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The big Jazz
EJE can't miss the appointment with the Latin sound, with the interaction between piano and jazz improvisation: the Negroni’s Trio is one of the most appreciated Latin-American groups, as evidenced by his nomination for the Best Latin Jazz Album.
The main features of the leader Josè Negroni, pianist and componist from Puerto Rico, are an astonishing combination of jazz, classical lyricism and Afro-Latin “punches”.
Stefano Bollani comes back in style to the EJE, ready for a new unpredictable journey between irresistible irony and intense improvisation.
After two tours in the United States and the latest in the United Kingdom, arrives at the European Jazz Expo for the first time Gianluca Pellerito, the sixteen-year-old drummer from Palermo discovered by Peter Erskine, who is deservedly considered the new youngest Italian jazz star in the world.
Music and narration in "Women's Land", the new work by Stefano di Battista, among the best-known national jazz saxophonists, with the special appearance by Gino Castaldo, journalist and one of the Italian leading expert on music. A project born from the wish of this Roman musician and composer to tell and set to music the female figure of the past millennium. All the pieces are devoted to beautiful, brave, and unforgettable women such as Ella Fitzgerald, Anna Magnani and many others. Live with them Jeff Ballard on drums, Jonathan Kreisberg on guitar, Julian Oliver Mazzariello on piano and Francesco Puglisi, on double bass.
Tigran Hamasyan, very talented and young Armenian pianist. Evan Christopher, considered the most important clarinetist of New Orleans, among the greatests of all ages, in the "Django à la Créole" project, a tribute to the legendary Django Reinhardt. Furthermore, from Spain, the Catalan pianist Manel Camp and the LokoMotive Trio together with the “special guest” Luca Aquino and his trumphet. Jazz joins the authorial song giving way to improvisation and magic, something that only a great musician is able to create: the elegance of Sergio Cammariere, performer of unique expressive and refined intensity, and its quintet; Gerardo Casiello, Samnite pianist and songwriter, winner of the Tenco Prize 2010, Debut section; Jean Francoise Baez, one of the most appreciated squeeze-box player in the world, and his trio. He played with some of the most important protagonists of the jazz and Mediterranean scene such as Antonio Placer, Bernard Bruel, Louis Sclavis, Renaud Gracia-Fons. A great musician who well knows how to go beyond the accordeon language without distorting its traditional and popular aspects.
Pascal Shumacher, talented vibraphon player and composer from Louxembourg, establishes himself as one of the most interesting performer of the of the new generation European jazzists. Leader of his quartet, he has produced three albums until today, the latest "Here we Gong" in 2009 under his own prestigious label Enja Records from Munich.
The intriguing acoustic scores of the Gnu Quartet, an eclectic quartet from Genoa that combines the jazz music virtuosity with pop and rock music, improved by the lively performance of Francesco Bearzatti, saxophonist, clarinetist and composer considered one among the best European jazz performers.
Alfio Antico, Sicilian singer and drumer, one of the greatest European players of tammorra, the typical large frame drum of Southern Italy, performer in perfect harmony with his instrument who through rhythm and canto describes the thousands most iconic people of all times between passionate love stories and pure poetry.
The prominent bassist Enzo Pietropaoli, master of the natural language of jazz between improvisation and freedom, is going through a new period of his life. He spent 35 years travelling around the world, playing and recording with many important performers such as Chet Baker, Lester Bowie, Paolo Fresu, Enrico Rava, Michael Brecker, Lee Konitz, and has now decided to play the role of leader of his band formed by Fulvio Sicurtà on trumpet, Julian Mazzariello on piano and Alessandro Paternesi on drums. EJE is going to present their new album produced by Jando Music.
The Voices
A special tribute to the female voicality with many among the most sought-after protagonists of the international jazz and world music festivals: from Jamaica the evocative and expressive power of the best Dub Poetry with Jean "Binta" Breeze and her new album "Eena Me Corner"; the great Italian singer-songwriter and musician Maria Pia De Vito from Neaples, well-known abroad; and the extraordinary Italian-Ethiopian singer Saba Anglana together with Roy Paci, one of the most acclaimed latin trumpheter who spreads everywhere "toda gioia" and "positive vibrations"; Roberta Alloisio, refined singer inspired by the cultural roots and the dialect of Genoa, her hometown; Filomena Campus, an elegant mix of pure jazz and dreamlike penetrations from theatrical images who will present her latest album (made in England) "Jester of Jazz".; Laura Lala, sicilian songwriter and composer, winner of the Saint Louis Award Contest 2009; the wonderful voice of Francesca Corrias together with the Sunflower Quartet, more and more popular in the international jazz scene and the pride of S'Ardmusic label that produced them.
