We are happy to introduce the Ethereal Jazz part of our lineup. This year the Italian Fusion Festival presents Maja Elliott Ensemble.
Maja Elliott’s music takes you on an ethereal journey through Debussy-inspired landscapes infused with classical improvisation, nordic modern jazz, ethnic rhythms and Irish overtones. Maja Elliott is a pianist, singer and composer. Her music incorporates classical, modern jazz, ethnic music and improvisation. She has been featured on Lyric FM on the Blue of the Night. She toured and recorded for 10 years with the performance poet David Tibet of Current 93 and performed alongside Will Auldham and Anohni who wrote, “Maja’s piano playing has touched me. She is so expressive, holding notes in fearless witness to subtle emotions.” She has written music for film soundtracks and co-composed music and played the piano for the film Native with Patrick Bergin.
Ben Prevo was born in Manhattan N.Y. and has been playing gigs and writing and recording songs and sounds for forty-plus years. Guitarist and vocalist Ben brings the integrity and emotional honesty of The Blues to his genre-hopping repertoire of original songs and covers. Known for his quirky style and use of dynamics, Ben has played at many festivals and venues thru the years – The Dublin Temple Bar Blues Festival, Monaghan Harvest Time Jazz Festival, Cork Jazz Festival, The Clifden Arts Festival… and more. Ben has played prestigious venues such as the Ulster Hall, the Gaiety, and the Apollo Theatre; and cities from Munich to San Diego to Woodstock New York. He’s also featured and performed on national and regional Irish radio & TV and Regional New York and Polish TV. He has released four albums—two studios and two lives—and has appeared on several compilations.
Petar Krivitsky is a Bulgarian multi-instrumentalist playing electric guitar, double bass and bass guitar. Currently, he is studying at DCU in Jazz and Contemporary music studies and performing both guitar and double bass.
Maja Elliott (piano, voice)
Ben Prevo (electric guitar)
Isabelle O’Kane (backing vocals and sound effects)
We are happy to introduce the Mesmerizing Jazz part of our lineup. This year the Italian Fusion Festival presents Antoni O’Breskey – Nomadic Piano Project
Composer, pianist and trumpet player, writer and music educator. Born in Italy with Argentine roots, he graduated in piano at Conservatorio Luigi Cherubini of Florence and introduced improvised-style piano into Irish and Flamenco music during the early 80’s, blending it with blues and creating a positively new and original jazz piano style.
Oliver Sweeney, in the Irish music magazine HOT PRESS, wrote of him: “He is a man for whom the notion of borders means very little, a genius whose music is without frontiers, and whose originality makes him one of the most innovative artists in the varied musical genres of today.”
He has been breaking barriers among many different kinds of music: “The categories of “World” and “New Age” music did not exist when O’ Breskey began his trailblazing journey yet he was the first to combine Flamenco, Basque, Arabic, Latin and Irish elements, his virtuoso jazz-styled piano uniting these traditions in remarkably original compositions.” FIONA RITCHIE, THE NPR CURIOUS LISTENER’S GUIDE TO CELTIC MUSIC, U.S.A.
He also developed a new trumpet sound mixing Irish Sean Nós and blues, as Harry Long describes in his Walton’s Music Anthology: “Breskey’s unique approach […] the playing is superb and his style successfully combines Irish traditional and blues styles” HARRY LONG, THE WALTON’S GUIDE TO IRISH MUSIC
With his work “Orekan: The Ethnic Symphony” (1992) he created a new “symphonic” concept bringing together piano (the top classical instrument which started the new “well temperament” system) with a vast variety of “not tempered” instruments, belonging to many different ethnic traditions.
