di Castri (bass), Bruce Ditmas (drums)
- Also live
- Bob Moses (drums, Gütersloh 1986)
- Recording
- October 1986, Tonstudio Bauer, Ludwigsburg
- Album
- Volver, ECM
- Tour
- about three months through Europe from October 1986, including with the NDR Big Band in Hamburg
- Pepl's composition
- “Ballentine for Valentine”
Volver
In October 1986 the quintet recorded “Volver” at Tonstudio Bauer in Ludwigsburg: Enrico Rava (trumpet), Dino Saluzzi (bandoneon), Harry Pepl (guitar), Furio Di Castri (bass) and Bruce Ditmas (drums).1 The album was released on ECM; ECM dates the release to October 1987, Kohler gives 1988.2 Pepl wrote “Ballentine for Valentine”, an atonal theme in odd metres, which he played in other versions as “More Far Out Than East” on “Cracked Mirrors” and as “125/250” on the Air Mail album “Light Blues”.3
The tour
The quintet then toured Europe for about three months. On 10 October 1986 it played with the NDR Big Band at the Fabrik in Hamburg-Altona, and on 13 October at “Jazz in Gütersloh”, there with Bob Moses instead of Bruce Ditmas on drums.4 For Kohler, the engagement suggests that Pepl was seen at ECM and on the European scene as a first-rate instrumentalist.5
Pieces for Dino Saluzzi
After the tour Pepl wrote the piece “Dinozzo”, an instant composition that he dedicated to Saluzzi; it is the closing piece on the album “N.Y.C. Impressure”.6 For the Ensemble Wien he composed the “Ballade for Mr. Dinozo” in 1989, likewise dedicated to Saluzzi.7
Parts
Pepl is, admittedly, a “sideman” in a certain sense, but he nonetheless plays a decisive part in shaping the overall impression of the album.
Releases
Questions and answers
On which album does Harry Pepl play with Enrico Rava and Dino Saluzzi?
On “Volver” (ECM), recorded in October 1986 at Tonstudio Bauer in Ludwigsburg.
Which piece by Pepl is on “Volver”?
“Ballentine for Valentine”. Pepl also played it as “More Far Out Than East” on “Cracked Mirrors” and as “125/250” with Air Mail.
Who played in the quintet?
Enrico Rava (trumpet), Dino Saluzzi (bandoneon), Harry Pepl (guitar), Furio Di Castri (bass) and Bruce Ditmas (drums); on the tour also Bob Moses.
Which pieces did Pepl dedicate to Dino Saluzzi?
“Dinozzo”, which was released on “N.Y.C. Impressure”, and the “Ballade for Mr. Dinozo”, which the Ensemble Wien played at the Musikverein in 1989.