Barcelona Meeting

This previously unreleased recording documents a unique session held in Barcelona on November 17, 1989, bringing together alto saxophonist Charlie Mariano, tenor saxophonist Sal Nistico, pianist Frank Strazzeri, bassist Isla Eckinger, and drummer Peer Wyboris. The music alternates between quartet and quintet performances, capturing a meeting of strong musical personalities.

As co-leaders of the session, Charlie Mariano and Sal Nistico brought contrasting but complementary voices to the music. Charlie was impeccable and thoroughly professional throughout, playing with eagerness, clarity, and considerable depth, while Sal Nistico played with intensity and passion, shaping the session’s dynamic character. Frank Strazzeri was completely devoted to the music, contributing four of his own original compositions—tunes musicians always loved to play, as was once again evident her —and performing with his characteristic sensitivity and dedication. Together with Eckinger and Wyboris, he formed a solid and cohesive rhythm section that anchored the session and allowed the music to unfold with intensity and balance.

This CD presents a carefully selected collection of the best performances from that day.

—Jordi Pujol

Tracklist

Album details

Press reviews

"Two sax giants from the halcyon days of hard bop get together back in 1989, with alto man Charlie Mariano fronting with tenor saxist Sal Nistico and backed by Frank Strazzeri/p, Isla Eckinger/b and Peer Wyboris/dr. The two vets show that bebop was in their blood, with Mariano as warm as all get out and Nistico as smooth as silk on the classy “Another Hair Do” and “I Don’t Want To Cry Anymore”. Mariano floats on “Lover Man” and Nistico digs deep into “CTA, while Strazzeri taps into his inner Bud Powell on “Frank’s Blues” and the band stretches out on a gloriously schmaltzy “What’s New”. These guys could make the stock market report swing!"

—George W. Harris (March 30, 2026)
http://www.jazzweekly.com/