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Nicola Sergio Trio - Symbols

Nicola Sergio Trio -|- Symbols – [Challenge Records, 2010]

Pianist/composer/arranger Nicola Sergio is a laureate of Economics, and possesses a diploma in Classical Piano, Jazz Piano and Pedagogy from the Conservatory of Perugia (Italy). He also completed the “Prix Jazz” at the CNR in Paris, the city in which he has resided since 2008. From an early age, the italian musician’s talents were evident, helping him to earn various mentions of honor at numerous competitions and classical music festivals for young performers.

Between 2004 and 2007 he played in a variety of groups on the jazz scene – from the trio, progressing from standards towards an ever greater interest in composition which culminated in the realization of a repertory comprised completely of original compositions – to quartet, quintet, sextet, cuban music ensembles – groups with which he performed on numerous festivals in Italy, France and Sweden. As well as his activities on the jazz circuit, he became involved in projects of related genres, such as chamber music, film and theatre scores and big band directing.

Currently, he is leader of a Paris-based trio bearing his own name which includes two special guests on saxophone: New Yorker Michael Rosen and Argentine Javier Girotto. With this project he recorded the CD entitled “SYMBOLS”, for independent label Challenge Records International, with which he signed an artist’s contract. The particular characteristic of the Nicola Sergio Trio can be found in its conceptual framework: the fundamental idea is that of developing a way of interpreting jazz which is not limited to the passive acceptance of any one role model.

Rather, the modus operandi of the project is to explore modernism and multiculturalism. The first part of this explorative process consists of the use of non-traditional structures and harmonic progressions. The multicultural element arises from the fact that the creative influences from which the themes find their roots are not limited to any one region, culture, style or epoch (“Children’s Circle”, for instance is dedicated to Debussy while “Violino Gitano” is influenced by Balcan music). Furthermore, his music can, at times be inspired by historic events (“Edessa”, for instance, is based on the epic battles between the crusaders and the turks), or by characters from literature (“Mr. Hyde”), by a painting or landscape (“Un Quadro” and “Scilla”), or, yet again, by a humorous image (“Il Pugile Frank Zopp”, story of a limping boxer who wishes to challenge the great boxing champions), or even by a fantastical/fable-like idea (“Il Labirinto delle fate”).

His compositions have already generated interest at many radio stations in France as well as in Italy: Radio France Musique, Radio France Bleu, Radio Campus Paris, Radio King Internationl, Radio Phonica, Teleradiostereo. In addition, Nicola recently recorded a documentary and a CD in quartet as pianist/arranger/composer for the project entitled “CILEA MON AMOUR”, a re-visitation in the jazz style of the principal operas by composer Francesco Cilea, for the new label Nau Records.

Original Release Date: January 4, 2010

..:: Source: Pulpstudio.info ::..