Italian Composer and Pianist LUDOVICO EINAUDI Announces American Performances from October 4th - 20th, 2016

Modern Maestro to Appear in the US and Canada in Support of Record Breaking Album “Elements” from October 4th - 20th, 2016

New York — Italian composer and pianist Ludovico Einaudi announces October 2016 concert dates in the United States and Canada in support of his latest album “Elements”.  Upon its debut, “Elements” topped classical charts in 42 countries across the globe.  In the United Kingdom it soared into the nation’s mainstream album chart at #12, the first time in over a generation that a classical artist achieved such heights, surpassing releases by pop stars James Bay and Taylor Swift.  Breaking all records with Elements, Einaudi held all top 10 positions in the UK iTunes classical chart while becoming the country’s most streamed classical artist with over 130 million streams, 500,000 followers and 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify.

Ludovico Einaudi has evolved into one of the most successful musicians in the world.  The Guardian points out that if you haven’t heard his music, “then it’s probably because you don’t know it’s by Ludovico Einaudi”.  His compositions have formed the soundtrack of film and TV productions including The Intouchables and the Black Swan working with a diverse range of directors from acclaimed Canadian Xavier Dolan to Oscar winner Clint Eastwood.  Brands such as NIKE and American Airlines have seamlessly sync’d his works in their advertising campaigns.  Einaudi’s unique contemporary musical style, informed by minimalist, ambient, world and rock musics, has defied categories to become part of the fabric of popular culture being heard in shows such as X-Factor, live performances by rapper/singer Nicki Minaj and remixes by post-rockers Mogwai.  In his own concert appearances, Ludovico Einaudi has likewise crossed genres as the first classical act to play the iTunes Festival on a line-up which included pop diva Lady Gaga, EDM superstar Avicii and Grammy-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar.

The Turin-born Ludovico Einaudi is intrinsically linked to Italy’s modern history.  His grandfather Luigi Einaudi was the first post-war president of the newly created Italian republic.  The influential Einaudi book publishing house was created by his father Giulio Einaudi.  The imprint published the early works of venerated Italian authors Italo Calvino and Primo Levi and brought translations of modern masters such as Brecht, Satre and Proust to the country for the first time.  Ludovico Einaudi studied at Milan’s "Giuseppe Verdi” Music Conservatory under composer Luciano Berio and is a holder of the OMRI (Order of Merit of the Italian Republic).

Ludovico Einaudi’s “Elements Tour”, which is currently selling out across the European Continent, will touch down this fall in the United States, where the album debuted at #2 on the Billboard classical chart.  California concerts in San Francisco, Davis and Los Angeles will be followed by Canadian dates in Calgary, Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City.  Crossing the US border, Einaudi performs in New York City before wrapping in the nation’s capital on October 20th.  The complete North American tour is as follows:

LUDOVICO EINAUDI “ELEMENTS” NORTH AMERICAN TOUR

DATE CITY/PROVINCE VENUE LINK

October 4, 2016 San Francisco, CA Herbst Theatre http://bit.ly/1U4rC0q

October 5, 2016 San Francisco, CA Herbst Theatre http://bit.ly/1U4rC0q

October 6, 2016 Davis, CA Mondavi Center - Jackson Hall http://bit.ly/1Ymxo2i

October 8, 2016 Los Angeles, CA Royce Hall Auditorium http://bit.ly/235sjfP

October 11, 2016 Calgary, AB Jack Singer Concert Hall http://bit.ly/1Uw09V0

October 13, 2016 Toronto, ON Koerner Concert Hall http://bit.ly/1Uw06sr

October 14, 2016 Toronto, ON Koerner Concert Hall http://bit.ly/1U9ubUm

October 15, 2016 Montreal, PQ Masion Symphonique de Montreal http://bit.ly/1U9vaDZ

October 16, 2016 Quebec, PQ Le Palais Montcalm - Maison de la Musique http://bit.ly/1tsFxqS

October 18, 2016 New York, NY NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts http://bit.ly/1U4hYNr

October 20, 2016 Washington, DC GWU Lisner Auditorium http://bit.ly/1OlR3NY

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ITALIAN SUPERSTAR ZUCCHERO RELEASES NEW ALBUM AND DVD — LA SESIÓN CUBANA — ON MANHATTAN RECORDS

Hollywood, CA — Zucchero "Sugar" Fornaciari http://www.zucchero.it/eng/  the Grammy-nominated Italian blues-rock singer, and one of Europe's best-selling artists, will release his latest album, La Sesión Cubana,  via Manhattan Records. Known as a musical wanderer, Zucchero achieves a long-held dream of recording in Cuba with the best native musicians in Havana, and exploring the roots of American music along the way.