“Orekan is not only a masterpiece, it is above all a unique social document which gives us a strong idea of our roots, and in addition points out a few possible roads we might take in the future” OLIVER SWEENEY, HOTPRESS
For many years and predating the times he was gathering together extraordinary musicians from all over the world, and recording more than 35 albums which form “The Nomadic Piano Collection”. Among the many collaborators who appear in this collection are: Ronnie Drew (The Dubliners), Máirtín O’Connor (De Dannan), Antonio Carmona (Ketama), Gabin Dabire, José Seves (Inti-Illimani), Benito Lertxundi, Cathy Jordan (Dervish) and many more.
He is also known to be the inspirer of the show Riverdance: “Bill Whelan developed O’Breskey’s synthesis of Flamenco, jazz and Irish traditional strands as a key structure in his Irish music and dance spectacular, Riverdance.” FIONA RITCHIE, THE NPR CURIOUS LISTENER’S GUIDE TO CELTIC MUSIC, U.S.A.
“Well pre-dating Riverdance.” FINTAN VALLELY, THE IRISH TIMES
“Ahead of his time… in 1979 Antóni O’ released a track called “Sunrise”, some of which sounds almost exactly like Riverdance”. VICTORIA CLARKE, SUNDAY INDEPENDENT
His classic and minimalist compositions for piano and cello, interpreted by his collaborator Davide Viterbo, as well as his world music, have become soundtracks for cinema, television, theatre and ballet.
His contribution to Irish music and culture was celebrated in the National Concert Hall in Dublin in 2005, 2007, 2012.
[…] O’Breskey’s musical crossovers have an ethical imperative. He seeks to mesh the majority with the minority, the present with the past, and the vocal with the silenced, so as to “deflate the ethnocentrism of classical Western music.” For this musician, musical cultures are not defined by borders, but by historical roots that reach deeply across all areas of the globe.” COLLEEN TAYLOR, THE IRISH ECHO, NEW YORK“
“Mesmerizing. O’Breskey takes a few prisoners in his search for the sublime.“ SIOBHAN LONG, THE IRISH TIMES
Consuelo is a singer, fiddle and bodhran player. She grew up in a countryside house that was a meeting point for many musicians from different cultures and traditions. Her father, composer and pianist Antonio Breschi was working in the 80s and 90s touring with projects Al Kamar and Orekan, blending classical and Jazz with flamenco, Irish, Balkan and African music.
During this time he worked with musicians like Mairtin O’Connor, Steve Cooney, Dolores Keane, Donal Lunny , Ronnie Drew and many others. The house would be a vital meeting point for these musicians and Consuelo’s love and passion for tradition almost certainly began back then. When she was sixteen she began touring with her father as a bodhrán player and singer with The Nomadic Piano Project, traveling to Ireland several times before finally moving to Dublin in 2014 to develop her fiddle playing. She has recorded on several albums for The Nomadic Piano Project, including Dancing Waves (2014) Ready to Sail (2011), Nomadic Aura (2009), Samara (2020) and Blessed Sadness (2021).
In 2014, along with fiddle player and guitarist Eoghan O’ Shaughnessy and Italian multi instrumentalist Matteo Podda, Consuelo released the self-titled debut of folk band The Morning Tree, an international trio that blend the songs and tunes of the Irish music tradition with the folk-baroque, jazz and blues inspired sounds of the British folk revival, particularly of the guitarists Bert
Jansch and John Renbourn (Pentangle) . In 2017, together with fiddle player and singer Lucie Azconaga, she formed the band Varo, a duo who perform Irish traditional songs and tunes with arrangement influences from the Folk, Baroque and Classical traditions, weaving around the melodies with harmonies, drones and countermelodies. With Varo she has performed in the last few years in numerous Festival in Ireland and abroad, including Quiet Lights Festival, St.Patrick’s Festival, Tradition Now at the NCH, and for productions such as TG4’s ‘Samhlú ’ hosted by Tommy Tiernan, ‘Celestial Body’ produced by Sofft Productions. Consuelo has also been a cover-member for Landless since January 2018. She has toured with them in Ireland, Scotland and Slovakia.
We are happy to introduce the Italian and Brazilian Jazz part of our lineup. This year the Italian Fusion Festival presents Luisa Annibali Band.
