Born in Genoa, Italy, pianist Massimo Faraò embodies in his inimitable way the international character of jazz. On Blue Bossa, he reveals his indebtedness to the Afro-Cuban jazz tradition, augmenting the classic trio format of piano, bass, and drums (Nicola Barbon and Roberto “Bobo” Facchinetti, respectively) with the conga virtuosity of Ernesttico. But as often as they rely on the Afro-Cuban clave, Faraò and bandmates also revel in intense walking swing, veering between both on classics like “Sunny” and “But Not for Me.”