From the Far North
The Grand Orchestras
The grand orchestras; those real musical labs where inspiration is born out of historical reflections on orchestral jazz, from the Kansas City formations to be-bop and American and European avanguard to today’s stars, such as Paolo Nonnis Ottetto, the eight piece superband directed by the Sardinian (from Selargius) who has been living in Los Angeles since 1977 (when he studied with drummer Carl Mottola). A musical journey in musical jazz styles from dixieland to bebop, from swing to blues, from latin jazz to acid jazz.
The orchestra of wind instruments Funk Off, the street supergroup, is unique to the genre. Eleven musicians let fly on their wind instruments accompanied by four in the rhythm section, to make for an out of the ordinary choreographed concert not to be missed: contagious and great fun for everyone; see it, listen to it, dance to it. Enjoy!
Under the baton of one of the most famous jazz in Sardinia, the pianist Paolo Carrus, the Big Band Orchestra, made up of students of the Scuola Civica di Musica in Cagliari conducted by Luigi Puddu. Distinguished guest of the latter is Franco Cerri, "The Italian Jazz Guitarrist" among the greatest guitarists in the world boasting a book of outstanding collaborations such as Billie Holiday, Chet Baker, Dizzy Gillespie, Django Reinhardt, George Benson, Johnny Griffin, Lee Konitz, Tony Scott and many others.
SHOWCASES
In arrival come the best musicians and prizewinners from the contest Certamen De Jazz, the prestigious festival in Palma de Mallorca, with which EJE has gone into an important partnership. From Spain comes the extraordinary Manel Camp, composer, arranger, and much awarded musical conductor who’s been linked to many big names in classical, Nova Cançó catalana, jazz, and rock music. On to Sardinia, with Be Bop Lab Collective, couragious and interesting experimental centre which aims to promote relations between island musicians and those outside Sardinia, with the theme of improvisation in be bop and other related forms.
The LokoMotive Trio (Atina Jazz) arrive together with the “special guest star” trumpet player Luca Aquino, on their new musical project “Migrations”. Then there is Paolo Damiani, composer, double bass player, cellist and head of the Department of Jazz at the Conservatory of Rome. Tigran Hamasyan is a young Armenian pianist of extraordinary talent and one of the most interesting on the modern jazz panorama. From Holland come the Bianculli Trio, First Prize in the European Jazz Contest 2010 of Saint Louis College of Music. Gerardo Casiello, Samnite pianist and singer songwriter, and finalist for the Tenco Prize 2010, Opera Prima section too. Compagnia Trìskele, winners of the 2011 edition of the prestigious Andrea Parodi prize. Zaman, the heart of African rhythms in a mix of different sounds and cultures, such as that of Sardinia. Alessandro Di Liberto, one of the most brilliant jazz pianists on the Italian scene. Then there are special moments dedicated to Argentine dance with the Mario Parmisano Tango Jazz Trio with his project "Tribute to Astor Piazzolla in Jazz". Finally from Pisa I Gatti Mèzzi: irony, humour and excellent music in tuscan dialect with jazz, swing and sounds from traditional music. And many many others!
ORIGINAL PRODUCTIONS
Special guest star of the EJE 2011 is one of the most considered pianist of the international jazz scene, Rita Marcotulli. She will perform in trio with the saxophonist Javier Girotto from Argentina and the undisputed master of the accordeon Luciano Biondini and present her new project produced by S'Ardmusic. In its new album, a sort of “Variations on a theme”, this extraordinary trio revises and collect the movie soundtracks by Rita Marcotulli. This is a world where the Roman artist goes through since many years with great passion, testified by the important awards she has won, among all the Golden Ciak and the Silver Ribbon, recently got for the soundtrack for the Italinan movie “Basilicata coast to coast” directed by Rocco Papaleo, and her last work devoted to the French movies by Francois Truffaut.
The journey towards San Pietro, an island into the island, goes on through the views of S'ardmusic and the music of the stars' dancers.
