2008
January

Chitarre
 

“With his second Cd, the guitarist Luigi Pignatiello confirms and consolidates the good impression of his début album “Crossworld” [Chitarre 230], only a few years ago. By working in trio he reveals his ability and creativity, performing an extremely varied repertory; ’’Concierto de Aranjuez’’ by Rodrigo, ‘’Comfortably numb’’ by Pink Floyd, ‘’Spain’’ by Corea, ‘’Cantaloupe Island’’ by Hancock and ‘’Insensatez’’ by Jobim.

His talent as a guitarist is evident in all the tracks, but what grabs your attention are the solo inventions distributed with lots of passion, without over-using the common patterns of jazz and fusion guitar. Well supported by the rhythmn section, Ottavio Saviano on drums and Guido Aulisi on bass, Pignatiello shows an amazing ability and creativity in his solo inventions that can even make over-played tracks, such as ‘My Favorite Things’, sound as new and original creations, maybe thanks to the oriental style he gives to this version.

His original compositions reveal a skilled music writer and his Mediterranean taste for melody; some tracks are remarkable: ‘’The Trip’’, an acoustic ballad, and the experimental ‘’Vincent", the only track with over-recordings beside  electronic effects.
Last but not least, his performance as a vocalist in the swing, ‘’I just found out about love’’ is brilliant.”

Mario Calvitti (All About Jazz)

2007
November

www.musicfield.jp
jazzyell
 

“Wearing a black hat as his distinctive look, Luigi Pignatiello plays, day after day, in several Italian live houses. A lot of attention is paid to this new work for its passion and enthusiasm being full of energy and vigor as you would have in a live concert.

Luigi, who attended courses at Berklee and studied under the guidance of Mick Goodrick and Frank Gambale, in his music strongly merges the feeling and the energy of Rock with jazz improvisation. His voice and several instruments from everywhere in the world are amazingly used in this work.

In the first track the superiority of both his voice and his guitar makes your hips move instinctively and the same happens with track no. 9, a remake from the greatest hits of  Pink Floyd.”

Jazzyell

2007
May

Musica jazz
 

“Solo guitar, trio, vocals and a very wide repertoire which enlarges on different musical styles: jazz, bossa-nova, classic music and Pink Floyd too…

Everything is performed with valuable ability and skill by the band leader (also the composer of  four of the album tracks, like the evocative Angel Drive) and his rhythm section: Guido Aulisi on bass and Ottavio Saviano on percussions”.

(B.S)

2006
December

Paolo Piangiarelli
Philology producer
(cover notes from the Cd According to me)

“This Cd is amazing in several ways! Not only it perform and confirm the talent Luigi Pignatiello’s guitar has revealed in “Crossworld”, but it enlarges its dimension, both from a point of view of the composition and arrangement and his remarkable vocal performance.

If you like George Benson, as both guitarist and singer (and how could you not?), here, you’ll find a guitarist-vocalist who’s been positively influenced by him, but without any attempt to clone him, our Luigi sounds even better than his model, at least as a jazz singer.”

Paolo Piangiarelli

2005
March

Museo del Corso

“Pignatiello’s acoustic guitar is already considered a legend on the contemporary jazz scene. Luigi Pignatiello graduated in classical guitar at very young age only to go on to gain a second qualification in jazz composition.

This was the start of an intensive career as a concert pianist, composer and arranger. He has performed for Rai, Mediaset, and Radio Vaticana and worked with various jazz, blues and folks groups as well as with great conductors such as Pregadio and Tiso.
He is a permanent member of the Universe Orchestra which accompanied Christian De Sica on his long theatre tour with Gershwin’s “An American in Paris”.

He has recorded for various labels, composing pieces for world famous singers. He has performed on some of the most important international stages and been involved in numerous record and cinema productions.

With his “Crossworld” project, and also when playing in trio or quartet with a variety of musicians, Pignatiello offers his audience a concert of Mediterranean sounds where the flavours of jazz and blues are mixed with stylish ethnic elements to be followed by more rhythmical, appealing, always simple and stylish offerings”.

2005
January

Cicci Santucci
(cover notes from the CD Crossworld)

“…What is more remarkable is Luigi’s sensible, intimate, and polite feeling. He illustrates his themes with elegance, cleanliness and clarity and at the same time he develops his improvisations without falling into easy routines.

