“Renato is a superlative saxophonist with a passionate and poetic soul. He has all the virtues – a beautiful sense of time and pacing and a technique which effortlessly projects his brilliantly flowing ideas.” Ian Carr – Jazz writer. “D’Aiello’s weighty, behind-the-beat sound shows how a poetic imagination can rekindle a long-gone style without nostalgia …” John Fordham – The Guardian.
Born in Naples 1959. Renato began to study the saxophone on 1979 at the age of 20, with virtuoso sax player Antonio Andolfi, then with Sal Nistico, Steve Grossman, Tony Scott.
Photograph below by Colin Attenborough from the Jazznights gig.
He started his professional career playing with Giovanni Tommaso big band for Pupi Avati’s tv program in 1986/87.
In 1987 he received a full tuition scholarship from Berklee college of Boston.
International tours followed in 1991 with Tony Scott and on 1992 Renato toured Japan with Yoshida Masahiro trio.
In 1993 and 1995 he toured Japan again with same trio.
Tours of Europe with Art Farmer and Rachel Gould in 1996/97.
His composition credits include music for an opera entitled “Seven Red Doors” by writer Oberto Airaudi and several co-productions for IRMA Records as sax player and producer.
In1999 became resident in UK.
He has played with a number of world class musicians in his career, including:
Art Farmer, Sal Nistico, Steve Grossman, Eddie Duran, Kirk Lightsey, Keith Copeland, Duffy Jackson, Roland Prince, Alain Jean Marie, Spike Robinson, Jim Mullen, Claire Teal, Bruce Forman, Gene Calderazzo, Phil Lee, Sax Appeal, Bruce Adams, Mark Bassey, C.Tracey, D.Green, G. Husband, P. Jacobsen, S. Melling, Gilad Atzmon, P. Robson and John Chritchinson.
He performed at major UK venues, including:
The Late Night Show at Ronnie Scott’s, Upstairs at the Ronnie Scott’s Bar, The Royal Festival Hall foyer, Jazz Cafe’, The Vortex, The Barbican foyer, Wigmore Hall, The National Theatre Foyer, Pizza Express Dean street, Pizza Express Maidstone, The Crypt camberwell, The Crypt St.Martin In fields Trafalgar Square, Pizza on the park, Jazz Cafe’ Posk, Primo Bar at Hotel Plaza Westminster,Italian Cultural Institute Of London, 606 Club.
Renato was playing with the the Jazznights Trio who were:
Roger Odell – Drums
As one of the founder members and drummer with the jazz-funk group Shakatak, Roger has toured internationally and recorded numerous CDs, which he continues to do on a regular basis to this day.
Musically, his first love was always straight-ahead contemporary jazz and he has played with most of the great names on the UK jazz scene.He recently produced his own critically acclaimed CD “The Blue Window” by Beatifik, which featured top UK saxophonist Mornington Lockett. Jacqui Hicks and Larraine.
Roger is the author of three technical articles which appeared in the international magazine Modern Drummer, and is an Endorsee Artist for Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks and Hardcases
Bernie Hodgkins – Double Bass
Inspired by an uncle, who played and recorded with Django Reinhart and Stephane Grappelli in the legendary Quintet de Hot Club of France, Bernie grew up in a Jazz-oriented family. Their influence led him to become a respected bass player behind such people as Matt Munroe, Dickie Valentine and Dennis Lotus, in the early stages of his career.
Touring in Europe and further afield with a wide variety of artists honed his skills and added to his prodigious repertoire. Supports to players like John Scofield, and singers such as Annie Ross always proved inspirational and served to reinforce his enduring love affair with jazz.
Spending much of his time in the recording studios, he is equally at home and in demand as an enthusiastic “live” rhythm section player, as is testified by his work with Don Rendell, Jack Parnell, George Chisholm, Pete Jacobson, John Etheridge, Kenny Baker, Allan Skidmore, Dave O’Higgins and many others.
Simon Brown – Piano
A regular pianist at Jazznights for a number of years Simon is also in the resident rhythm section for the Norwich Jazz Club at The Cottage, Thorpe St. Andrew.
Originally influenced by the great Nat King Cole he has now developed a style which references all of the major modern pianists including Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, et al.
As well as being a first choice pianist for many singers, Simon also runs various bands of his own including the latest venture Beyond Cantaloupe, featuring his arrangements of the music of Herbie Hancock.
With additional vocals from:
Larraine Odell – vocals
Beginning her professional singing career with the group CMU with whom she recorded two albums, Larraine performed at numerous venues throughout the UK and Europe, including the 
Purcell Room, RFH.
