Requisites

Outstanding (Live in Tirano) ~ Guido Manusardi Trio | By Eddie Carter

Italian pianist Guido Manusardi has long been one of Europe’s most distinctive jazz musicians. Rooted in hard bop, modal jazz, and European influences, his trio performances and sessions always sparkle with lively, dynamicinterplay. This morning’s column, Outstanding by the Guido Manusardi Trio (Splac(h) Records H-115), is a 1986 live release that captures the trio performing three familiar standards and one original composition at the Mignon Theatre. Manusardi is working with Piero Leveratto on bass and Luigi Bonafede on drums. I own the 1986 Italian stereo release.

The opener, On Green Dolphin Street, by Bronislaw Kaper and Ned Washington, is one of jazz’s most recognizable standards. Piero and Luigi bring the song to life with a two-instrument dialogue that blossoms into Guido’s relaxing melody. Guido leads the solos with a lively presentation, then Piero takes a short, crisp walk before the pianist reprises the theme into a soft finish. Cole Porter’s 1930 classic Love for Sale begins with the trio’s medium theme, which steps aside for Manusardi’s opening statement, rising to a rousing finish. Leveratto moves through formidable territory in the next reading, leading to the trio’s closing chorus and the audience’s approval.

Side Two starts with another 1930 chestnut, But Not For Me by George and Ira Gershwin. The trio tackles the theme with playful buoyancy, then Guido dazzles the audience with a neatly paced opening statement that dances along. Piero follows, showcasing immaculate intonation, melodic warmth, and fluid articulation. Luigi shares his first solo of the set with the pianist ahead of the trio’s spirited theme and climax. Guido Manusardi’s Sorrow opens with a cascading piano introduction of rich modal harmony that leads into the trio’s medium melody. Manusardi’s opening solo swings from start to finish, then Leveratto has another fine solo before Bonafede wraps it up, leading to theclosing chorus.

Guido Manusardi, Achille Silipo, and Peppo Spagnoli produced Outstanding for Splac(h) Records. Vincenzo Martegani and Vittorio Valsecchi engineered the sound. The album’s sound quality is excellent, with a vibrant soundstage that places the listener in the audience as the musicians perform. Outstanding is an excellent live album that shines with a repertoire that’s a pleasure to listen to. Guido Manusardi, Piero Leveratto, and Luigi Bonafede together deliver an engaging live album whose appeal lies in its directness. If you’re a fan of piano jazz or new to Guido Manusardi's music, I invite you to audition Outstanding by the Guido Manusardi Trio at your earliest opportunity. The album captures the pianist at his best, and I’m sure it will become a favorite in your library!

~ But Not For Me, Love For Sale, On Green Dolphin Street – Source: JazzStandards.com

© 2026 by Edward Thomas Carter