Gabriele di Franco
Finalist in “Scrivere in Jazz 2024”
I am thrilled to announce that my composition “Bloemen” has been selected as a finalist for the prestigious “Scrivere in Jazz 2024” competition, category B. This recognition provides me with an incredible opportunity for international exposure and network expansion.
The finals will take place at Teatro Verdi in Sassari on August 12, where all finalist compositions will be performed, and composers will present their creative processes to the jury. The winners will be announced on August 13, followed by performances of the winning pieces.
Stay tuned for more updates and wish me luck!
For more information, visit Associazione Blue Note Orchestra.
Recording of “The Value Of Choices” Album
I’m thrilled to share that I recorded my album “The Value Of Choices” in July. It was an incredible experience, made possible by the support of fantastic musicians. Although there’s still a lot of work ahead with mixing, mastering, and finalizing the release details, I can’t wait to share this project with everyone!
Stay tuned for updates and more information on my website/socials/newsletter! 🙂
The Value Of Choices
The Value Of Choices
ABOUT THE ORCHESTRA
“The Value Of Choices” is the new orchestral constellation led by composer and conductor Gabriele di Franco.
Gabriele has passionately devoted his creative efforts to composing for large ensembles, resulting in an impressive collection of awards. In fact, he has won no less than 7 international composition awards in the past three years alone.
Among them, 3rd prize with the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra & JamMusicLab Univristy in 2023 (AT), 1st prize at Scrivere in Jazz in 2022 (IT), commissioned composer at the European Composers project of Subway Jazz Orchestra in 2021 (DE), 3rd prize at UMO Jazz Orchestra (FI), and many more.
Today, Gabriele has decided to reinvest the awards won in the creation of his Orchestral constellation: “The Value Of Choices”.
The album, sharing its title with the project, draws inspiration from Gabriele’s mentor, Kris Defoort, dedicating its opening track in homage to him. Featuring a mix of previously awarded compositions and fresh material from the past three years, the music promises an engaging travel through the diverse tapestry of jazz.
Bridging the worlds of jazz and classical orchestration, Gabriele’s writing style is deeply rooted in jazz traditions, drawing inspiration from the great orchestrators of classical music while embracing modern and pop grooves.
The Value Of Choices will be released in March 2026 with Challenge Records thanks to the support of the Flemish Government
THE MUSICIANS
“The Value Of Choices” is made by 18 wonderful human beings.
Woodwinds:
Alto Sax/ Soprano/ Flute/ Alto Flute/ Piccolo Flute: Martin Gasser
Alto Sax/Soprano/Flute: Pierre Lagache
Tenor Sax/Soprano/ Flute : Lennert Baerts
Tenor Sax/Bb Clarinet: Tobias Volckaert
Baritone Sax/Bass Clari: Duilio Ingrosso
Trumpets:
Trumpet/Flugelhorn 1: Antoine Colin
Trumpet/Flugelhorn 2: Jany Van Lul
Trumpet/Flugelhorn 3: Thomas Mayade
Trumpet/Flugelhorn 4: Pierre-Antoine Savoyat
Trombones:
Trombone1 : Frederik Heirman
Trombone 2: Quinten De Cracker
Trombone 3: Tim Daemen
Bass Trombone / Tuba: Els Verbruggen
Rhythm Section:
Double Bass: Fil Caporali
Drums: Daniel Jonkers
Piano & Effects: Yu-Ting Li
Guitar & Effects: Machiel Heremans
Conducting & Composition: Gabriele di Franco
Guests:
Lieselot De Wilde – voice
Vanesa Diaz Gil – voice
Francois Vaiana – voice
Federico Pecoraro – el. bass
GET A GLIMPSE OF MY COMPOSITIONAL WRITING FOR LARGE ENSEMBLE
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“5.8.15 for Carla” awarded 3rd prize
It is with pride that I can finally announce that my composition for Symphony Orchestra ‘5.8.15 for Carla‘ was awarded third prize in the Composition Contest Spheres of a Genius by Jam Music Lab Vienna & ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra.
The jury selected the 3 winners from more than 100 applications from all over the world!
Congratulation to the other participants and winners!
THE JURY:
– Marin Alsop,
– Angelika Möser,
– Christoph Becher,
– Bill Dobbins,
– Marcus Ratka
Gabriele di Franco // Francesco Negro
Gabriele di Franco // Francesco Negro
//DUO
ABOUT THE DUO
Gabriele di Franco and Francesco Negro are a duo of composers and musicians originally from Puglia (Italy). Their musical history is a fusion of two distinct paths: while Gabriele spent over a decade abroad and currently lives in Belgium, Francesco chose to root his artistic path in their homeland.
Their collaboration was born from the desire to explore the blending between the acoustic timbres of the piano with the sounds of a semi-acoustic guitar, which often drifts into totally electronic sounds.
In 2022 they released their first album Synolon (Workin’ Label 22 – IT), in which they channeled their musical research into writing strongly composed music, but which often opened up to moments of free improvisations.
“Synolon” sees them on an extensive tour between Italy, Belgium, and Germany, and “Acqua“, the album’s opening track, was awarded at the 1st Ise-Shima International Popular Music Composition Competition in Japan.
August 2023 sees them return to the studio, ready to create their second recording work entitled “Cantabile“.
ABOUT CANTABILE
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
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)
Gabriele di Franco
guitar and effects
Francesco Negro
piano
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Deep _ contemporary studies for guitar
I am extremely pleased and proud to announce that ‘Deep’, a series of 5 etudes and 1 interlude for modern classical guitar, will be released on all digital platforms on 10 March.
Deep will be released by the Belgian/Dutch label Etcetera.
The etudes were recorded by the talented young Belgian guitarist Jasper Iturrospe, who masterfully interpreted them.
But guitarists beware!
The scores of every single study are already available as a free download on this dedicated page, and starting from March, a live video clip for each composition will be published every month on my YOUTUBE channel
new content and updates will be posted on my socials:
and you can stay connected by subscribing to my four-monthly newsletter!
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Betsabea won the “Scrivere in Jazz” international composition award
Oh yes! BETSABEA got the 1st prize (A cat) at the international jazz competition for jazz orchestra ‘Scrivere in Jazz’ hosted by Orchestra Jazz della Sardegna !
This is a double win as it was a long time since my music wasn’t played in Italy, so this makes it even more special.
But I want to congratulate all the finalists, all terrific composers, and human beings!
A special ‘hug’ goes to my fellow composer and old friend Tobias Hoffmann and to my new compositional friend Gerardo Pepe for winning in categories B and C! And to Laura Giulia Veltri that got a Special Mention for her nice work.
And last but not least…thanks to the Jury members that choose Betsabea:
Marco Tiso, Corrado Guarino, Michele Corcella, Gianluigi Trovesi
here more about
Acqua and Berlin awarded at the Ise-Shima International Popular Music Composition Competition
I’m happy to announce that “Berlin” and “Acqua” were awarded in Japan at the 1st Ise-Shima International Popular Music Composition Competition.
Berlin was awarded with a “Special prize” and “Special mention” and “Acqua” with a “Special prize”.
Watch Berlin performed by the UMO Jazz Orchestra
Watch Acqua performed by Synolon
https://en.iseshimaart.com/home
“Betsabea” finalist at the Scrivere In Jazz 2022
I’m happy to share another achievement for this 2022! My composition Betsaba, inspired by the traditional music of Sardinia Tasgia – Miserere, was selected as a finalist at the International Composing Contest Scrivere in Jazz!
8th and 9th of September the finals! Looking forward to it!
The selection committee, made up of musicians Duccio Bertini, Gabriele Comeglio, Michele Corcella, Mario Corvini, Riccardo Fassi, Corrado Guarino, Pino Jodice, Mario Raja, and Marco Tiso, subjected the compositions taking part in the 17th edition of the International Competition of Composition and Arrangement for Jazz Orchestra ‘Scrivere in Jazz 2022’ to careful analysis.
The compositions admitted to the final phase are:
Section A – Compositions based on or inspired by the themes of Sardinian ethnic music: Tasgia
“Bathsheba” by Gabriele di Franco (Lecce, Italy / Brussels, Belgium)
“Bonorva” by Leonardo Prunetti (Grosseto, Italy)
“TB” by Nicola Corso (Campobasso, Italy)
Section B – Free original compositions
“Renegade” by Tobias Hoffmann (Graz, Austria) student at Kunstuniversität Graz
“Sam” by Laura Giulia Veltri (Rome, Italy) student at Det Jyske Musikkonservatorium in Aarhus (Denmark)
“Seeds” by Francesco Spinazza (Spoleto, Italy) student at the Conservatorio “G. Verdi” in Milan.
Section C – Arrangements of pieces by Gianluigi Trovesi
“Dance For a Fat Harlequin” by Daniel Hofecker (Pecs, Hungary)
“Gargantella” by Gerardo Pepe (Gravina in Puglia – BA – Italy)
“Siparietto” by Diego Donati (Corinaldo – AN – Italy).
MORE AT: https://www.abno.com/i-finalisti-di-scrivere-in-jazz-2022/
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Sono felice di condividere un altro bel risultato per questo 2022! La mia composizione Betsaba, ispirata alla musica tradizionale della Sardegna Tasgia – Miserere, è stata selezionata come finalista al Concorso Internazionale di Composizione Scrivere in Jazz!
8 e 9 settembre la finale!
La commissione selezionatrice, formata dai musicisti Duccio Bertini, Gabriele Comeglio, Michele Corcella, Mario Corvini, Riccardo Fassi, Corrado Guarino, Pino Jodice, Mario Raja, Marco Tiso ha sottoposto ad una attenta analisi le composizioni partecipanti alla XVII edizione del Concorso Internazionale di Composizione ed Arrangiamento per Orchestra Jazz “Scrivere in Jazz 2022”.
Le composizioni ammesse alla fase finale sono:
Sezione A – Composizioni basate o ispirate ai temi della musica etnica della Sardegna: Tasgia
“Betsabea” di Gabriele di Franco (Lecce, Italia / Bruxelles, Belgio)
“Bonorva” di Leonardo Prunetti (Grosseto, Italia)
“TB” di Nicola Corso (Campobasso, Italia)
Sezione B – Composizioni originali libere
“Renegade” di Tobias Hoffmann (Graz, Austria) studente presso Kunstuniversität di Graz
“Sam” di Laura Giulia Veltri (Roma, Italia) studentessa del Det Jyske Musikkonservatorium di Aarhus (Danimarca)
“Seeds” di Francesco Spinazza (Spoleto, Italia) studente presso il Conservatorio “G. Verdi” di Milano.
Sezione C – Arrangiamenti di brani di Gianluigi Trovesi
“Dance For a Fat Arlecchino” di Daniel Hofecker (Pecs, Ungheria)
“Gargantella” di Gerardo Pepe (Gravina in Puglia – BA – Italia)
“Siparietto” di Diego Donati (Corinaldo – AN – Italia).