Matt Bianco Back Together with New Album

After a 20-year absence, the original lineup of British jazz band Matt Bianco is back together and set to release their first album since their 1984 U.S. debut Whose Side Are You On?. The lineup features Mark Reilly and Basia Trzetrzelewska on vocals and Danny White on keyboard.

The band split after their success in the early 1980s and each member pursued various projects on their own. Reilly kept the group’s name and recorded several records, while

White continued to work with Basia, who released five critically acclaimed albums as a solo artist.

The new album, Matt’s Mood, to be released on Decca, was heavily inspired by the death of saxophonist Ronnie Ross more than 10 years ago. Ross was a major part of the band’s sound on their debut album, which, according to Reilly, sounds just as good today as it did 20 years ago.

“We listened to our debut and couldn’t get over how fresh and immediate it still sounded,” he said in a press release. “It seemed to fit in better now with the surrounding climate than it did at the time.” The band was able to incorporate old recordings and Ross’ sax into the new album through three new songs: “Ronnie’s Samba,” “La Luna” and “Slip & Sliding.”

The release date for Matt’s Mood is set for March 8 and the band is slated to embark on its first world-wide tour, ending up in the United States this spring.

Originally Published February 1, 2005