Mario Brai is one of the most successful artist in Sardinia, whose songs are characterized mainly by the use of Tabarkin, the spoken language of his enchanting country. The myth of the seamen from Pegli (Liguria) who in the XVI century, fleeing from the island of Tabarka (Tunisia), took refuge in that "bit of earth" at the extreme western boundaries of the land of S'Ardia. African, Turkish and Greek references are at the beating heart of the new work of this artist, evidences of the Ligurian attractive sounds that run through the veins of this singer from Carloforte.
EJE 2011 - Award
For the first time in this seventh edition the prize splits in two and – even more important – goes to female artists: Elena Ledda, one of the most original and charismatic performers of the Mediterranean vocality, and Rita Marcotulli, a leading pianist, composer and Italian jazz band-leader: two first-rate Italian musicians deeply linked to the history of Jazz Festival in Sardinia and the European Jazz Expo. The EJE Prize is the Pietra Sonora by the sculptor Pinuccio Sciola, given to them in honor of their courage of innovation and consistency of artistic careers. Then Elena and Rita will perform together with some of the extraordinary musicians who have shared with them many successes all around the world and will offer some anticipations of their new songs.
Events
For the very first time, the audience will be able to hear the enchanting, moving, life-force sounds live on stage of Mauro Palmas’ CD collection “Il colore del maestrale”, with his unmistakable mandola sound of recent years. This latest work, which he has composed and produced himself, on the S’Ardmusic label brings together ten wonderful pieces reflecting this composer and musician’s Sardinian and Mediterranean roots. It is a biographical portrait following his steps along his musical road towards the sea; water, wind, sand, the silence, and childhood memories on the Poetto beach of Cagliari, his city, when a red flag indicated the presence of the north westerly winds and ‘white horses’. Many ‘musical frames’ narrate the colours of an artist’s heart in love with his land, Sardinia, and the north-westerly winds which forever inhabit and give tone to the sounds of an island and its sea.
ARENA EVENTI
Major events will be once again the distinguishing feature of the 2011 edition of the European Jazz Expo. Each night from 10 pm, at the closing time, in the Arena will take place three big party-shows with the major protaonists of the swing, reggae and nu-asian sounds.
SWING Night
Since 1987, Nick The Nightfly, expert in “good music”, and his popular radio program brought to Italy from all over the world the new age music, fusion, the Brazilian music, jazz, acid jazz, and in recent years even the sounds of nujazz, lounge, chill out and the border music. His latest album "Nice One" brings together the elements he loves the most: blues, soul, jazz and freedom.
The swing, jazz, jumpin' jive of the extraordinary “crooner” and British saxophonist, Ray Gelato, are able to bring to life the faboulous '40 and 50' of the legendary Louis Prima, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett.
REGGAE Night
Alpha Blondy, stage name of Seyokou Koné, one of the leading figures in the reggae and African culture, won three Gold Records for the album "Jah Glory". His latest album "Jerusalem", recorded with The Wailers and produced by Tuff Gong in the Bob Marley's Studios, represents a milestone of his music career and a landmark for the entire African culture.
NU-ASIAN SOUND Night
The music of Transglobal Underground is, to all intents and purposes, a kaleidoscopic journey through liberating rites, rhythm secrets, and tantric harmonies. The result is an explosive sound that mixes elements of world-music and trance-ambient, full of Tzigane and Arab, dub, hip hop and techno-pop influences.
The exotic charisma of Natasha Atlas, extraordinarily communicative vocalist and one of the most famous singers of the Middle-East, will add to this event her power and her sensual female touch.
The Dhol Foundation, a pioneering group of 12 exhilarating Anglo-Indian performers from “London Punjabs”, is going to put on a lively and fast-paced show with Dohl drumming and electronic accompaniment. The energy of the percussion instruments, the impact of the set, the acrobatic dances and the overwhelming power of the group’s leader Johnny Kalsi (called by Peter Gabriel “Ambassador of Love” for his magnetism and charme) all make for a memorable show.
Expop Theatre
A space completely dedicated to new forms of theatrical expression of underground culture, in which words and even extreme gestural expressiveness and rhythm combine with innovative power and effectiveness. From "Rubbish Rabitti," extreme comedy staged by "Tony Clifton Circus" to "My Arm", Academy of Artifacts, which challenges the audience by proposing a language, a world and a "further" theater, ending with " Macadamia Nut Brittel" by Ricci Forte, cult company of pop theater.
Music and games for kids
An area entirely devoted to children who want to learn having fun with education experts. An unusual journey into the music created for children between rhythms, instruments, notes, colors, fairy tales, jingles, games, comics, a great opportunity to learn by playing, in a joyful and witty way.
