As Leader / Co-leader – Gabriele di Franco

CANTABILE

1st September 2024 by Gabriele di Franco

Cantabile is the second album by the Italian-Belgian duo of Gabriele di Franco and Francesco Negro.
Cantabile is a quiet journey that continues the exploration begun on their first album (Synolon), but greatly accentuates Gabriele and Francesco’s passion for melody and lyricism. Indeed, it is no coincidence that the album’s only guest is the Spanish singer and composer Vanesa Gil Diaz, who joins the duo on two splendid compositions ‘At The Border’ and ‘Dopo Tutto’. But the singability element remains strong throughout the album.

Acoustic piano timbres mingle with the sounds of a semi-acoustic guitar that modulates to pure electronics. This musical research has led Gabriele and Francesco to explore new timbre combinations, generating a sound that, although strongly rooted in jazz, is not afraid to steal sounds and shapes from improvised music, electronics, and pop.

TRACK LIST
1. At The Border
2. Peace
3. LAMA
4. Dopo Tutto
5. Bloemen
6. Ombre
7. Oh My Love

Recorded on 12th and 13th August 2023 at Cicaleto Recording Studio (Arezzo- IT)
Mixed and Mastered by Francesco Ponticelli

At The Border, Peace composed by Francesco Negro
LAMA, Bloemen, Dopo Tutto composed by Gabriele di Franco
Ombre composed by Gabriele di Franco and Francesco Negro
Oh My Love composed by Riz Ortolani

REVIEWS

NL
“Als drie talenten met dergelijke scholing de krachten bundelen, dan is het niet onredelijk bijzondere dingen te verwachten en dat blijkt hier dus geen ijdele hoop…de twee jongelui, die opnieuw een bijzonder mooie plaat afleveren, waarop ze hun harmonie centraal stellen. Voorwaar, er is nog hoop voor deze wereld !”
EN
“When three talents with such training join forces, it’s not unreasonable to expect extraordinary things, and it turns out that this is not a vain hope… The two young artists, who once again deliver a particularly beautiful record, with their harmony at the center. Indeed, there is still hope for this world!”
(Dani Heyvaert – rootstime.be)

DE
“Gitarrist Gabriele di Franco und Pianist Francesco Negro betören mit einem magischen Duo-Album von soghafter Ruhe und Kraft, Sängerin Vanesa Diaz Gil sorgt für Gänsehautmomente.”
EN
Guitarist Gabriele di Franco and pianist Francesco Negro captivate with a magical duo album full of mesmerizing calm and strength, while singer Vanesa Diaz Gil delivers goosebump-inducing moments.
(Markus Will – BRF)

FR
Il vaut toujours mieux ne pas rater son entrée. Et quand on décide de la faire « a cappella » en confiant la tâche à son invitée, la gageure n’en est que plus osée. Mais ici, le pari est parfaitement réussi et la magie opère.
…
di Franco et Negro maîtrisent les tensions et les reliefs, confondent avec esprit les harmonies. Ils laissent de côté l’évidence et s’attardent à révéler les sentiments dans un lyrisme non ostentatoire. Chacun des deux musiciens s’écoute, se répond, se supporte, joue avec les attentes et les silences (école Steve Reich). On se laisse embarquer.
EN
It’s always better not to miss one’s entrance. And when you decide to do it “a cappella” by entrusting the task to your guest, the challenge becomes even bolder. But here, the gamble is perfectly successful, and the magic happens.
…
di Franco and Negro masterfully navigate tensions and nuances, blending harmonies with wit. They avoid the obvious and linger on revealing emotions with understated lyricism. Each musician listens to, responds to, and supports the other, playing with expectations and silences (in the style of Steve Reich). You find yourself carried away.
(Jacques Prouvost – Jazzmania.be)