His compositions span various styles, which result from his experience which demonstrate a solid and deep background in various musical genres, ranging from jazz to funk and from rock to latino…”

Cicci Santucci

2005
May

Jazz convention Italia

”The brilliant and malicious ad hoc playing of the electric, classical, and accustic guitar of Luigi Pignatiello resounds clearly in the CD “Crossworld”...

...Pignatiello adorns with prized fragrance his descriptive weave of acoustics, gracefully penetrating and gradually evocative design and a limpid exudation of lyricism with vivid results.”

Giordano Selini

2005
April

Chitarre

…“An interesting work of the guitarist and musician, Luigi Pignatiello, who assembles the experiences that have matured in the years through studies, journeys, and performances...
in this CD’s debut, he presents himself in a quartet, accompanied by Gaia Possenti at the piano; Francesco Puglisi at the bass; Ottavio Saviano at the percussions; and Cicci Santucci at the trumpet and phlycorn as guest.

The CD is appreciated for the strong melodic sense that pervades over all the themes... it is an album that shows the characteristics of the composer, the arranger, and above all, the guitarist who is able to interpret with deep sensibility every language and musical tradition.”

Marco Giuseppetti

2005
April

Catfish Records

“…the secret of such a new sound resides, with no doubt, in the rich Latino-american arrangements and in the choice of the percussions instead of the drums... from now on Pignatiello is an artist to follow..”

2005
April

DNAmusic.it

“Valid guitarist traveler with heavy cultural baggage, Luigi Pignatiello presents to his public a CD that in a surprising way mixes the different influences and sounds that he has acquired and re-elaborated in so many years of experience, concerts, collaborations, and of course, performances... ”

Clear, simple, and effective is Pignatiello’s musical phrasing, never intrusive and in its place, ecclectic and re-elaborated. Excellent are the other components of the quartet, who, even if not as protagonists, can certainly shine giving the solo guitar a groove and a background of remarkable quality.
Relaxing, spacious, full of surprises and absolutely void of excessive instrumental virtuosity..”

Leandro Giori

2005
March

World Music Magazine

“…The search for simplicity, a reduction of the material to its essence: this is the rouge file (track), born from the first record made by Luigi Pignatiello, virtuoso guitarist and tireless musical researcher…”.

Raffaele Pinelli

2005
March

Il Tempo
(Latina)

“…Throgh his intensive and careful work, Pignatiello expresses through his music, essence and everything becomes melody, refined and suggestive atmospheres, moments of deep emotions.

His music can be defined as a kaliedescope of numerous musical influences that range from jazz to blues, funk, and rock.
Nine verses in which one can recognize oneself and lose oneself in immensity of music that only speaks one language even if it has roots in many countries with different cultures and languages, as music has no barriers…”

Loredana Traniello

2005
March

Latina Oggi

“…Crossworld… a very refined work, that reveals Luigi Pignatiello’s musical vein.”

Brunella Maggiacomo

2005
March

Il Messaggero
(Latina)

“...consequently, the CD recreates a kaliedescope of influences and musical weaves, a cross or mixture of sounds that start from jazz with its mediterranean and south american flavors and also includes elements of blues and rock, from which emerges profound sentiments, an atmosphere of sensibility, that unique opportunity to, absolutely, see the music.

Emotions, images, colors: the sound of an electric guitar, the affect of other instruments and the warm intonation of sanguine vocals can lead one by the hand on an evocative journey.

Influence and refinement, the undeniable characteristics of this musical project referred to as “Crossworld Introducing Luigi Pignatiello quartet” causes one to pass through a personal musical experience that has evolved and matured as a result of continuous journeys in Europe, America, and Africa, in the many positive encounters “contaminated” with that “creative” moment known as improvisation, the undeniable capacity to compose…”.

Sandra Cervone  

2003

cover notes from the CD
Fairylands collection II 2003

 “…A really magical touch is that of Luigi Pignatiello and his acoustic guitar, with which he paints an immense sky landscape.”

2001
July/August

Celtica
n° 14

“… the guitarrist who expressed his talent in front of thousands of people at the Interceltique Festival of Lorient”.

2001
July/August

Keltica
n° 43

“…as Luigi  Pignatiello, who played with inspired passion his guitar and wrote the music of the most beautiful song of the album, the title track "Am" a quite song of refined elegance."
(riferred to the track composed for the Irish singer Kay McCarthy)

1989

Piano Time
n° 82

“...Luigi Pignatiello is among the best of this years graduates…”