The formation is of recent genesis and brings together musicians from different backgrounds, be it jazz, classical music, tango, Afro-Cuban; a mix that makes this ensemble original and particularly interesting. If the criterion of the construction of string formation is often relativized to the accompaniment or embellishment of the proposal, we are faced, in this case, with an orchestra which, autonomously, opens and concludes themes, with a harmonic framework certainly more referred to the modern Big Band than to the String Ensembles, often and unfortunately, waiters at the service of the soloists or quartets on duty. Therefore, the points of contact are with that line that unites the arrangements of Duke Ellington, George Russell and, especially Gil Evans.

In fact, it is rare to meet jazz-inspired formations in our peninsula, consisting of violins, violas, cellos and double basses; in this case, besides the general peculiarity, we certainly meet a white fly, probably the only example of a modern approach to music not made with wind instruments. The latter are present in the band in an exclusively solo quality, surrounded by a rhythm section, string ensemble and vibraphone, an instrument with a magical sound which, in the sound mixture, should also evoke the energy and fluidity of the harp.

Therefore, we just have to wait for the Jazz String Orchestra to test, as a precedent, a young ensemble but born for the precise indication of the musicians who are part of it, practically a need for a new way of expression and communication. It includes Melody Quinteros, Vittoria Nagni, Giulia Anita Bari, Agnese Antonelli on violins, Ambra Michelangeli and Giorgia Martinez on viola, Ludovico Centracchio on cello, Edmondo Cicchetti and Stefano Cesare on double basses, Marco Paolucci on guitar, Giovanni Campanella on drums, Francesco Lo Cascio on vibraphone, Carmen Falato on soprano sax and Danielle Di Majo on alto sax.

Happy listening!

Marco Omicini