PR – STILETTO
INGE DE PAUW / +32 473 123237 / inge@stilletto.be

TOUR DATES

August 10, 2024 – Brussels – Muziekcontainer (BE)
August 26, 2024 – Castro – Castro Jazz Festival (IT)
October 26, 2024 – Bruges 27Bflat (BE)
October 27, 2024 – Brussels LE BAIXU (BE)
November 2, 2024 – Milan Rai Radio3 Piazza Verdi (IT)
November 3, 2024 – Rome CIMI – Italian Center for Integrated Medicine (IT)
November 4, 2024 – Rome Vatican News – Vatican Radio (IT)
April 11, 2025 – Fragagnano – Osteria dei 4 Venti (IT)
April 12, 2025 – Andria (IT)
April 13, 2025 – Ass Cult Bud Powell Maglie (IT)
April 25, 2025 – Sounds Jazz Club – Bruxelles (BE)
JULY – GERMANY (TBA)
JULY – GERMANY (TBA)

Deep – contemporary studies for guitar

17th February 2023 by Gabriele di Franco

Deep is a series of 5 etudes and 1 interlude for modern classical guitar.
Each study explores a specific technique or musical idea.
The end of each study heralds the ‘exploratory’ element that will be developed in the following study.
The recordings of DEEP are the result of a collaboration with Belgian guitarist Jasper Iturrospe.

more about (scores/videos/etc…)

CREDITS

Composed by Gabriele di Franco
Performed by Jasper Iturrospe

Etcetera Records

Release date 10/03/2023

thanks to Jasper for playing so beautifully,
thanks to Arianna, Raffaele, and Anita for supporting me every day,
thanks to Federico and Valentina for being such wonderful human beings.

recorded by Dries Van Ende in Brussels on 6/02/2022
Filmed by Federico Fiordigiglio (©Studiosciolto)

KTC 7060 . 1CD . 8711801070605 . 10/03/2023 . ETCETERA RECORDS

BUBUSETTETE – Bija

5th October 2022 by Gabriele di Franco

‘Bubusettete’ is more than an album!

Bubusettete is a music painting!

The artist Leandro Caroli made a wonderful painting about listening to our record and it became the cover.

How does it work? It will have a size of 60×90 cm where, thanks to a QR-code (on the back for those who buy it), you will be able to download the record in very high quality and hang it wherever you wish to take you on a multimedia journey between music and art.

It will also be displayed around and via another QR-code on the front, you can listen to it on all digital platforms or buy just the disc.

Times change at a frightening speed, but the desire to share beauty, also through the interweaving of different art forms, remains our most beautiful dream.

1- Gaps

2- Bubusettete

3- Clessidra

4- Nuvole

5- Sulu

6- Zanzare su Marte

7- Nascondino

8- Sabbia

Produced by Bija (Gabriele di Franco – guitar and electronics/ Francesco Pellizzari – drums and percussions / Marco Puzzello – trumpet, duduk, electronics)

Painting Leandro Caroli

Recorded at Studi Bazu’ (Giuggianello – Le) and studio Artemista (Spessa)

Mixing: Francesco Pellizzari (Studi Bazu’ – Giuggianello)

Mastering: Valerio Daniele (Chora Studi Musicali – Monteroni)

All compositions by Bija (di Franco – Pellizzari – Puzzello)

Tracks n. 1-2-3 – Machiavelli Music Publishing

Synolon // Gabriele di Franco, Francesco Negro

10th March 2022 by Gabriele di Franco

SYNOLON [from gr. σύνολον, comp. by σύν «with» e ὅλος «everything»] merges the love for songs, free improv, classical, and jazz music. That’s ‘how’ and ‘why’ Gabriele and Francesco decided to sum their notes in SYNOLON.

Gabriele di Franco – guitar and effects
Francesco Negro – acoustic piano

SHORT DESCRIPTION
At a time when the languages of music are blurring, Gabriele and Francesco decided to create a project where they could unite the worlds they love. Acoustic sounds that blend with electronic and modern sounds; jazz/folk accompaniments that lead to moments of pure improvisation. This is SYNOLON.
Both composers and instrumentalists, in SYNOLON have succeeded in representing their different souls.