"My music comes from blues, from soul, and from gospel," Zucchero says. "This project is a trip from New Orleans to Cuba via Mexicali. Latin, Cuban, and Tex-Mex sounds and rhythms melt together dancing. Hasta l'asta siempre."

Produced by Zucchero and Don Was, and mixed by Michael Brauer, La Sesión Cubana features seven brand-new songs, as well as six newly arranged versions of Zucchero's European hits: "Baila," "Un Kilo," "Così Celeste," "Cuba Libre," "Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime," and "L'Urlo." The new recordings consist "Guantanamera (Guajira), original compositions "Love Is All Around" and "Sabor a ti," and the covers "Never Is a Moment," "Nena," "Pana"(a duet with Spanish singer Bebe), and "Ave Maria No Morro" — a duet with Brazilian star Djavan. Each song was recorded virtually live in the studio to ensure the thrill of improvisation.

In addition to the studio album, Manhattan is releasing a deluxe CD/DVD version with the La Sesión Cubana studio CD with a two hour "Live in Havana DVD. A one hour version of The Live in Havana concert program will be featured in March, 2014 by Public Television stations as part of their pledge programs. The program is being presented by WLIW.

April 1st           San Francisco, CA       Great American Music Hall           
April 2nd           Los Angeles, CA         Club Nokia
April 4th           Phoenix, AZ             Wild Horse Pass Casino
April 5th           San Diego, CA           Balboa Theater
April 8th           Dallas, TX              House of Blues           
April 10th          Houston, TX             House of Blues
April 11th          Lafeyette, LA           Vermillionville PAC
April 12th          New Orleans, LA         HOB Parish
April 13th          Nashville, TN           Exit In
April 16th          Chicago, IL             Park West           
April 18th          Boston, MA              Berklee PAC           
April 22nd          New York, NY            The Theater at Madison Square Garden
April 26th          Atlantic City, NJ       Taj Mahal
April 27th          Ledyard, CT             Foxwoods Casino
May 1st             Atlanta, GA             Center Stage
May 3rd             Miami, FL               Gusman Center
May 4th             Tampa, FL               Capitol Theater

Catch Zucchero on tour in the U.S. and Canada this spring

For more about Zucchero:

 http://www.zucchero.it/eng/

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Eros Ramazzotti World Tour Comes to the USA!

Brace yourselves!  Eros Ramazzotti will be making his World Tour debut here in the states, which is sure to excite the droves of Italian Americans who love his music - including me!  He'll be performing in Brooklyn, New York, Atlantic City, NJ - Los Angeles, CA, then onto Miami, FL.  

Check his website for direct links to purchase tickets, see you there!  

http://www.ramazzotti.com/en/category/news/#/en/in-september-and-october-2013-the-noitour-lands-in-america/

*Photo from ErosRamazzotti.com -- Paolo Zambaldi 2012

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Argentine Tango - Where Italian Culture Plays a Leading Role

As many of you know, I love to dance and where almost two years ago I posted my first story on my ballroom journey. Since then, my love for dancing has evolved into something more profound, passionate and intense, hence my new dance of choice, Argentine tango.  I began lessons in Argentine tango as a way to evolve ballroom dancing, but soon after taking many private lessons -I became engulfed in the mystery and intensity of tango.  It's one of those dances that you just can't explain what the feeling is, but it requires a serious cerebral connection.

It's one thing to know steps, but this is far beyond that, it seduces you in 'being in the moment' and understanding movement.  You learn so much about yourself in this dance.  In today's world, we spend so much TIME worrying about TIME and never living in the moment, tango teaches a lesson.  A large element that makes this special is the Argentine tango music, it's like no other. It's a traditional sound, one that I can recall from childhood. I remember my father and mother always dancing the tango at a family wedding or event and then just listening to this type of music at home, so in many ways it brings back amazing memories.

Some of you  may recall as I was telling the story about my father and when he came to America over 50 years ago, he also taught dancing as a way to make ends meet.  I mean this is a man who worked hard his whole life and had a blue collar demeanor to him always, so when he wore his dress shoes, he was someone else -- the dancer.  One of those characteristics about your parents that leaves a huge impression on you as a child.

