Geoff gets a visit from the wonderful pianist and composer Andrea Vicari who opens up about her rich musical journey inspired by her jazz pianist father and a house filled with the sounds of jazz legends like Louis Armstrong.

Andrea shares fascinating insights into her improvisation process, demonstrating how pentatonic scales and fourth-based voicings – influenced by McCoy Tyner and Chick Corea – shape her approach to standards like the 1940s classic ‘On Green Dolphin Street’ which she performs accompanied by the Quartet app. Rather than planning solos in advance, she responds organically to her initial phrases, allowing ideas to develop naturally through active listening. This responsive approach reflects decades of absorbing the language of jazz through transcription and performance.

The conversation takes us to the beautiful Dordogne region of southern France, where Andrea’s summer school has flourished for 22 years at Chateau de Monteton. What began as a practical way to spend time near her relocated parents has evolved into a beloved institution where two-thirds of participants return annually, forming lifelong friendships and even marriages. She describes it as like “Love Island on Jazz”. This blend of community-building and jazz education represents the holistic approach Andrea brings to music—valuing connection alongside technical mastery.

Perhaps most touching are Andrea’s reflections on performing in post-war Bosnia, where audiences would sing along to folk melodies integrated into jazz performances amid buildings still bearing bullet holes. These experiences, alongside her sophisticated approach to harmony and improvisation, reveal an artist whose musical expression is deeply informed by human connection and emotional resonance.

Discover Quartet for iOS, taking your jazz play-along experience to another level. Search for Quartet on the App Store or visit quartetapp.com to learn more about the top-selling innovative tool for jazz musicians.

Presenter: Geoff Gascoyne
Series Producer: Paul Sissons
Production Manager: Martin Sissons
The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast is a UK Music Apps production.