CREDITS

Acqua, Summer Walk, Terra composed and arranged by Gabriele di Franco

Alba, Lontananza, Last Song composed and arranged by Francesco Negro

Sogna o fiore mio composed by Ambrogio Sparagna – Edizioni Finisterre, arranged by Gabriele di Franco and Francesco Negro

Oltre, Nebbiolina composed by Gabriele di Franco and Francesco Negro

Recorded on July 2021 at Cicaleto Recording Studio (Arezzo, Italy)

Mixed and Mastered by Francesco Ponticelli

MORE ABOUT Gabriele di Franco // Francesco Negro

PRESS REVIEWS

Jazzit (IT)
Musicmap (IT)
La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno (IT)
Pugliamusic (IT)
Jazzitalia (IT)
All About Jazz (EN)
Jazz Espresso (EN)
QuiSalento (IT)

Tesseract trio – EP

5th June 2020 by admin

<a href="http://tesseracttrio.bandcamp.com/album/tesseract-ep">Tesseract EP by Tesseract Trio</a>

TESSERACT TRIO – EP

Two Belgians and one Italian join forces to create a trio, where they bring together their inspirations, friendship, and open minds, their original compositions, and dreamy arrangements of classic and modern songs with a contemporary and warm sound.

Tesseract Trio is:
Gabriele di Franco (guitar),

Otto Kint (bass)

Egon Loosveldt (drums).

follow tesseract trio:

facebook / youtube

Recorded & mixed by Dries Van Ende @ Zennestudio on 5/6/19

Track list:

1.Blues For F. – 05:57
2.Interlude – 06:06
3.Moon River – 01:51
4.Lentu – 05:45
5. Norwegian Wood – 05:27
6. Pico – 04:49

Interlude/Pico: composed by Otto Kint
Blues for F. / Lentu: composed by Gabriele di Franco
Nowegian Wood: composed by Lennon/McCartney – arranged by Gabriele di Franco
Moon River: composed by Henri Mancini – arranged by Tesseract trio.

DEDALO – BPJO

15th May 2018 by Gabriele di Franco

DEDALO – BUD POWELL JAZZ ORCHESTRA

Produced by Ass. Bud Powell di Maglie.

All the compositions and arrangements are written by Gabriele di Franco
exceptions: “A child is born” – Thad Jones (arrangement by Gabriele di Franco) // “Fida” – music and arrangement by Gabriele di Franco, lyrics by Antonella Chionna.
© + ℗ Gabriele di Franco 2018
© Ass.Cult. Jazz Bud Powell di Maglie

Song List:

1- Ninja 5:55
2- Aspetta 8:33
3- A Child is Born 8:13
4- Blues for f 6:33
5- Kalt for Bazoo 5:05
6- Fida 6:46
7- Yo Bald 9:02

The Orchestra:

Gabriele di Franco (Direzione D’Orchestra / Musica / Arrangiamenti)

Simone Stefanizzi (Tromba 1 – Solista ~ Blues for F / A child is Born)
Gianluca Stigliano (Tromba 2 – Solista ~ Blues for F)
Alessandro Dell’anna (Tromba 3 – Solista ~ A child is Born)
Lorenzo Lorenzoni (Trombone 1 – Solista ~ Blues for F)
Roberto Casciaro (Trombone 2)
Elia Leardi (Trombone 3 Basso)

Antonio Cotardo (Sax Alto 1 e Flauto ~ Yo bald / Blues for F)
Francesco La Viola (Sax Alto 2)
Dario Stefanizzi (Sax Tenore 1 e Soprano- Solista ~ A child is Born)
Alessandro Corvaglia (Sax Tenore 2)
Roberto Gagliardi (Sax Baritono – Solista ~ A child is Born)
Maurizio Frivoli (Clarinetto 1 – Sax Alto 3)
Angelo Meleleo (Clarinetto 2)
Luca Mangione (Clarinetto Basso)

Dionisia Cassiano (Voce)
Alberto Stefanizzi (Vibrafono)
Pamela Piras (Pianoforte)
Giancarlo Del Vitto (Chitarra el. – Solista ~ Aspetta / Fida / A child is Born / Ninja)
Matteo Maria Maglio (Contrabbasso – Solista ~ Aspetta)
Francesco Pellizzari (Batteria – Solista ~ Ninja / Kalt for Bazoo)

Guests:

Marcello Allulli (Sax Tenore – Solista ~ Fida / Ninja)
Francesco Negro (Pianoforte ~ Blues for F)

Info:

Dedalo was recorded at Bazu’ Studi Musicali (Giuggianello – Le – IT)  3/4/5/6/7 January 2018 by Francesco Pellizzari
Editing: Gabriele di Franco
Mixing & Mastering: Francesco Pellizzari
Graphic © Dario Avantaggiato
© + ℗ Gabriele di Franco 2018
© Ass.Cult. Jazz Bud Powell di Maglie
www.magliejazz.it

READ ALL THE REVIEWS OF DEDALO

SO FAR – Gottfried di Franco

14th February 2018 by Gabriele di Franco

SO FAR – Gottfried di Franco

So far looking back
So far from home
express so far more
So far looking ahead

Digital Release 15.02.2018
Album release 19.03.2018

Gottfried di Franco’s So Far tells the story of two young aspiring musicians who expand their musical and personal horizon in a foreign environment, so far from their roots, in order to give their perception of the world a new dimension. Their compositions sketch situations, explain decisions, recount unutterable feelings and therefore are joined together to portray a big whole.

Musicians:

Stefan Gottfried – sax
Gabriele di Franco – guitar
Raúl Santana – piano
Diederik Billiet – doublebass
João Sousa – drums

Info

Recorded by Koert Berends at WedgeView Studios
on September 21st and 22nd 2017
Mixed by Koert Berends at KoBe Audio
Mastered by Udo Pannekeet at WedgeView Studios
Produced by Stefan Gottfried and Gabriele di Franco
Design Photography by Jerry Knies
info@stefangottfried.com / booking@gabrieledifranco.com
thanks to SENA.

BIO

Gottfried di Franco stands for a kaleidoscopical, meaningful and euphoric musical language. With their compositions saxophonist Stefan Gottfried and guitars Gabriele di Franco create besides through composed passages as much space as possible for creativity, spontaneous joy of playing and improvisation and hold up these immanent values in jazz far from shallow instrumental virtuosity. Stylistically, they meander subtly between their idols Kenny Wheeler, Wayne Shorter and Ralph Towner, an admiring fascination for impressionistic music and their naive curiosity for free improvised music.

Gottfried and di Franco combine their musical ideas, their visions as well as their stories which are being told out of the perspective of two young aspiring musicians who perceive the world with wide-opened eyes.

Since they got to know each other musically in Vienna more than three years ago, a lot has happened. They both changed their environment, Gabriele moved to Brussels, Stefan to the Netherlands, in which they quickly found themselves again. Encouraged through euphoric echo and the realization that they complement each other musically in a natural and lively way, they launched this unique collaboration.

The Austrian saxophonist and the Italian guitarist quickly found their congenial musical partners in the virtuosic Spanish pianist Raúl Santana, the extraordinary Brussels based bassist Diederik Billiet and the with creativity sparkling Portuguese drummer João Sousa. Five musicians whose roots couldn’t be more different, find themselves to pursue a musical idea in developing the sound of the band that draws attention by subtle and meaningful expression rather than by screaming or impetuous articulation.

Gottfried di Franco has appeared in concert in Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy and has reached the final of international competitions such as the Sibiu International Jazz Concours 2017.

links:

Facebook – Instagram – YouTube

Album Review

Jazzflits.nl
“Een debuut-cd is altijd iets bijzonders. Het is nooit zomaar een tussendoortje dat even in elkaar wordt geflanst. Over de debuut-cd ‘So Far’ van Gabriele di Franco en Stefan Gottfried is goed nagedacht. De muziek reflecteert hun helden, hun visie op de geimproviseerde muziek, maar ook de plek waar ze nu zijn neergestreken…”
“Het is een uur eigentijdse jazz met duidelijke wortels in de historie, die zich graag laat herbeluisteren en daarbij aan diepte en zeggingskracht wint.”
http://jazzflits.nl/jazzflits16.13.pdf
SJOERD VAN AELST

MENTALE REIS DOOR NEDERLAND MET GOTTFRIED dI FRANCO – Jazznu.com
“..So Far is door de persoonlijke beschrijvingen van Nederland een album dat sfeer en individualiteit uitademt. Nergens wordt grof muzikaal geweld aangewend om (vermeend?) vakmanschap te bewijzen. Creativiteit, intimiteit en impressionisme overtuigen veel meer. Strak gecomponeerde delen worden op een natuurlijke wijze afgewisseld met fraaie persoonlijke invullen van de bandleden. Die je gerust als improvisaties mag beschouwen…”
RINUS VAN DER HEIJDEN
http://jazznu.com/cdrecensies/mentale-reis-door-nederland-met-gottfried-i-franco/

COSI’ LONTANO, COSI’ VICINO – QuiSalento
“So Far è un disco che, in dieci tracce, non urla, non strepita, non si impone con artifici funambolici, ma racconta storie chiare, semplici e anche molto personali…”
“..guarda lontano, al futuro, attraverso sonorità nuove, impressioniste, ma che strizza l’occhio al passato…”
“So Far è un disco da avere. E da ascoltare, piano.”
LAURA RIZZO

JAZZ The Italian Way #2 – Jazz’Halo
“Einem Frühlingsrauschen im zarten Grün gleicht „Subconcious-Lee“…
“Kontemplation kommt auf, wenn das Gitarrensolo das Stück „P.“ eröffnet…
“..Eine Hommage an Amsterdam findet sich mit „Leidseplein Madness“: Da rockt es ganz gewaltig. Exaltiert gibt sich das Saxofon, das sich dann aber wieder fängt und ein zartes Windsäuseln von sich gibt. Der Wahnsinn macht, so scheint es, auch auf dem Leidseplein mal eine Pause. Doch dann meint man beim weiteren Zuhören, Feuerwerksraketen werden in den Himmel geschossen, und der Gitarrist lässt die Saiten schwirren, jaulen, wimmern, heulen. Zum Schluss findet sich dann noch das musikalische „Glück“.
Texte © ferdinand dupuis-panther
https://www.jazzhalo.be/reviews/cdlp-reviews/various/jazz-the-italian-way-2/?fbclid=IwAR0DPYEW_RHCHz_grUFI74UK8hMVAvkr7jUckGoOvc56R3nzg42L7uqwJs4

INTRO – Mynah

22nd August 2016 by admin

INTRO – Released 23.03.2016
Produced by Mynah and Emme Produzioni Musicali.
Intro, Coda, Eleonora , Blues in F are composed by Gabriele di Franco; Check, Maggiore e Vitale, Partenza by Antonio De Donno; Via Mare by A. De Donno and G. di Franco; Light’s Lapse by Federico Pecoraro and G. di Franco.
Graphic Design by Luigi Partipilo

‘Intro’ is dedicated to the memory of Enrico di Franco.

Band’s members:
– Gabriele di Franco (guitar),
– Antonio De Donno (drums),
– Federico Pecoraro (el. bass),
– Vincenzo Presta (tenor sax) on tracks 4 and 7.

Tracklist:
1) Intro
2) Check
3) Light’s Lapse
4) Coda
5) Via Mare
6) Maggiore e Vitale
7) Eleonora
8) Blues in F
9) Partenza

Recorded and mixed by Francesco Lupi from 14th to 17th of April 2015 at Tube Recording Studio
Mastered by Mauro La Ficara at Tube Recording Studio

Catalog: ERL 1509

Liner notes:

Intro Breath Suspension Heat
Melancholy Lyrical Sweet Silence Labile
Pathós Sweat Hope Start.

Mini-Videos European Tour

LINK:

http://www.mynah.it

https://www.facebook.com/mynahtrio

https://twitter.com/mynahtrio

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsJc7E-SykSCQTdRbF-kdog

https://soundcloud.com/mynah-trio

Label: Emme Record Label

Code ASIN: B01BKVXX92

Description ITA:

Atmosfere rarefatte, note sospese, un sound minimale che a tratti si accende volando verso
orizzonti nuovi, a tratti diventa introspettivo e intimista. Si presenta così Mynah, trio
composto da Antonio De Donno alla batteria, Gabriele di Franco alla chitarra elettrica e
Federico Pecoraro al basso elettrico che il 24 marzo 2016 ha pubblicato la sua opera prima
intitolata Intro per l’etichetta Emme Record Label. Una formazione giovanissima che ha
radici nel profondo Sud dell’Italia e che, tuttavia, ha dato prova di non disdegnare incursioni
verso la musica contemporanea e verso quelle atmosfere nordiche che mai come ora sono
apparse così vicine. Non a caso il Mynah è un uccello indiano capace di riprodurre qualsiasi
suono con la stessa timbrica e qualità sonora della fonte originale. Una testimonianza diretta e
una vera e propria rappresentazione del percorso artistico e di crescita portato avanti da un
trio che, attraverso un sound semplice e diretto, è riuscito ad interpretare con anima e
coscienza suoni che provengono da diverse parti del mondo. Quello dei Mynah è infatti un
percorso creativo coerente ma al tempo stesso multiforme, variegato e aperto a nuove
prospettive sonore e compositore.

L’appartenenza ad una terra ricca di contaminazione come la Puglia, la presenza di musica
tradizionale basata su figure ritmiche complesse ed elementi melodici lirici, l’influenza del
jazz contemporaneo e della world music collocano il trio in una dimensione europea, ma
con un forte legame con la propria terra. Passando dal modern jazz, al groove ed alla world
music, i Mynah trascrivono il loro personale “diario di viaggio” tradotto in musica. Tra le nove
tracks che compongono l’opera prima si distinguono infatti le atmosfere intimiste di Via
Mare dove la chitarra elettrica di Gabriele di Franco, mai troppo accesa, mai troppo invadente,
si sposa con una linea ritmica semplice ed efficace. In Eleonora, brano che porta la firma di
Gabriele di Franco spicca, invece, il sassofono di Vincenzo Presta che impreziosisce il suono
della band, con melodie incisive e ricorrenti che non diventano mai elemento musicale
preponderante. Una collaborazione artistica con il sassofonista di Lecce che prosegue anche
nella quarta track dell’album, Coda, in cui il ritmo sincopato del basso elettrico, a tratti
incandescente a tratti minimale, traccia il tessuto ideale per dare spazio ad
un’improvvisazione mai fine a se stessa e sempre al servizio della band. Quest’ultimo è un
elemento caratterizzante e ricorrente dei Mynah che in questo primo disco hanno dato prova
di essere una band compatta, matura e ricca di idee, inventiva dove non manca una buona
dose di sperimentazione.

Bija – Bija

1st August 2016 by admin

Bija – Bija

The Sanskrit term “bija” (seed) represents the source and at the same time the cause of all things. It is the vibration and the primordial sound from which it all began. From this fascination, in 2011 Bija were born.

This atypical trio, composed, somewhat by chance, of an electric guitar, a trumpet and drums, made the decision to create music according to their personalities without musical prejudices.

It is the very idea of orchestration and arrangement that is put into question by this ensemble. The result is a dense writing, inspired by different musical perspectives such as rock, classical, world and jazz, which constitutes the trio’s musical backgrounds.

Altogether, it reflects, a postmodern attitude that manifests itself in expressionist chiaroscuro, narrative melodies, odd times and warm sounds.

In 2012, before devoting themselves entirely to the writings and the production of their first album, the Bija composed the soundtrack for the short film “The Distracted Guardian” by director Marcello Ciullo.

As a result they took part in both festivals and contests such as Jimmy Wood Award 2012 in La Spezia (finalist), the B-Live contest 2012 (Critics Award), the Soundslices contest 2012 (first place), the Otranto Jazz Festival in 2012 and the JazzUp 2012 of Greg Burk. The latter got them the prize of “Band revelation of the year”.

Appearing on the first album are the band members, Francesco Pellizzari (drums and percussion), Gabriele di Franco (electric guitar and loops) and Marco Puzzello (trumpet and flugelhorn) and also guest artists Emanuele Coluccia (sax) and Stefano Luigi Mangia(voice).

Bija’s album was produced thanks to a crowdfunding campaign initiated by the band on www.musicraiser.com