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A major arranger from Argentina, Carlos Franzetti has made a career out of his brilliant writing skills and his impressive versatility.
Born in Buenos Aires in 1948, Franzetti started out studying music at his country's National Conservatory when he was only six. He wrote film scores when he was quite young. After moving to Mexico in 1970, Franzetti worked in Mexico's music industry, doing commercial work and scores for movies. In 1974 he moved to the United States where he earned a degree from Juilliard.
While it is not unusual for a talented arranger-composer to write both for classical orchestras and film scores, Franzetti stretches much further, writing for the jazz world including big bands and small groups. In his career he has written operas and symphonies, won awards for the best tango album, and arranged for Paquito D'Rivera. Among some others who he has worked with in the jazz world are Arturo Sandoval, David Sanchez, Jane Monheit, Terence Blanchard, Jon Faddis and Eddie Gomez (with whom he has recorded duos). As if his writing assignments are not enough to keep him busy, Franzetti is also a skilled pianist.
Galaxy Dust, from 1980, was Carlos Franzetti's American debut recording. From the start, it is obvious that this album is not conventional or predictable. Various selections on this set utilize a 21-piece string section, a rhythm section (with Anthony Jackson on bass) and up to nine horns.
The opening piece, “Galaxy Dust,” has an eerie sounding vocal by Franzetti over a modern classical background. “Pandora” is hyper fusion with the ensembles recalling Chick Corea a bit and the performance being highlighted by a hot George Young tenor solo. “Gravitational Forces” has outer space sounds and electronics, sounding like the soundtrack to a rather eccentric film. “Something From The South” is almost straight ahead and features Franzetti's piano. “Pavane” has a very mysterious atmosphere with a flute often in the lead. The closing “Mambo Tango” completely reverses course and is an accessible post bop piece with George Young again in a prominent role.
While Carlos Franzetti has accomplished a great deal since this time, Galaxy Dust shows that his wide range of musical talents were already very much in evidence early on. Few other musicians can match his depth and abilities in so many idioms and styles. (SCOTT YANOW)
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