News – Gabriele di Franco

Featured in Jazz Thing: The Value Of Choices

17th April 2026 by Gabriele di Franco

big band, composition, gabriele di franco, jazz, orchestra, The Value Of Choices

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of being briefly interviewed by Maxi Broecking, who created this beautiful article fully embracing the poetic world of The Value Of Choices.
The article is featured in the April/May 2026 issue of Jazz Thing magazine.

Thank you Maxi for your deep listening and your wonderful words, here’s a short quote below.

“A sonic narrative, a true cinematography of sound.
The music is written with open spaces, like a commedia dell’arte of jazz.”

The Value Of Choices OUT NOW

10th March 2026 by Gabriele di Franco

The Value Of Choices OUT NOW

My new album for jazz orchestra The Value Of Choices is now officially released on Challenge Records (NL).

The project brings together 8 original compositions written over the past years, combining jazz tradition, orchestral writing, and contemporary influences from classical and popular music.

The title reflects one of the most important ideas behind the project: in composition, as in life, every decision shapes the final result.

The album features four wonderful guest artists:

Lieselot De Wilde — soprano voice
Vanesa Diaz Gil — alto voice
François Vaiana — baritone voice
Federico Pecoraro — electric bass

Together with an incredible orchestra of musicians who brought this music to life.

Watch the videos

The Value Of Choices (Official Video)

Bloemen (Official Video)

Listen to the album

(all streaming platforms)

https://orcd.co/x0dnvnk

SUPPORT THE PROJECT

If you would like to support the project and own a physical copy of the album, you can order it through Challenge Records or simply reply to this email and I’ll gladly arrange it.

As an alternative, there are also four beautiful A4 posters created by Federico Fiordigiglio, available to support the project.

If you’re interested, just send me a message.

Available via Challenge Records and major stores
https://www.challengerecords.com

22 WONDERFUL MUSICIANS

This album would not exist without the 22 incredible musicians who brought this music to life.:
Woodwinds: Martin Gasser, Pierre Lagache, Lennert Baerts, Tobias Volckaert, Duilio Ingrosso

Trumpets: Antoine Colin, Loïc Dumoulin, Jany Van Lul, Thomas Mayade, Pierre-Antoine Savoyat

Trombones: Frederik Heirman, Tim Daemen, Quinten De Cracker, Nabou Claerhout, Els Verbruggen

Rhythm Section: Fil Caporali, Daniel Jonkers, Toni Vitacolonna, Yu-Ting Li, Machiel Heremans

Guests: Lieselot De Wilde, Vanesa Diaz Gil, François Vaiana and Federico Pecoraro.

An extra thank you to:
Federico Fiordigiglio (graphics, photo, videos), Vincent De Baest (sound), Robbe Willems (recording supervisor), Kris Defoort, Natahn Surquin, Elly Brouckmans, and the entire Challenge Records team.

New review for Cantabile – Jazz & Mo

21st February 2025 by Gabriele di Franco

cantabile, da vinci jazz, Francesco Negro, jazz, recensione, review, vanesa diaz gil

Wow what a nice review by MVDV for Jazz & Mo!

ENJOY

Finalist in “Scrivere in Jazz 2024”

8th August 2024 by Gabriele di Franco

bloemen, competition, composer, composition, scrivere in jazz

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

31st July 2024 by Gabriele di Franco

jazz orchestra, The Value Of Choices

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! 🙂

“5.8.15 for Carla” awarded 3rd prize

14th July 2023 by Gabriele di Franco

award, carla bley, composition, Jam Music Lab Vienna, ORF, spheres of a genius, symphony orchestra, vienna radio symphony orchestra, winning

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

Deep _ contemporary studies for guitar

22nd February 2023 by Gabriele di Franco

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!

Would you like to be updated about my latest news?

Betsabea won the “Scrivere in Jazz” international composition award

11th September 2022 by Gabriele di Franco

award, competition, composer, composizione, corrado guarino, gabriele di franco, gerardo pepe, gianluigi trovesi, international prize, marco tiso, michele corcella, orchestra jazz della sardegna, premio, scrivere in jazz, tobias hoffmann

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

29th August 2022 by Gabriele di Franco

acqua, berlin, big band, composer, composition, composizione, duo, Ise-Shima International Popular Music Composition Competition, japan

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

20th August 2022 by Gabriele di Franco

2022, big band, composition, jazz orchestra, scrivere in jazz

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/

—-

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).