She has since appeared at Ronnie Scott’s Club as a member of the group Jimpster and at most of the jazz clubs in the region. Jazz Festival appearances include Bures, Aldeburgh, Layer Marney and Southwold.
Larraine’s CD entitled “Portrait” attracted excellent reviews as did her performance on “The Blue Window” CD by Beatifik. She also appeared on Jimpster’s “Messages From The Hub” and is represented on the “Jazz In Essex – Vol 2″ CD.
“I love Larraine’s voice…she has something special” Chrissie Murray – Ronnie Scott’s House Magazine.
“Larraine shows a range and soulfulness that simply cannot be taught” – Kenneth Pearson – Jazzmanonline.
Larraine Odell opened the first set with:
Taking A Chance On Love. The composer was Vernon Duke and the lyricist John Latouche. Ted Fetter is often credited as co-lyricist, but in fact he had written an earlier lyric for this song which Duke had dug out of the proverbial trunk and for which Latouche supplied a new lyric.
Mad About the Boy is a popular song with words and music by actor and playwright Sir Noël 
Coward. It was introduced in the 1932 revue Words and Music by Joyce Barbour, Steffi Duna, Norah Howard and Doris Hare.
Weaver of Dreams is an album by guitarist Kenny Burrell recorded in 1960 and 1961 and originally released on the Columbia label. The album features Burrell’s vocal talents as well as his guitar playing.
The Masquerade Is Over (1938) Music by Allie Wrubel and Lyrics from Herb Magidson. Featured by Billie Holiday among many others.
Renato D’Aiello the joined the Jazznights Trio to play:
Bye, Bye, Blackbird is a song published in 1926 by the American composer Ray Henderson and lyricist Mort Dixon. It is considered a popular standard and was first recorded by Gene Austin in 1926
Portrait Of Jennie (1948) is from a film of the same name and is the title song written by J. Russell Robinson, which subsequently became a hit for Nat King Cole.
I Remember You was a collaboration of Victor Schertzinger and Johnny Mercer was introduced in the 1942 motion picture The Fleet’s In, featuring Jimmy Dorsey’s Orchestra.
I Wish I Knew (1945) written by Harry Warren and brought to the jazz world by Chet Baker.
Following the interval and the Jazznights raffle of 3 jazz cd’s and a bottle of wine we had the traditional Jazznights sitting in spot which is open to all musicians who have an opportunity to play with the band. Tonight we had the pleasure of Geoff Harriman playing his harmonica in his version of Sunny.
Renato D’Aiello then re-joined the band to play:
Body and Soul is a popular song and jazz standard written in 1930 by Johnny Green. One of the most famous and influential takes was recorded by Coleman Hawkins and His Orchestra on October 11, 1939, at their only recording session for Bluebird, a subsidiary of RCA Victor.
It was Parker’s version of If I Should Lose You that brought the song to the attention of both jazz instrumentalists and vocalists. Music written by Ralph Rainger.
I Remember You written by Victor Schertzinger. It was another of Charlie Parker’s stellar Verve session recordings from July 1953 with Bird in magnificent flight as was Renato’s version this evening.
If Ever I would Leave You written by Frederick Loewe and featured in Camelot and famously recorded by Kenny Dorham.
QUE PASA will be at Jazznights on Sunday 22nd June 2014
Featuring Adam Amor on saxophones, Peter Lemer (ex Barbara Thompson, Ginger Baker) on piano, Steve Cook (ex Mike Westbrook, Soft Machine) on double bass, and Paul Robinson (ex Nina Simone, Trevor Horn, Van Morrison) on drums plus Special Guest Paul Higgs (trp) this All-Star band play Latin jazz, standards, originals and contemporary jazz.
THE BEST IN BRITISH MODERN JAZZ is at Jazznights, The Cock Inn, 3, Callis Street, Clare, Suffolk, CO10 8PX
Admission £10. Doors open 7.30pm. Music 8.00-10.30pm.
Reserve seating on 01787 237653 or email info@jazz-nights.com
Pay on the night.
You can join us at facebook, read reviews of previous performances on more opinions blog or tweet at twitter.com/jazznightsuk
For further information on future gigs which will feature JACQUI HICKS (voc), CHRISTINE TOBIN (voc) & PHIL ROBSON (gtr), DAVE O’HIGGINS (sax), SIMON SPILLETT (sax) amongst others go to www.jazz-nights.com
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