Bologna-bred saxophonist Marco Pignataro’s 2018 album on the New York-based ZOHO label, Almas Antiguas was a highly-acclaimed encounter with old masters Alan Pasqua, Eddie Gomez and Adam Cruz in what he called “a story of love” in notes and tones.

Now, Awakening documents a 2021 virtual live concert at Boston’s GBH Fraser Studio that meditates on the eternal subject of romantic love from a perspective that incorporates classical, opera, gospel and pop sensibilities. Joined by Kenny Werner (piano, backing vocals), Nadia Washington (vocals, guitar) and Devon Gates (bass, vocals), Pignataro creates an always jazzy aesthetic that displays profound sensitivity to the human condition without ever being too melancholy.

One’s familiarity with songs like ”Stand By Me,” “Send One Your Love” “Alone Again Naturally” and “Because” might tend to draw those tracks into your spotlight focus, but I also took considerable pleasure in the enchanting original material, not too sentimental or flowery, that defines songs like “Farfallina (Little Butterfly),” “Still Winter,” “Naked Absence” and “I Caught a Reflection of Me.” It’s translucent music that floats like clouds wafting by in a zephyr on a spring day. (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)