Francesco Branciamore

DRUMMER / PIANIST / COMPOSER / ARRANGER


© Daliffi Branciamore


Sicilian composer/drummer/pianist Francesco Branciamore (° Siracusa, 03/03/1956) studied with Bruno 'Tawny' Biriaco, Andrea Centazzo, Pierre Favre, and Tony Oxley.

Since 1979 he’s active at jazz stages all over the world. In 1986 he participated in the Ray Mantilla Percusion Unit. In 1987 he’s playing at the LP from Italian singer Carlo Muratori “Afrodite” (RCA). The following year he released his first quartet record “Flash in Four” (Splasc(h) Records) with Carlo Actis Dato as a special guest.

In 1990 he started the December Thirty Jazz Trio with pianist Giorgio Occhipinti and double bassist Giuseppe Guarrella. They released their first CD “The Street One Year After” (Splas(h) Records) in 1991, followed by “Concert For Ibla” (Splas(h) Records) that same year with Pino Minafra as a special guest. In 1992 they recorded “The New Street in Old City” (CMC Records) and appear at the “Sicilian Jazz Collection – volume 1” (Splas(h) Records).

In 1995 Francesco participated in the live recording for CMC Records from the Giuseppe Guarrella Project CD “Live at Festival Ibleo Jazz”. In 1996 he’s at the CD “Pancali” (Aleph Records) from saxophone player Carlo Cattano.

In 1997 Caligola Records released his solo project (electronics and percussion) “Meloritmoarmonica”. A year later Pentaflowers Records (in association with RAI Trade) produced his “Nomade Quartetto” CD. In 2000 “Improvisations of the Four Seasons”, his CD with Trade d’Union – the late Paul Rutherford (trombone), Michel Godard (tuba, serpent) and Guido Mazon (trumpet) – came out on Caligola Records.

That same year Jazz’halo released the second CD of the Giorgio Occhipinti Hereo Nonetto. The same label also produced “Free for Three” (December Thirty Jazz Trio) and “Francesco Branciamore Perfect Quartet”.

In the past years he collaborated with Lee Konitz, Evan Parker, Barre Philips, Keith Tippett, Jean-Marc Montera, Wim Mertens, Arkady Shilkloper, Enrico Rava, Gianluigi Trovesi, Paolo Fresu, Gianni Gebbia, Giancarlo Schiaffini, Salvatore Bonafede, Vinny Golia, a.m.o. …

Currently Francesco Branciamore is teaching analysis of compositional forms and arrangements of jazz technique and jazz composition at the Conservatory "N. Piccinni" of Bari (for the Biennium of Jazz) and Jazz drum & percussions in Venice.


© G. Abbate



THE CROSSOVER ENSEMBLE


© Walter Silvestrini


In 2014 this project was dedicated to the music of the legendary jazz pianist Bill Evans. It's performed by his Crossover Ensemble (flute, clarinet, violin, cello, double bass, piano) and entitled "Remembering B.E." After analyzing the different influences of the great pianist (a.o. Chopin, Ravel, Debussy, Satie), he worked out a chamber music sound that is highlighting the various nuances of Bill Evans' rich musical heritage. His Crossover Ensemble brings exciting though intimate music.

The last project experimenting with Bill Evans music dates from 20 years ago: Kronos Quartet with Eddie Gomez.




SUMMER'S END TRIO


© Francesco Branciamore


Summer’s End Trio
was formed in the summer of 2012, in Siracusa, Italy, after a meeting between the pianist Fabio Puglisi, drummer Francesco Branciamore, and double bass player Giuseppe Guarrella.

The three offer some brand new compositions from Puglisi, who is already well known in the international music scene for his side project Soul Basement. His jazz is constantly looking at the past, with its strong roots in the gospel tradition, while moving in today’s world at the same time, filled with groovy hip hop moods, and a fresh urban flavor.

Branciamore and Guarrella, leading exponents of Italian jazz, support the colorful piano drawings with perfect rhythmic constructions enhancing their deepness.

The debut album from Summer’s End Trio “Day After Day” was released by Alessa Records (Austria) in 2014.



WATER MUSIC
2014


© Walter Silvestrini

Forme di relazione e Jazz. L'arte visiva e la ricerca musicale di FRANCESCO BRANCIAMORE di Giuseppe Carrubba


ELIO AMATO / FRANCESCO BRANCIAMORE - TWO FOR THREE


© Francesco Branciamore


In 2015 Francesco Branciamore formed a duo with long time companion trombone player Elio Amato (Siracusa, 1961). Both play the piano as well as their proper instruments. ACK Records released their CD "Two For Three".



DECEMBER THIRTY JAZZ TRIO


© December Thirty Jazz Trio


The December Thirty Jazz Trio started in 1988 as a duo (Occhipinti / Guarrella). Early 1989 drummer Francesco Branciamore joined Giorgio Occhipinti (piano) and Giuseppe Guarrella (double bass). From 1989 to 1991 the group performed in various Italian jazz clubs. In October 1989 they were touring with Lee Konitz, and played at festivals in Catania (Brass Group) and Salerno (Campania Jazz festival).

In 1991 their first CD "The Street One Year After" was released on Splasch Records. Meanwhile the trio collaborated with artists of different musical styles: Paolo Fresu, Flavio Boltro, Pino Minafra, Eugenio Colombo. Still in 1991 they recorded a second CD "Concert For Ibla". It’s a recording from the concert at the Checco Durante Theatre in the beautiful baroque quarter of Ragusa. Special guest was Pino Minafra.

In 1993 you can find the trio at two CD’s, with the composition “Via Blond” on "Sicilian Jazz Collection Vol.1" (Splasch Records) and "The New Street In Old City" (Cmc Records), their third album.

In 1993 the December Thirty Jazz Trio played at the Festival Ibleo del Jazz in Ragusa Ibla. That year was a key moment for the members of the trio. In fact, while in the previous period the trio had the possibility to work out a new sound and its own artistic thought, from 1993 on they could develop different ideas and projects. Hence the birth of new groups with Occhipinti, Guarrella and Branciamore as leaders and composers.

Giorgio participated in the Pino Minafra Quintet, Colombo/Occhipinti/Guarrella/Branciamore (at the Catania Jazz Festival), there was the Triple project of Occhipinti/Guarrella/Colombo (performing at the festivals of S. Giovanni Rotondo "Made in Italy", Ruvo di Puglia "Talos Festival", Ragusa Ibla "Festival Ibleo del Jazz"), Francesco Branciamore solo (he played at the Festival Ibleo del Jazz, and Radiotre Suite), the Giuseppe Guarrella Sicilian Quartet with Gianni Gebbia Giorgio Occhipinti and Vittorio Villa, the Giorgio Occhipinti Hereo Nonetto and the Hereo Ensemble with 18 members (a.o. Evan Parker, Jean-Marc Monterà, Barre Phillips, two lyric singers and an actor, Francesco Branciamore Trait d’Union with Guido Mazzon, Paul Rutherford and Michel Godard (playing at the Ibleo del Jazz festival and Siena Jazz), the Francesco Branciamore Perfect Quartet (festival Jazz!Brugge 2002 and CD for Jazz’halo), Francesco Branciamore Solo Performance for live electronics and drum set "Fireworks 2162002" (festival for contemporary Music of Mestre 2002), Giorgio Occhipinti and Giuseppe Guarrella "Tribù" with Arkady Schilkloper, Paul Rutherford, Michel Godard, Myriam Palma, Maurizio Maiorana, Francesco Branciamore, Antonio Moncada, The European Duo (Giorgio Occhipinti with Joëlle Léandre) played at the festivals Ibleo del Jazz, Jazz’halo Music Days and Jazz!Brugge) and the duo Occhipinti-Monterà (festival "Border Line" in Quarrata - Pistoia), Giorgio Occhipinti Global Music Nonetto ( festival MusiconMusic Vienna - 2001 and festival Jazz à Luz 2002; CD "Histoire” for the German label Between The Lines), Giorgio Occhipinti Dodici Mottetti for alto sax, strings sextet and reciting voice and all the works of Occhipinti for strings.

In September 2001 the trio played at the Jazz’halo Music Days in Brussels, Mons and Brugge (Belgium). Jean-Marc Foussat recorded these concerts. A selection was released at "Free For 3" (Jazz’halo label). In October 2002 the trio invited Vinny Golia as special guest for their concert at the Extramoenia Festival in Noto (Sicily).


Carlo Muratori – “Afrodite”
RCA 1987

Line up:

Carlo Muratori, guitar/vocals
Antonio Canino, piano/ arrangement
Francesco Branciamore, drums/ arrangement
Fabiana Atanasio, vocals

Recorded 01/1987 at PDRi Catania

Tracklist

1. 'N Celu
2. Un Seculu Li Pari
3. Leru Leru
4. Dou Mazzi Di Ciuri
5. Scusati Amici
6. Annuzza Bedda
7. Signuruzzu Faciti Bon Tempu
8. Fantasia Popolare N.1
9. Nica...Sai...Dumani



Francesco Branciamore Quartet - “Flash In Four”
Splasc(h) Records 1988

Line up:

Carlo Actis Dato, tenor sax/baritone sax
Piero Ponzo, alt sax/tenor sax/baritone sax
Marco Marzola, bass
Francesco Branciamore, drums/percussion

Tracklist

A1. Flash In Four
A2. Track One
B1. Track Two
B2. Marlin Blues
B3. Under The Sea



December Thirty Jazz Trio - “The Street One Year After”
Splasc(h) Records 1991

Line up:

Giorgio Occhipinti, piano
Giuseppe Guarrella, double bass
Francesco Branciamore, drums/percussion

Tracklist

1. Francesco Portrait's (G. Occhipinti)
2. For Dave (G. Guarrella)
3. G. & G. (F. Branciamore)
4. The Sea (G. Occhipinti)
5.The Street (G. Occhipinti)
6. Nothing Time-Table, Giuseppe! (G. Occhipinti)
7. Annapiero (G. Guarrella)



December Thirty Jazz Trio feat. Pino Minafra - “Concert For Ibla”
Splasc(h) Records 1991

Line up:

Pino Minafra, trumpet/flugelhorn
Giorgio Occhipinti, piano
Giuseppe Guarrella, double bass
Francesco Branciamore, drums/percussion

Tracklist

1. Intro Ibleo (G. Occhipinti, G. Guarrella)
2. Thing (F. Branciamore)
3. Midnight Forever (G. Occhipinti)
4. Lacyngus (F. Branciamore)
5. Zagara (G. Occhipinti)



December Thirty Jazz Trio - “The New Street In Old City”
CMC Records 1992

Line up:

Giorgio Occhipinti, piano
Giuseppe Guarrella, double bass
Francesco Branciamore, drums/percussion

Tracklist

1. In The Long Trip Of Our Search
2. La Sosta
3. Entering With The Melody Into The Rythm
4. To Janina Davidovic
5. Lampadina
6. Empty Reel
7. The New Street In Old City



Various Artists - “Sicilian Jazz Collection Volume 1”
Splasc(h) Records 1992

Line up:

Giorgio Occhipinti, piano
Giuseppe Guarrella, double bass
Francesco Branciamore, drums/percussion

Tracklist

2. December Thirty Jazz Trio - Via Blond



Giuseppe Guarrella Project - “Live at Festival Ibleo del Jazz”
CMC Records 1995

Line up:

Gianni Gebbia, alt sax/soprano sax/percussion (tracks: 1 to 3)
Carlo Actis Dato, bass clarinet (tracks: 4, 5)
Giovanni Macciocu, cello (tracks: 4, 5)
Enrico Fazio (tracks: 4, 5), Giuseppe Guarrella, double bass
Vincenzo Mazzone, drums/percussion (tracks: 4, 5)
Vittorio Villa, drums/percussion/didgeridoo/electronics [Live] (tracks: 1 to 3)
Alberto Mandarini, flugelhorn (tracks: 4, 5)
Eugenio Colombo, flute/percussion [Sicilian] (tracks: 4, 5)
Antonio Moncada, percussion (tracks: 4, 5)
Francesco Branciamore, percussion/electronics [Live] (tracks: 4, 5)
Giorgio Occhipinti, percussion/pipe [pipes] (tracks: 1 to 3)
Giorgio Occhipinti, piano
Stefano Maltese, soprano sax (tracks: 4, 5)
Lauro Rossi, trombone (tracks: 4, 5)
Pino Minafra, trumpet (tracks: 4, 5)
Renato Geremia, violin (tracks: 4, 5)
Gioconda Cilio, voice (tracks: 4, 5)

Notes

Tracks 1 to 3 recorded live in Ragusa Ibla, 2° Festival Ibleo del Jazz, on Oct. 13, 1994
Tracks 4, 5 recorded live in Ragusa Ibla, 1° Festival Ibleo del Jazz, on Oct. 15, 1993

Tracklist

1. Giuseppe Guarrella Sicilian 4tet: Bonzo/Il Sacerdote
2. Giuseppe Guarrella Sicilian 4tet: Scirocco
3. Giuseppe Guarrella Sicilian 4tet: Sound X/Coriani Gang
4. Giuseppe Guarrella Progetto Ibleo: Siciliana
5. Giuseppe Guarrella Progetto Ibleo: Siciliana (Ripresa)



Carlo Cattano - “Pancali”
Aleph Records 1996

Line up:

Carlo Cattano, saxes/flute/marranzano
Rosalba Bentivoglio, vocals
Camillo Balcone, piano
Filippo Di Pietro, double bass
Enzo Augello, drums
Francesco Branciamore, percussion (on following tracks: "Pubere", "Pancali" and "Dream"



Francesco Branciamore - “Meloritmoarmonico”
Caligola Records 1997

Line up:
Francesco Branciamore, drums, percussion, piano, keyboards, electronics [Live]

Note
Recorded and mixed in March 1995 at Hendrix Studio, Koper Radio, Slovenia

Tracklist

1. Ritmeni
2. Apple Tune
3. Alla Corte De Federico
4. Iter Spei
5. Duet
6. Cozy-Mood
7. Palomar
8. Ethnogeo
9. Sljivovica
10. Enfant De Guerre



Francesco Branciamore Quartetto - “Nomade Quartetto”
Pentaflowers Records & RAI Trade 1998

Line up:

David Boato, trumpet
Claudio Cusmano, guitar
Nello Toscano, bass
Francesco Branciamore, drums/percussion



Francesco Branciamore Trade D’Union - “Improvisation of the four seasons”
Caligola Records 2000

Line up:

Francesco Branciamore, drums/compositions
Paul Rutherford, trombone
Guido Mazzon, trumpet
Michel Godard, tuba/serpent

Note
Recorded live at the Siena Jazz Festival, Italy, in July 1997

Tracklist

1. Winter
2. Spring
3. Summer
4. Autumn



Giorgio Occhipinti Hereo Nonetto & Cello Sequences

"Global Music And Circular Thought, Suite In Eight Movements: Dances And Sequences For Cellos And Nonet"
Jazz’halo 2000

Line up:

GIORGIO OCCHIPINTI HEREO NONETTO

Giorgio Occhipinti, piano/conductor
Tiziana Cavaleri, cello
Paolo Botti, viola
Giuseppe Guarrella, double bass
Carlo Actis Dato, bass clarinet
Lauro Rossi, trombone
Maurizio Maiorana, voice/clarinet
Luca Calabrese, trumpet/flugelhorn
Francesco Branciamore, drums/kettledrums

GIORGIO OCCHIPINTI CELLOS SEQUENCES

Tiziana Cavaleri, cello (left channel)
Vito Amatulli, cello (right channel)

Note:
recorded at G.C.C.R. Studio, Rosolini (SR, Italy), March 15, 16, 24, 25 and 26, 2000 by Marcello Prati

Tracklist

1. Cellos n° 2 (2000)
2. Allegro Ibleo Con Ninna Nanna (1997)
3. Cellos n° 1 (1999)
4. Canone (1998)
5. Cellos n° 3 (2000)
6. Danza Del Canto Supremo (1998)
7. Cellos n° 4 (2000)
8. La Genesi Del Kaos (1993)



Francesco Branciamore - “Perfect Quartet”
Jazz’halo 2002

Line up:

Gaetano Cristofaro, saxes/clarinet
Elio Amato
, trombone/flugelhorn
Giuseppe Guarrella
, double bass
Francesco Branciamore
, drums/compositions

Note:
recorded and mixed at SONORIA Recording Studio, Scordia (Catania/Italia) December 29th and 30th, 2001 by Vincenzo Cavalli

Tracklist

1. Dryshot
2. Cristoff
3. Hurry
4. Tiptoe
5. Monky
6. Magic Moment
7. Double Phase



December Thirty Jazz Trio - “Free For 3”
Jazz’halo 2002

Line up:

Giorgio Occhipinti, piano
Giuseppe Guarrella, double bass
Francesco Branciamore, drums

Note:
recorded at De Werf Brugge on September 15, 2001, at Auditorium Abdel Dubois Mons on September 13, 2001
 and at La Tentation Brussels on September 12, 2001 by Jean-Marc Foussat

Tracklist

DE WERF SUITE
Bruggerie To De Werf
Before The New Street
The New Street In Old City

MONS INSPIRATIONS
Ricercare Con Motto
To Janina Davidovic
Novelle Siciliana Per Piano Forte Solo In Forma Di Ballata

LA TENTATION SUITE
Basic Music
Hommage
Pyramides



Francesco Branciamore Perfect Quartet - “Jumping”
Splasc(h) Records 2005

Line up:

Gaetano Cristofaro, saxes/clarinet
Elio Amato, trombone/flugelhorn
Giuseppe Guarrella, double bass
Francesco Branciamore, drums/compositions

Note:
recorded at Studio "Sala A", RAI, Roma by  Maria Rita Franceschini, Roberto Rossi and Salvatore Bellistri

Tracklist

1. File Phase For 6 Voices
2. Jumping
3. Ghorfas
4. Lament
5. Around World
6. Tarakaziz
7. Double Phase



Queen Mary Quartet - "Present"
self produced CD of the singer Carmen Spatafora - probably 2007

Line up:

Carmen Spatafora voice
Maurizio Diara guitar
Filippo Di Pietro bass
Francesco Branciamore drums

Tracklist

1. Senza Fine
2. Giant Steps
3. Corcovado
4. La canzome di Marinella
5. O que sera
6. Summertime
7. Bewitched
8. Donna Lee-Continuom
9. Ylenia Waltz
10. Caravan



“Sicilian Jazz Collection 2007”
Asmj Records 2007

with Queen Mary Quartet



Francesco Branciamore - “Trium"
Caligola Records 2007

Line up:

Francesco Branciamore, drums
Jean Luc Cappozzo, trumpet/flugelhorn
Michel Godard, tuba/serpent

Note:
Recorded at "Rexy Recording Studio New York", St.Pier Des Corps, France, on November 28th and 29th, 2005

Tracklist

1. Trium I
2. Monday 3
3. Monday 1
4. Monday 2
5. Monday 4
6. Monday 5
7. Trium II
8. Monday 7
9. Monday 8
10. Monday 9
11. Monday 10
12. Monday 11
13. Trium III
14. Monday 14
15. Tuesday 2
16. Tuesday 3
17. Monday 13



Francesco Branciamore - “ANTHEM”
ACP Records 2008

Line up:

Francesco Branciamore, drums/percussion

note:
recorded and mixed at Sonoria Recording Studio, Scordia (Catania) Italy on July 2007

Tracklist

1. Eclissi
2. Anthem
3. Prisoners
4. Vis Visus
5. The Prayer
6. Waiting A New Day
7. Piano Investigations



Claudio Giglio Quartet - “Scenes In The Night”
Splasc(h) Records 2009

Line up:

Claudio Giglio, saxes/flute
Marco Genovese, piano
Alex Vicard, double bass
Francesco Branciamore, drums

Tracklist

1. City Lights
2. Under The Rain
3. Estrellas
4. Scenes In The Night
5. China Blue
6. Returning For Love
7. Spiritual
8. Time One
9. Summertimes
10. Oasi



Francesco Branciamore Perfect Quintet - “Keep Up The Dialogue”
Caligola Records 2010

Line up:

Gaetano Cristofaro, soprano saxophone/tenor saxophone/clarinet
Elio Amato, trombone/flugelhorn
Giorgio Occhipinti, piano
Giuseppe Guarrella, double bass
Francesco Branciamore, drums

Note:
Recorded and mixed at Sonoria Recording Studio, Scordia (Catania), Italy, on June 19 and 21, 2007

Tracklist

1. Going
2. Keep Up The Dialogue
3. Trium
4. Overlapped



Francesco Branciamore - “Drums: Italy In Jazz”
ACK Records 2011

Line up:

Francesco Branciamore, Perfect Quartet

Note:

digital compilation


Tracklist

1. Waiting a New Day
2. Anthem
3. Vis Visus
4. Hurry
5. Prisoners
6. Cristoff
7. The Prayer
8. Piano Investigations
9. Eclissi
10. Lament
11. Dryshot
12. Around World
13. Tiptoe
14. Double Phase
15. Jumping
16. Double Phase
17. Ghorfas
18. Monky
19. File Phase for 6 Voices
20. Tarakaziz
21. Magic Moment



Summer's End Trio - "Day After Day"
Alessa Records 2014

Line up:

Fabio Puglisi, piano
Francesco Branciamore, drums
Giuseppe Guarrella, double bass

Tracklist

1. The Path
2. Afternoon View From the Epic
3. Hyoshi
4. Ocean Love
5. Women Hold Up Half The Sky
6. Spring Street
7. April And Silence



As I heard the recordings of the Summer´s End Trio for the first time, I thought to myself, what a great synthesis between an energetic and dynamic pianist who expresses himself not in a typical jazz language, and a very jazzy bassist and drummer.

And as I read that those three are from Sicily/Italy, all this images, which are so typical for this island came up, Greek temples, the volcano Etna, Erice - this beautiful village on top of a hill in the West with a great view on Trapani, Taormina in the East, and, and, and…..

Enjoy the music and go on this musical trip with the Summer's End Trio through this wonderful island.

Alessa Records



Francesco Branciamore Crossover Ensemble ‎– "Remembering B.E. (A Tribute To Bill Evans)"
Caligola 2014

Line up:

Susy Kimbell, cello
Gaetano Cristofaro, clarinet
Giuseppe Guarrella, double bass
Carmelo Aglieco, flute
Marina Gallo, piano
Christian Bianca, violin
Francesco Branciamore
, arranger/conductor

Note:
Recorded and mixed by Vincenzo Cavalli on 1st and 3rd September 2013, at Sonoria Recording Studio, Scordia, Catania

Tracklist

1 Prologue (Francesco Branciamore)
2 Autumn Leaves (Joseph Kosma)
3 How My Heart Sings (Earl Zindars)
4 Minority (Gigi Grice)
5 My Foolish Heart (Victor Young)
6 Oleo (Sonny Rollins)
7 Peace Piece (Bill Evans)
8 Peau Douce (Steve Swallow)
9 Peri's Scope (Bill Evans)
10 Quiet Now (Denny Zeitlin)
11 Two Lonely People (Bill Evans)
12 Time Remembered (Bill Evans)
13 Waltz For Debby (Bill Evans)
14 Remembering B.E. (Francesco Branciamore)
15 Epilogue (Bill Evans)

"REMEMBERING B.E." (2014) tribute to the great jazz pianist Bill Evans Music composed, arranged and directed by FRANCESCO BRANCIAMORE performed by the formation of classical music CROSSOVER ENSEMBLE (Carmelo Aglieco flute, Gaetano Cristofaro clarinet, Christian Bianca violin, Susy Kimbell cello, Marina Gallo piano, Giuseppe Guarrella double bass).

The project dedicated to the music of jazz pianist Bill Evans, created by the musician Francesco Branciamore for classic sextet (flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, bass), entitled "Remembering BE", inspired by a careful analysis of everything that has been bestowed the great pianist. To date, no group and no training of this kind has ever been created by a staff like the one that will perform the music of American musician. The last experiment was done by the Kronos Quartet with Eddie Gomes about 20 years ago.

For this project, the composer Francesco Branciamore worked on the classic Bill Evans enhancing its influences from pianists such as Chopin, Ravel, Debussy and Satie, highlighting the various nuances, which is why the sound of the sextet of chamber music he has chosen is entirely appropriate and original. The absence of improvised parts in the arrangements lend themselves to classical musicians of high profile.

The songs orchestrated and arranged for the ensemble are compositions by Bill Evans as well known jazz standards he frequently played in his hands and became real compositions in his repertoire as well as two new songs that Francesco Branciamore dedicated to him.

The part of the floor is entirely taken from original transcriptions of Bill Evans, all that is superimposed on this (the parts for the other five instruments) was composed and arranged specifically for this project.






Francesco Branciamore - 8 Compositions x String Quintet (Music for Relaxing)

Associazione Culturale Koinè, 2015


Tracklist


1. Allenrò
2. Cent'anni di diritto e lavoro
3. Dedicato a Maria
4. For Cello
5. Medea 1 Archi
6. Medea 2 Archi
7. Medea 3 Archi
8. No Man's Land Strings 5Tet



Rosalba Lazzarotto - “Quasimodale”
Associazione Double Rainbow 2015

Line up:

AVANTGARDE ORCHESTRA

Rosalba Lazzarotto, vocals/conductor/arranger
Samuele Garofoli, trumpet/flugelhorn
Carmelo Coglitore, soprano saxophone/bass clarinet
Carlo Cattano, flute
Giancarlo Mazzù, guitar
Luciano Troja, piano
Luca Aletta, accordeons
Alberto Amato, double bass
Francesco Branciamore, drums

Alessandro Quasimodo, voce recitante

Notes:
Inspired by the lyrical genious Salvatore Quasimodo
Recorded by Franz Minuta and Maurizio Bassetta at Presso Studio Tape, Catania, November 14, 2015

Tracklist

1. Isola Di Ulisse - Preludio
2. Ora Che Sale Il Giorno
3. Fresca Marina
4. Un Arco Aperto
5. Rifugio D'Uccelli Notturni
6. Isola Di Ulisse - Interludio
7. Isola
8. Impercettibile Il Tempo
9. Non Ho Perduto Nulla
10. Isola Di Ulisse






Francesco Branciamore & Elio Amato - "Two For Three"
ACK Records 2015

Line up:

Elio Amato: trombone, pianoforte
Francesco Branciamore: batteria, pianoforte

Tracklist

1. Jarret Fantasy
2. Evidence
3. Suddenly One Morning
4. Second Line
5. Les jardins d'hiver
6. Divertissement blues
7. Tears Inside
8. Cousin Mary

 


Scritto da Aldo Del Noce
Domenica 04 Ottobre 2015

Due veterani, ma nemmeno troppo stagionati, del jazz dell'isola a tre punte, cui non è mancato di cimentarsi su uno scenario almeno continentale, come testimoniato dagli intensi percorsi concertistici e dalle già numerose, rispettive prove discografiche e nel caso presente orientati ad affrontare una nucleare interazione a due, leggibile (e da vivere) quale momento di intima concentrazione e messa a nudo del talento.

Della loro vitalità concertistica si propone su disco una sintesi di poco inferiore ai quaranta minuti, ma che con sveltezza e "sonore" argomentazioni abborda una rinnovata via espressiva, sposando morfologie che, se non paleo-jazz, certamente risuonano impregnate dei decenni fondativi del genere (Divertissement Blues, Second Line), a sancire dinamicamente un rinnovato legame con «la radice del jazz di tradizione e alla cultura europea, con citazioni a figure iconoclaste quali Monk e Coleman» - non mancando, in Jarrett fantasy, un più aggiornato, e piuttosto letterale tributo alle più recenti, quanto sedimentate vedute.

Dal proprio elemento strumentale, i due s'incontrano anche alternandosi al pianoforte, offrendo in via originale un'alternanza idiomatica sulla tastiera: il trombone di tempra evocativa e severa è sostenuto dal pianoforte di Branciamore, impressionista e percussivo - come è poi nella natura sia dell'uomo che dello strumento - ma capace di grande slancio lirico come nell'appassionante Suddenly one morning (a propria firma); quest'ultimo del proprio elettivo strumento conferma la versatile padronanza e la conoscenza sfaccettata, spesso facendo dimenticare per le densità ritmiche i limiti della loro formazione "bass-less", incalzando talvolta il pianismo del partner, che vi si esplicita eloquente e scultoreo.

Dalla millenaria città di Archimede, geometrie, formule e logiche al servizio di una comunicativa vivace e di una musicalità argomentata da parte di sperimentati professionisti, convincenti nello spendersi su un terreno di gioco percorso dal doppio carattere del proprio duo, ludico e colto.

© http://www.jazzconvention.net/


RAI Galà Rossiniano Marzo 2018 © courtesy Francesco Branciamore

 



Francesco Branciamore - "Lisistrata Ensemble Compositions"
ACK Records 2016

Line up:

Francesco Branciamore, compositions

Tracklist

1. Lisistrata: musiche di scena
2. Lisistrata: coro vecchi
3. Lisistrata: coro vecchie
4. Lisistrata coro finale, Pt. 1
5. Lisistrata coro finale, Pt. 2
6. Texture
7. Tupan
8. Crossover
9. Jue de Roles
10. Just in 150 Bars
11. Soundscape



Giancarlo Mazzù / Luciano Troja / Francesco Branciamore - "Broad-Ways"
ACK Records 2017

Line up:

Giancarlo Mazzù, guitar
Luciano Troja, piano
Francesco Branciamore, drums

Tracklist

1. Begin the Beguine
2. Puttin’ on the Ritz
3. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes - Pert 1
4. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes - Part 2
5. Night and Day
6. I Concentrate on You
7. Something Gotta Give
8. Change Partners
9. Let’s Face the Music and Dance
10. The Way You Look Tonight
11. Cheek to Cheek
12. Dancing in the Dark
13. A Fine Romance
14. All of You



Francesco Branciamore - "Aspiciens Pulchritudinem"
Caligola Records 2019

"Caro Francesco,
Il tuo cd è bene arrivato e sono riuscito a sentirlo e ad apprezzarlo in uno dei pochi giorni passati in Sardegna.
Ti auguro tanto e che questo lavoro ti dia le soddisfazioni che meriti."
Paolo Fresu

"Ciao Francesco, si, è arrivato. Grazie per il bellissimo regalo! Un abbraccio"
Salatore Bonafede

"A me piace. Comunque quello che conta è il cuore. Io ti consiglio di continuare sulla strada del piano. Le idee ce le hai"
Michele Francesconi


"Più noto e affermato come interprete della batteria, strumento con il quale vanta collaborazioni internazionali importanti e numerosi album, Francesco Branciamore si presenta qui con un lavoro in solitudine al pianoforte, interamente basato su proprie composizioni.

Si tratta di un lavoro estremamente breve, poco più di venti minuti, così come brevi sono i nove brani in programma, che oscillano tra il minuto e quaranta e i tre minuti. Ed è giusto così, perché la sinteticità ben si adatta al clima lirico, sospeso e un po' sognante della musica, ispirata com'è da una frase di Charlie Haden riportata libretto che indica l'intenzione, con la musica, di evocare la bellezza e scacciare la tristezza.

La serie di miniature che Branciamore interpreta, infatti, nella loro immediatezza e semplicità richiamano una riflessiva serenità, una limpidezza d'animo, e lo fanno attraverso temi liricamente azzeccati, svolti con stilemi più prossimi alla musica contemporanea o al pop colto che non al jazz, del quale conserva tuttavia la libertà del fraseggio.

Così, in alcuni brani emergono stilemi minimalisti (il brano eponimo d'apertura), in altri narrazioni più articolate e aperte ("To Vincent"), o venate di malinconia ("Thinking To EST," dedicato al trio dello scomparso Esbjorn Svensson); sempre, comunque, con una solarità e una positiva leggerezza che viene esaltata dalle belle sonorità dello Steinway impiegato per la registrazione.

Un lavoro particolare, molto personale, gustoso e che potrà piacere a un ampio genere di ascoltatori."
 
NERI POLLASTRI, ALLABOUTJAZZ.COM, June 2, 2020
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/aspiciens-pulchritudinem-francesco-branciamore-caligola-records

 


Francesco Branciamore - Jazz!Brugge 2002 © Jos L. Knaepen




Francesco Branciamore - "Aspiciens Pulchritudinem"

Caligola Records 2022

Line up:

Francesco Branciamore, compositions/piano

Francesco Branciamore plays a Steinway & Sons piano, model D274.
Recorded and mixed on 13th and 14th November 2021
at La Gi.A.R.A. Musicale Studio, Modica (Ragusa), by Gianluca Abbate

Tracklist

1. Skies of Sea
2. New Directions
3. So Infinity
4. One More Please
5. Deep Inside
6. Sobral
7. A Prayer For Chick
8. Five Quarter of Moonlight
9. Soul Touch
10. 5.04.2020
11. Danzon
12. Remaining Time
13. No Man's Land
14. With Eyes on the Sky

 

Liner Notes:

Registrato tre anni dopo «Aspiciens Pulchritudinem», suo primo album di piano solo, «Skies of Sea» mette in mostra i rimarchevoli progressi compiuti in questo lasso di tempo dal musicista siracusano, sia per quel che concerne la tecnica strumentale che il linguaggio espressivo, sempre più maturo e personale. Dopo esser stato per almeno un trentennio fra i più apprezzati batteristi jazz italiani, Francesco Branciamore aveva ancor meglio messo in luce le sue qualità di compositore e arrangiatore in «Remembering B.E.», disco in cui non suona alcuno strumento ma rende omaggio a Bill Evans dirigendo un sestetto cameristico, e dimostra ora che l’inaspettata e coraggiosa prova pianistica del 2018 non è stata affatto una parentesi estemporanea nel suo percorso artistico. