Album Reviews
“A sonic narrative, a true cinematography of sound.
The music is written with open spaces, like a commedia dell’arte of jazz.”
“Di Franco demonstrates precise control over sectional balance, confirming a writing style that rejects the obviousness of volume in favor of the intelligence of space.”
“While composing, one is often faced with an infinite range of possible timbres, dynamics, and evolutions through which the music may unfold. Every note chosen, every decision made, has a profound impact on the final result.
In composition, as in life: this is the value of choices.”
This idea lies at the heart of The Value Of Choices, Gabriele di Franco’s orchestral project released on Challenge Records on March 6th, 2026.
Shaped by years of artistic research, reflection, and compositional exploration, the album brings together eighteen musicians and guest artists in a deeply narrative musical journey where jazz meets classical colors, folk sensibilities, and contemporary imagination.
Over the past years, Gabriele has devoted much of his creative work to writing for large ensembles, receiving several international awards and recognitions for his compositions. Among them: 3rd Prize at the “Spheres of a Genius” Composition Competition organized by the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra & JamMusicLab University (2023), 1st Prize at the Scrivere in Jazz International Composition & Arrangement Competition for Jazz Orchestra with Betsabea (2022), selection as composer for the European Composers project of Subway Jazz Orchestra (2021), and 3rd Prize at the UMO Jazz Orchestra Composition Competition in Finland.
The album draws inspiration from one of the most profound teachings of Gabriele’s mentor, Kris Defoort, to whom the title track is dedicated. Combining previously awarded compositions with new material written over the past years, The Value Of Choices unfolds as a collection of musical narratives where every composition opens a distinct emotional and imaginative world.
Across eight original tracks, di Franco explores themes of choice, doubt, memory, loss, transformation, and creation: a dreaming fly, an ancient Sardinian chant revisited through a woman’s perspective, a lullaby for two children, the heaviness of loss, the intimacy of uncertainty, the breath that becomes creation.
The album features guest appearances by soprano Lieselot De Wilde, alto singer Vanesa Diaz Gil, baritone François Vaiana, and electric bassist Federico Pecoraro.
Bridging the worlds of jazz and orchestral writing, Gabriele’s compositional language is deeply rooted in jazz traditions while drawing inspiration from classical orchestration, cinematic storytelling, and contemporary grooves.
ABOUT THE COMPOSITIONS
Below is the tracklist, featuring a 2 award-winning pieces and 6 new original compositions.
- The Fly (ft. François Vaiana)
The story of a fly that loved to sleep, and to dream. - Betsabea (awarded 1st prize at Scrivere in Jazz 2022)
Inspired by an ancient Sardinian choral Tibi What if we looked at King David’s story through Betsabea’s eyes? - Bloemen (ft. Vanesa Diaz Gil)
A lullaby dedicated to my two beautiful flowers, Anita and Raffaele. - The Value of Choices (ft. Lieselot De Wilde)
Dedicated to my mentor, Kris Defoort. Grazie Kris, you changed my musical growth! - Another Loss
Unheard cries fall among wind and dust like bombs. - Slak
A slow interlude leading into an improvisation. - Blues in F (ft. Federico Pecoraro)
A blues that would love to be in F. - Inhale (Inspira)
Inspired, dedicated, and commissioned by Subway Jazz Orchestra/CGN.
“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 & Loïc Dumoulin
Trumpet/Flugelhorn 2: Jany Van Lul
Trumpet/Flugelhorn 3: Thomas Mayade
Trumpet/Flugelhorn 4: Pierre-Antoine Savoyat
Trombones:
Trombone1 : Frederik Heirman
Trombone 2: Tim Daemen
Trombone 3: Quinten De Cracker & Nabou Claerhout
Bass Trombone / Tuba: Els Verbruggen
Rhythm Section:
Double Bass: Fil Caporali
Drums: Daniel Jonkers & Toni Vitacolonna
Piano & Effects: Yu-Ting Li
Guitar & Effects: Machiel Heremans
Conducting & Composition: Gabriele di Franco
Guest:
Lieselot De Wilde soprano voice on The Value Of Choices
Vanesa Diaz Gil alto voice on Bloemen
Francois Vaiana baritone voice on The Fly
Federico Pecoraro electric bass on Blues in F
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