In learning more about Argentine tango I began researching the history and music, it's pretty amazing to find out that much of the Argentine culture is directly influenced by Italian culture.  A direct statistic of this fact is that up to 20 million Argentines have some direct Italian descent.   They are Argentine Italians as we are Italian Americans.  The immigrant population from Italy to Argentina spikes up to almost 45% during peak years. So you can imagine, everything from the music, food, culture, traditions, dance, art and education were directly influenced by the Italian culture, that's impressive.   After learning this, I feel even more connected to the culture and history of Argentine tango.  My goal is to make it to Argentina for an educational trip on all things tango, but to also learn about the history of the Italian cultural influences.

Here's an incredibly talented group out of New York City called 'Importango' , who are in the process of creating a tango album.  Listen and watch their introduction here:





Photo Credit: E. Cullari  Tweet

Passione - A Film By Italian American Director & Actor John Turturro

John Turturro directs the sequence for 'Don Raffe'.

'Passione' a film by Italian American actor and director John Turturro, an amazingly 'passionate' documentary on the regional history of Neapolitan music.  If you've ever been to Italy you know that every region has it's own dialect, music, dance, food, etc.. so when you really dig down to the origins and history of the musical evolution you can really be left wondering --how can so many cultural influences be present in Italian regional music?  As an American you might say it's Italian music--but as you delve further into the film you meet other home grown artists, who tell their stories how Neapolitan music influenced their particular styles, such as famous Italian Neapolitan musician James Senese. Life and love are truly raw in Italy.. there is almost no filter to what people feel there-- so the title, 'Passione' is a great word for this film because it really describes the raw passion in Neapolitan music.  

As many of you know, I am Calabrese, but I love Neapolitan music. There is something so beautiful and deep in how these musicians deliver their songs that you want to hear more. Naples is unique, it has a long history of war, crime, and economic hardship, but like this famous quote -- "Vedi Napoli e poi muori!  (See Naples and then die)  --Really explains that Naples is so full of beauty that there is nothing else after that...  -- A little dramatic but true for many reasons. ) Throughout the film, John Turturro narrates and then participates in different musical scenes, which I found to be incredibly wonderful - not only did it show his diverse talents, but also gave the film a sense of raw musicality.

Overall, a fantastic film directed by Italian American actor John Turturro, you have to watch it for yourself and it's definitely an educational film even if your origins are not from Naples. Italy is one big history book, Naples is a very important chapter. This film was well done and I was left feeling that I learned more about Naples it's people, music and regional culture. 

Visit John Turturro's 'Passione' site for more information and how to order the film on iTunes, Amazon, etc..
http://www.passionefilm.com









 

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ITALIAN MUSICAL ENCHANTER VINICIO CAPOSSELA RETURNS TO NORTH AMERICA

Italy’s award-winning avant singer-songwriter Vinicio Capossela brings his renown musical side show to North America for a coast to coast string of concert offerings in March 2010. First pitching their tent at New York City’s (Le) Poisson Rouge on March 6, the Capossela musical circus then heads north to Canada to Montreal and Toronto on March 8 and 9, before going west for three back-to-back debuts in Chicago (March 10), San Francisco (March 12), and finally wrapping at Los Angeles’ El Rey Theater on March 13. No stranger to North American audiences, “theatrical underground visionary” Capossela’s 2007 debut concert dates in the US and Canada were completely sold-out and his showcase performances at the 2008 editions of GlobalFEST in New York City and SXSW in Austin, Texas were met with critical acclaim.





VINICIO CAPOSSELA MARCH 2010 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR:

Friday, March 5, 2010
(Le) Poisson Rouge, New York, NY
158 Bleeker St (@ Thompson St)
Time: 7:30pm (Doors open @ 7:00PM)
Tickets: $25.00
Box Office: http://lepoissonrouge.com/events/view/1045
or 866 55 TICKETS or (212) 505-3474

Saturday, March 6, 2010
(Le) Poisson Rouge, New York, NY
158 Bleeker St (@ Thompson St)
Time: 7:30pm (Doors open @ 7:00PM)
Tickets: $25.00
Box Office: http://lepoissonrouge.com/events/view/786
or 866 55 TICKETS or (212) 505-3474

Monday, March 8, 2010
L'Astral (Maison du Festival Rio Tinto Alcan), Montreal (Quebec) CANADA
305 Ste. Catherine Street W.
Time: 8:00pm
Tickets: $14.50
Box Office: http://www.montrealjazzfest.com/program/concert.aspx?id=9529 or
(514) 288-8882

Tuesday, March 9, 2010
The Mod Club, Toronto (Ontario) CANADA
722 College Street
Time: 8:00pm
Tickets: $25 in advance / $30 at the doorBox Office: http://www.bandsintown.com/event/3331675-vinicio-capossela-toronto-canada-live-at-mod-club-theatre-on-march-09-2010 or (416) 588-4663

Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Lakeshore Theater, Chicago, IL
3175 N. Broadway (south east corner of Belmont/Broadway in East Lakeview)
Time: 8:00pm
Tickets: $25
Box Office:
http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=605905 or (773) 472-3492

Friday, March 12, 2010
Bimbo’s 365 Club, San Francisco, CA
1025 Columbus Avenue (at Chestnut Street)
Time: 9:00pm (Doors open @ 8:00pm)
Tickets: $25
Box Office: http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/2747 or
http://www.bimbos365club.com/bands.html or (415) 474-0365

Saturday, March 13, 2010
El Rey Theater, Los Angeles, CA
5515 Wilshire Blvd
Time: 8:00pm
Tickets: $25
Box Office: http://www.theelrey.com/view-details.php?id=473 or (323)
936-6400 Tweet

Award Winning Italian Musician, FRANCO BATTIATO To Make Rare New York City Appearance On Monday October 19, 2009 at (Le) Poisson Rouge.

Multi-talented Italian singer, songwriter and composer Franco Battiato will make his first New York concert appearance in 10 years on Monday October 19, 2009 at (Le) Poisson Rouge. The 68 year-old, Sicilian-born musician will draw from a stunning repertoire spanning four decades: From his seminal 1971 prog-rock release "Fetus" (re-released in 2006 with liner notes by friend and avant-rocker Jim O'Rourke) to 2008's "Fleurs 2" which features duets with New York's Antony Hegarty (Antony and the Johnsons) and fellow Catanian Carmen Consoli. Battiato will present an intimate in-the-round show accompanied by a 7 piece group which includes the noted Italian string quartet Il Nuovo Quartetto Italiano.

The award winning Franco Battiato is internationally regarded as one of the most original creators in Italian music from the 1970s to the present. Battiato's 1970s output embraced more electronic influences than his Italian prog-rock counterparts of the period such as PFM (Premiata Forneria Marconi) and found him opening European concerts for the likes of Brian Eno and Nico. Battiato's experiments in this arena culminated in 1978's "L'Egitto prima delle sabbie" (Egypt Before The Sands) which won a Stockhausen Prize for piano composition.

Franco Battiato's recorded career continued into the 2000's with a diverse range of collaborators including Simple Minds' Jim Kerr, Middle Eastern-Electronica pioneer Natacha Atlas and the great Argentine diva Mercedes Sosa. His body of recorded work consists of some 38 studio and live album releases around the world with compositions in Spanish, French, English, Arabic and Sicilian languages in addition to Italian. Battiato has also composed 3 operas as well as classical works for orchestra, ballet and film soundtracks.

Franco Battiato web site: http://www.battiato.it

Monday 10/19/09 (Le) Poisson Rouge, New York, NY
158 Bleeker St (@ Thompson St)
Concert starts @ 10:00PM (Doors open @ 9:30PM)
Tickets: $25.00 in advance / $30.00 day of show
Info.: http://lepoissonrouge.com/ or (212) 505-3474
Tickets: http://lepoissonrouge.com/events/view/557 or 866 55 TICKETS Tweet

Chris Botti -- An Amazing Jazz Musician.

Chris Botti is a one of a kind, best selling jazz musician, who delivers amazing and unforgettable music through his extraordinary talent on trumpet. His most recent album release, called "Italia," is full of romantically inspired music that combines emotions and gorgeous musical arrangements. If you preview his music, its just so beautiful. Chris Botti was trained under the best musicians and performed with top singers such as, Andrea Bocelli. Chris Botti is American but descends from an Italian background, which also inspired his new album, "Italia. "You can actually catch a Chris Botti concert this December in New York. Check his tour schedule for specifics & dates.

To hear more about Chris Botti and his beautiful musical talents, go to :

http://www.chrisbotti.com/

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Italian Singer, Giada Valenti

Brace yourselves for the beautiful and unforgettable singing talent of Giada Valenti. She's been in the United States since 2004, where she's been working hard on recording and releasing her music here in America.

Let me just say, Giada Valenti is by far one of the best Italian singers and songwriters of our time. Her style of singing and presence is absolutely stellar and just amazing to listen to.
She just released her new album this October 2008, called, "And I Love You So. "

Visit her site for details and to preview her music. She's scheduled to make several appearances for October and November including an appearance on the local radio show, "The Tony Mangia Show," based out of Wayne, NJ on WP 88.7 FM

http://www.giadavalenti.tv/bio.htm Tweet