Murrina
Self-Released, 2025
8/10
A Tennessee artist who is versed in composing, arranging and playing piano, Margherita Fava brings along a few players for these 9 diverse jazz tracks.
“No Clue” opens with Fava’s dense keys and Jonathan Barber’s strategic drums that make for both soft and loud gestures, and “Keep On” follows with Bob Reynolds’ glowing sax that radiates tremendous warmth amid the creative original.
The title track lands in the middle and showcases Brandon Rose’s upright bass acrobatics that add much intrigue to the rich climate, while “Satin Doll” offers a frisky and energetic album highlight where Fava’s intricate keys are met with the bouncy rhythm section.
“Foreshadow” and “Alter Ego” exit. The former takes inspiration from Cedar Walton and pays strong attention to mood via the melodic piano and inviting bass and drums, and the latter recruits Jeff Babko and Taber Gable’s lively synthesizers for the lush and unpredictable finish that uses 7/8 time strategically.
This is Fava’s sophomore album and it illustrates a rising musician with much depth thanks to the blues, fusion, Latin and Italian sensibilities.
Travels well with: Heather McKay- Life Got In The Way; Ben Clifton- Overlook