30th October 2026
	Berlin
	B Flat

The Value of Choices is the long-awaited new work by composer, guitarist, and storyteller Gabriele di Franco—a project shaped by years of reflection, doubt, vision, and the courage to choose. Written for a remarkable ensemble of musicians whose personalities and sounds inspired every line of ink on the score, the album unfolds as a collection of narratives where jazz meets classical colors, folk sensibility, and contemporary imagination.

Across eight compositions, di Franco explores how every decision—musical or personal—carries weight. Each piece opens a small universe: a dreaming fly, an ancient Sardinian chant reframed through a woman’s eyes, a lullaby for two children, the heaviness of loss, the intimacy of doubt, the breath that becomes creation. Voices, improvisation, and orchestral textures weave into a sound world where emotion and craftsmanship coexist.

The album features gripping solos, rich orchestrations, and collaborations with guest vocalists François Vaiana, Vanesa Diaz Gil, Lieselot De Wilde, and Federico Pecoraro. Through them, di Franco expands the ensemble’s timbral palette, giving story and sound equal expressive force.

At the heart of this project lies a simple yet profound idea:
“In composition, as in life, every choice shapes meaning.”

Holding this record—whether physically or digitally—is already one such choice. And for di Franco, it means everything.

The Value of Choices is dedicated to his family and to mentor Kris Defoort, whose guidance has deeply influenced the composer’s artistic path.

Alongside his work as a composer, di Franco has built an international profile in musical theatre, opera, and contemporary music. His works—acclaimed by prestigious competitions across Europe and Asia—reflect a passion for narrative, structure, and emotional honesty. His libretti and musical theatre works, including the award-winning LULELA, reveal an artist who moves fluidly between mediums while staying rooted in the poetic power of sound.

With this album, Gabriele di Franco invites listeners into a space of reflection: a place where stories breathe, choices resonate, and music becomes a shared moment of meaning.

FETE Big Band

FETE Big Band (formerly known as Markus Ehrlichs Flexible Eingreiftruppe – “The Big Band”) is a Berlin-based large jazz ensemble led by saxophonist Markus Ehrlich. Known for its dynamic sound and tailor-made arrangements spanning big band classics and original compositions, the band is a fixture of Berlin’s jazz scene.

FETE Big Band — IG: instagram.com/feterecords FB: facebook.com/feterecords

Reeds

Otto Hirte

Leonie Freudenberger

Markus Ehrlich

Marc Doffey

Viktor Wolf

Trumpets

Florian Menzel

Jan Kaiser

Dima Bondarev

Johannes Böhmer

Trombones

Andrej Ugoljew

Nils Marquardt

Jan Jäger

Friedrich Milz

Rhythm

Johannes von Ballestrem (pno)

Max Leiß (bass)

Tobias Backhaus (drums)

Special Guest

Mette Nadja (voc)