Anthony D’Alessandro is a Toronto-based pianist who also has affinities with New York. Nine tracks build a program well-rooted in a neo-bop classic style, coloured with swing and a few soothing ballads. You can feel the excitement and energy of a smiling and optimistic urbanity here. Many references to the musician’s personal experiences in the Big Apple will touch the music lover who is also familiar with the American metropolis: a small taco stand, a haircut at a random barber shop during a walk, the city lights at night, a tribute to a legendary jazz club (the Village Vanguard), and several other nods that those who enjoy frequenting New York will fully understand.
D’Alessandro is impeccably supported by musicians who perfectly understand the emotion he wishes to convey: Summer Camargo (trumpet), Jacob Chung (tenor sax), Jonathan Chapman (bass), and Ernesto Cervini (drums). City Lights is a superbly old-school album, both in style and in sound aesthetics and the way it was recorded. D’Alessandro was at Upstairs in October 2025 to present the album. I sorely regret missing that. I hope he comes back soon.
Good vibes and artistic excellence united under one roof, we’ll take extra of this in these times.