Led by the talented Italian singer and composer, Luisa Annibali Band is a Dublin-based ensemble with an international lineup. They naturally compound different styles of music, exploring Jazz, Neo Soul, Funky, Brazilian music, and Free Jazz.
Indeed, it is the encounter between people from different cultures that makes this band so unique. The warm and soulful voice of the leader combined with her experience as a jazz singer and performer make her shows interesting and enjoyable every time.
All the compositions are written by the leader, who is the curator of the entire project, and many
arrangements are written with and by the guitarist of the band Johnathan Santos. Luisa Annibali Band is certainly a collaborative team. They are currently working on their first EP, which will be released in July 2022.
At The Italian Fusion Festival Luisa Annibali Band will present a mixed repertoire of original
compositions and some of their favourite Jazz, Brazilian and Italian songs.
https://www.italianfusionfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Luisa-Annibali-Band-1-1.jpg5651127IFFhttps://www.italianfusionfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/logo_italian_fusion_festival.pngIFF2022-06-09 13:34:382022-06-09 18:27:40Luisa Annibali Band
We are happy to introduce Giulio Vesprini the Italian part of our art exhibitionItalian Fusion – A visual Art Show – Shane O’Driscoll e Giulio Vesprini in mostra. Italian Fusion is the third exhibition in the series “The art of Italian illustration 2022” organized by the Italian Institute of Culture in Dublin throughout 2022. Attendance is free. The exhibition will be open from 16th June to 2nd July 2022 on weekdays only (10am-1pm and 2.30pm-4.30pm). More info here and here the booklet .
Giulio Vesprini (°1980, Civitanova Marche, Italy) is an urban artist and graphic designer who works in a variety of media. He has attended two major schools: Accademy of Fine Arts and the Departement of Architecture. With a subtle minimalistic approach, Vesprini focuses on the idea of ‘public space’ and more specifically on spaces where graphic and wall can be united at any given moment: the non-private space and space that is economically uninteresting can become utility space. His artworks are often about contact with architecture and graphic elements.
By applying abstraction, he creates intense personal moments masterfully created by means of rules and omissions, acceptance and refusal, luring the viewer round and round in circles. His practice provides some graphic tools with a minimalist approach in the world of art: these meticulously planned works resound and resonate with images culled from the fantastical realm of imagination.
In a search for new methods to ‘read the city’, he creates work in which a fascination with the clarity of content and attitude towards conceptual and minimal art can be found. His work doesn’t reference at recognisable form but Vesprini focuses the results in one word, the word that he love: “Archigrafia” where he deconstructed this concept to the extent that meaning is shifted and possible interpretation becomes multifaceted. He has obtained various awards and publications related to his graphic design, wall paint and illustration work.
We are happy to introduce the Latin Jazz part of our lineup. This year the Italian Fusion Festival presents Almonte and Molina – A Guitar Duologue.
Growing up in the hothouse of Latin-American rhythms and styles, and schooled in the art of jazz and improvisation, the duo explores and develops time-honoured songs and original compositions in a unique and innovative style. Rodrigo Almonte (Peru) and Orlando Molina (Chile/Venezuela) are both guitarists and composers, and they have combined forces to create an artistic work that blends elements of Jazz and Latin-American Music which welcome the listener to experience the duo’s musical friendship.
Originally from Venezuela, Orlando Molina has gained recognition not only for his mastery as a guitarist and composer but also for his versatility as a musician. He has been invited to perform for important public figures such as Mr. President Michael D. Higgins (Ireland), Wynton Marsalis, David Bisbal, Ruben Blades, Conor McGregor among others. In addition, Orlando has performed, toured and recorded with artists such as Andreas Morricone, Gustavo Dudamel, Ronan Guilfoyle, Miguel Siso, Phil Ware, Marie Séférian, David Pabón, Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, Guaco, Orquesta Sinfónica de Venezuela, Chino y Nacho, Oscarcito, Andy Duran, Simón Bolívar Big Band, ‘El Sistema Nacional de Orquestas Sinfónicas de Venezuela’, to name just a few.
Rodrigo Almonte is a Peruvian guitarist and composer based in Dublin. He has played extensively on the Peruvian and European jazz scene with his own different musical projects. His lyrical melodies, fresh chords and intricate rhythms are equally present and well-balanced on his solos and compositions. With his South American and contemporary jazz influences, Almonte brings a unique approach to music. Rodrigo’s latest album ‘Distancia’ is already available on all digital platforms.
We are happy to introduce the soul/jazzy part of our lineup. This year the Italian Fusion Festival presents Suzanne Savage with Danny Forde.
Awarded the N.Ireland Arts Council SIAP for work on her critically acclaimed solo album ‘Jellymould’, charismatic songwriter and performer Suzanne Savage’s most recent project, The Savage Five, for voice and international string 4tet, was nominated for the 2016 German Record Critics’ Awards (Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik), with their debut album Sleepwalking.
She is now back doing her own thing, and bringing it to the people: fronting her Art-soul solo music with violin, guitar and her unique voice – with a quartet of Dublin’s finest killer musicians. Suzanne recently appeared with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra in Dublin’s Bord Gais Energy Theatre, performing ‘the Music of Leonard Cohen’ as guest soloist alongside Lisa Hannigan, Phelim Drew and Mick Flannery on 4th & 5th March 2020. Leonard Cohen’s “Dance Me To The End of Love” live with the RTE Concert Orchestra on the Ray D’arcy Show (Oct 2019)
Live with RTE Concert Orchestra on The Ray D’Arcy Show In demand as a session vocalist for high profile acts across jazz, singer-songwriter, Irish and classical music. From touring Europe and U.S. as Principle Soprano Soloist with Riverdance, to a scholarship at Italian FABRICA MUSICA institute, she has made music internationally, including with: Paul Brady, Elenor McEvoy, Roseanne Cash, Van Morrison, Jimmy Cobb, Ernie Watts Quartet, Gary Husband and emerging talent such as David Lyttle (UK), Markus Strothmann (GER), the Matteo Addabbo Organ Trio (IT), and the great Oscar and Tony-winning composer David Shire. The Belfast native plans on coming home to a full Irish and UK tour late 2020, and is working on album #2 for solo and Savage Five material. Dublin’s Arthurs Bar Dec 2019
Suzane will be playing with Danny Forde.Danny is an award-winning songwriter, singer/multi-instrumentalist, and composer from Ireland. Danny is a passionate performer and has played most major venues and festivals across Ireland. He has performed his music live on national TV and radio. Recent collaborations include a concert of his songs with Téada Orchestra, Ireland’s premier contemporary string orchestra. His performing credits also include touring and collaborations with I Have A Tribe, Hozier, Slow Skies, Ebo, Loah, Discovery Gospel Choir, Kila, and Giraffes.
While at Berklee College of Music on a Fulbright scholarship, he teamed up with two Scandinavians to form the indie-folk inspired Karmacloud. Karmacloud have toured throughout Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland and the UK. Following the release of their debut EP, selected for the Spotify ‘New Folk & Acoustic’ playlist and described as “beautiful vocal harmonies and folk vibes that make me think of CSN&Y, Joni Mitchell and the early seventies”; they will release three new singles in Autumn/Winter 2015. Danny’s music lies on the musical map at the crossroads of Bon Iver, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Elbow and Damien Rice, accompanied by harmony voices and delicate string arrangements.
https://www.italianfusionfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Suzanne-Savage-.jpg7201080IFFhttps://www.italianfusionfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/logo_italian_fusion_festival.pngIFF2020-07-23 16:36:402020-07-23 16:36:56Suzanne Savage with Danny Forde
We are happy to introduce the Italian Jazz part of our lineup. This year the Italian Fusion Festival presents Giulio “Julyo” D’agostino & Dario Rodighiero.
Giulio “Julyo” D’agostino (born in Genoa, Italy) is a guitarist, mandolin player, producer and bass player of Italian origin who has several International Awards for his film scoring work. Julyo has worked and performed with Armando Corsi (Paco de Lucia, Ivano Fossati), Mark Mangold (Cher, Michael Bolton), Mike Mangini (Steve Vai, Extreme), Keith Patchel (Johnny Thunders, Television), Michael Maccini (Simple Minds) and Laurence Gartel (Andy Wharol, Coca Cola).
A Milan-born, Dublin-dwelling improviser, pianist, keyboardist and composer Dario Rodighiero is a versatile musician. He left Italy in 2014 to pursue his music career in Dublin, where he performs in live shows, regularly collaborates with a wide range of artists, and composes soundtracks and scores for films. After moving to Dublin in 2014, Dario started his own musical project by founding Miss Phoenix and the Jaffa Cakes a trio that makes retro swing versions of modern pop songs. He is also a keyboard player in two other Dublin-based bands. He arranged, recorded and performed several singles in London for Ciara Donnelly, talented Irish singer and songwriter. Passionate about films, Dario found his true vocation when he started composing film scores. He collaborated with the Irish director Cathal Feeney as well as other film producers and directors in Ireland. Recently, several of the movies he scored have been selected for film festivals and competitions.
We are happy to introduce the Mediterranean part of our lineup. This year the Italian Fusion Festival presents Iordanis Sidiropoulos.
Iordanis Sidiropoulos is a Greek poli instrumentalist music composer, singer- songwriter. He explored the paths of Rock through his bands and also classical music through string orchestration and piano. He collaborated with major Greek artists, released various albums. He also shared the stage with Donal Lunny and has played in the Mansion House in Dublin in the presence of the Lord Mayor. In 2020 he composed music for a short length film that was awarded at the New York International Film Festival. Currently he is preparing his next album and also a cover of the “Sardinian Deus Ti Salvet Maria”.
We are happy to introduce the classical undercurrents and breakbeat improvisation part of our lineup. This year the Italian Fusion Festival presents Maja Elliott with Dylan Lynch.
Maja Elliott is a pianist/singer/composer. Her music is dreamy and ethereal weaving in classical, ethnic and jazz influences and has been played on Lyric FM The Blue of the Night and Vespertine. She toured internationally with underground phenomenon Current 93, played solo in the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco and performed alongside Will Auldham and Antony and the Johnsons (now Anohni) who wrote, “Maja Elliott´s playing has touched me. She is so expressive, holding notes in fearless witness to subtle emotions.”
This daring new Duo Maja Elliott / Dylan Lynch combines original compositions, jazz, classical undercurrents and breakbeat improvisation. Dylan Lynch is a highly sought after drummer and session musician (Zaska, Loah, Little Green Cars, Soda Blonde, Charlie Moon Organisation). His scintillating and subtle rhythms punctuate Maja’s sonorous soundscapes.
We are happy to introduce the blues part of our lineup. This year the Italian Fusion Festival presents Frank Francone.
Frank Francone is a blues and rock guitarist and singer. In his career Frank played with several Bands and Artists in Italy, France and Ireland, such as Karl Potter (U.S.A.), Cheryl Porter (U.S.A.) and, in Ireland, with Dermot Byrne, Don Baker and with the Jim Finn Blues Band (Australia). He also collaborates in some projects of films and documentaries.
Now he’s performing as solo Blues Artist. In his repertoire we find songs by Freddy Mc Dowell, Lightning Hopkins, Willie Dixon,…, as well as original blues songs and instrumentals. Lastly, he’s starting as guitarist with the rock-blues Band ‘The Voodoo Kitchen’.
We are happy to introduce the classical undercurrents and breakbeat improvisation part of our lineup. This year the Italian Fusion Festival presents Maja Elliott with Dylan Lynch.
