L’Ambasciatore Cevese, prematuramente scomparso – scrive nella lettera d’invito il console generale d’Italia a Johannesburg Enrico De Agostini -, non avrebbe avuto dubbi nell’incoraggiarci a continuare a dare impulso alla cultura italiana in Sud Africa. Fu proprio sua, infatti, l’idea che la celebrazione della Festa della Repubblica si arricchisse quest’anno di un concerto di musica jazz. È per questo che Italjazz 2008 sarà dedicato alla sua memoria.
L’“Anita Vitale Acoustic Jazz Quartet” inizierà la sua tournee sudafricana a Johannesburg con un concerto che promette di passare alla storia nel panorama della musica italiana in Sud Africa. La grande tradizione della musica italiana si fonderà con il jazz più moderno, attraverso sofisticati arrangiamenti di canzoni italiane d’epoca.
Il concerto inizierà alle ore 18,30 di sabato 31 maggio presso la Grand Hall della Wits University. Entrata libera.
The Anita Vitale Acoustic Jazz Quartet
Always reaching for the highest level of expression and entertainment, the Anita Vitale Jazz Quartet defines contemporary acoustic jazz with its blend of sophisticated original arrangements of Italian songs of the 1920ies and a unique treatment of the classic jazz repertoire. A working ensemble since 2006, the Acoustic Jazz Quartet approaches the traditional quartet format from a new perspective creating a unique ensemble sound.
Anita Vitale
At the age of eight Anita started studying piano and later on dedicated herself to singing, which gave her the opportunity to play with great national and international jazz musicians.
In 2002 she recorded a CD with the orchestra “Macchina di suoni” directed by Marvy La Spina. At the Umbria Jazz Festival she receives a scholarship for the Berklee College of music (Boston). Also studied at the Groningen Conservatory of Jazz (Holland) with Ralph Peterson, Conrad Herwig, Brian Linch, David Berkmann, Dina De Rose, Ron Jakson, Don Bradon.
She has performed In Amsterdam, London and New York and has performed with Bobby Mc Ferrin, Lucio Dalla, Claudio Baglioni, Mario Raja Orchestra, Romano Mussolini, Pietro Tonolo, Maurizio Giammarco, Piero Leveratto, Claudio Corvini, Roberto Rossi, Marcello Rosa, Giampaolo Casati, Salvatore Bonafede, Vito Di Modugno, Stefano D’anna.
Lorenzo Petrocca
Born in Crotone, Lorenzo showed his first musical interests in 1984. Soon he played with Italian dance bands and soul and funk bands. He finally discovered Jazz in 1989. Leading member of the "Lorenzo Petrocca Quartet", and with "The Petrocca Brothers", he is also a demanded sideman.
Played in following countries: Italy, Switzerland Germany, France, Belgium, USA, Luxembourg, Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Poland, Russia, Mozambique, South Africa, England, Ireland, Scotland, North Ireland, Estonia, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Sweden. Lorenzo has toured and recorded with: Monty Alexander, Scott Hamilton, Herb Ellis, Martin Drew, Jim Snidero, Tony Scott, Tootie, Jimmy and Percy Heath, Dusko Goykovich, Danny Moss, Oscar Klein, Ack van Rooyen, Lars Erstrand, Benny Bailey, Billy Mitchell, Peanuts Hucko, Jeff Clayton, Don Rader, Harry Allen, Jiggs Whigham, Peter Herbolzheimer, Bobby Burgess, Howard Levy, Tony Mann, Pete York, Alan Barnes, Al Martino, Bruno de Filippi, Gianni Basso, Jimmy La Rocca, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Charly Antolini, Emil Mangelsdorf, Bruce Adam.
Calogero Marrali
Great drummers such as Gene Krupa, Max Roach, Billy Hart & Joe Morello are his role models. He studied with Maestro Eder Guardigli for admission at the conservatory in Bologna. As a member of the Groovin' Jazz Orchestra – participated in the “Tribute to Nick La Rocca Festival” with Jim La Rocca - he took first place in the International Music Competition in Weimar, Germany with the “Riff Quartet”.
He worked with Romano Mussolini - with Maestro Roberto Pregadio – and toured with Jim Snidero, Lino Patruno, Pavel Smetacek, Bruce Adams, Roberto Pregadio Orchestra and the Corale Canape of Sassari, Nicola Giammarinaro, Guido Pistocchi, Michele Ariodante, Tony Scott, Irio De Paula, Jim Snidero, Oscar Klein, Bruno De Filippi , Ack Van Rooyen, Salvatore Bonafede, Nick Costa, Massimo Faraò, Paolo Benedettini, Francesco Cafiso, Jenny B, Gianluca Velotti, Enzo Randisi, Michael Alen, Giovanni Falzone, Paul Rodberg, Netii Ross.
Diego Tarantino
Bass and Double Bass Player, he is one of the musicians most in demand in Sicily. He has studied electric bass with Igor Ciotta and he’s still studying classical music. Tarantino participated in several Jazz Festivals such as: Festival jazz of Lagnau Medfest Festival - Buccheri 2006 - Il Melograno Arbereshe 2007.
He has collaborated with great national and international jazz artists such as: Paul Jeffrey, Pavel Smetacek, Mario Raja, Giampaolo Casati, Stefano d’Anna, Miriam Ahida, Deborah J.Carter, Jimmy Weinstein.
