On the occasion of the Italian National Day, 2nd June, Festa della Repubblica, the Consulate General of Italy for Scotland and Northern Ireland is organizing a reception on Wednesday, 5th June at 7:00 pm at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, 9 Queen Street, Edinburgh.
The Italian Institute of Culture in Edinburgh is pleased to host a music performance with Francesco Cafiso and Mauro Schiavone to mark the occasion.
From the opening to the final note played by Francesco Cafiso and Mauro Schiavone, a deep connection becomes apparent. Creativity, emotions, and artistic brilliance naturally flow from two souls that understand each other perfectly. The Duo’s repertoire features a selection of musical passages from Cafiso’s album “3.” Cafiso, with his warm and lyrical sound, deconstructs the melody of the pieces, crafting solos that are extraordinary in originality and creativity. Schiavone creates on his piano melodic lines supported by a complex harmonic and rhythmic structure, all the while including his own solos. The result is a high-level dialogue between two great artists, affirming the vitality and prestige of Italian jazz.
Francesco Cafiso is a saxophonist and composer born in Vittoria in 1989. A pivotal moment in his career came in July 2002 when he met Wynton Marsalis. Impressed by Francesco’s musical talents, Marsalis invited him to join his European tour. Since then, Francesco has won several prestigious awards and performed at major jazz festivals, theatres, and jazz clubs worldwide. In 2009, he played in Washington, DC, during the celebrations honouring President Barack Obama and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In 2014 he received the “Grand Award of Merit” from the American Society of the Italian Legions of Merit for his contributions to the dissemination of jazz worldwide, representing Sicilian musicians. In 2016, he established his own record label, “EFLAT Records.” In 2022, the Italian President Sergio Mattarella awarded him the title of Knight of the Order “Al Merito della Repubblica Italiana.” He is also the Artistic Director of the “Vittoria Jazz Festival” in his hometown.
Mauro Schiavone is a pianist and composer born in Palermo in 1975. He graduated in composition from the “A. Scontrino” Conservatory in Trapani and in piano from the “V. Bellini” Conservatory in Palermo with top honours. He has received numerous awards and won many piano competitions. During his academic music studies, he developed an interest in other forms of musical expression, such as jazz and experimental music. He has performed as a sideman in various musical settings and jazz festivals worldwide. Schiavone has released several albums as a leader and has a significant collaboration with Francesco Cafiso, for whom he arranged two orchestral works involving the prestigious London Symphony Orchestra. He is currently dedicated to concert performances, composition, arranging for various instruments, and teaching at the Conservatory of Music in Palermo.
BY INVITATION ONLY.
