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Francesco Cataldo
Francesco Cataldo was recently singled out by Jazzwise as “a musician of great sensitivity, a prolific composer whose work is heavily influenced by life in the Mediterranean.”
In 2012 he recorded “Spaces” (AlfaMusic) at Sear Sound Studios in New York. For this New York session, Cataldo is joined by bassist Scott Colley, alto saxophonist David Binney, pianist Salvatore Bonafede, drummer Clarence Penn, cellist Erik Friedlander, who blend seamlessly into the spirit of the leader’s compositions.
Francesco Cataldo is a triple threat handling guitars, compositions and arrangements. The diversity in Cataldo’s compositions are striking and his artistic voice is one of those rare moments when an artist is playing from somewhere far deeper than their soul.
This well-conceived and richly delivered album underlines the creative forces that push the music ahead into new territory. There is a strong suggestion of the ECM aesthetic in the pacing and sound of this disc but in generally has a warmer and livelier feel that that. This set mixes calm beauty and rhythmic muscle for compelling music.
This release includes 13 tunes, some inspired by Italy’s stunning cities (Rome, Perugia, Siracusa and its old city, Ortigia), lovely melodies (Algerian Waltz, Your Silence – a Cataldo solo, Tourist in My Town), and the title track, the longest piece and so intimate the musicians seem to be addressing the listener, as well as each other.
On April 2014 Francesco was joined on stage by pianist Kenny Werner for “Spaces” launch tour.
Francesco Cataldo’s name appears in “Italian Jazz Dictionary” (Flavio Caprera, Feltrinelli 2014).
The magazine “Musica Jazz” included Francesco Cataldo Quintet in the list of Top Jazz Groups 2014.
On August 2019 Francesco recorded the new album “Giulia” (Alfa Music) at Forward Studios (Grottaferrata) with Marc Copland , Adam Nussbaum and Pietro Leveratto. Cd came out on February 2020.
On September 2023 Francesco recorded his third album “Amaranto” (Alfamusic) at Forward Studios in piano solo, coming in March 2024.
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Francesco Cataldo: Giulia
by Neri Pollastri
Sa scegliersi i suoi partner il chitarrista e compositore siciliano Francesco Cataldo: dopo che nel suo primo disco Spaces (Alfa Music 2012) si era fatto affiancare dal conterraneo Salvatore Bonafede e dagli americani Erik Friedlander, David Binney, Scott Colley e Clarence Penn, e dopo aver suonato quel repertorio in un gruppo in cui compariva Kenny Werner, eccolo presentare un nuovo lavoro assieme al contrabbassista Piero Leveratto, che da anni vive in Sicilia, e a due icone d'oltreoceano quali sono il ...
read moreFrancesco Cataldo: Giulia
by Dan Bilawsky
There's pure, undiluted beauty emanating from the jewel of an introduction on Francesco Cataldo's Giulia. The Italian guitarist's patient and pristine lines set the scene for “I Tuoi Colori (Prologo)," and his equally graceful band mates—pianist Marc Copland, bassist Pietro Leveratto and drummer Adam Nussbaum—join him, slowly drifting out toward cool blue waters like those spied through the window on the album's cover. There's mystery in the setting, for sure, but also an easy satisfaction. And so it goes for ...
read moreItalian Jazz Luminary Francesco Cataldo To Release First Solo Piano Album - 'Amaranto'
Source:
Scott Thompson Public Relations
Upcoming solo recording Amaranto marks acclaimed jazz guitarist Francesco Cataldo’s first release focusing on keyboards. Amaranto pays tribute to Cataldo’s friend, mentor and inspiration, humanitarian Giuseppe Agosta. Francesco Cataldo, among the most highly regarded Italian jazz musicians of his generation, has long established a reputation as a triple-threat talent, celebrated for his skills as guitarist, composer and arranger. Expect Cataldo to advance to quadruple-threat status soon, as he adds solo piano to his list of achievements with the release of ...
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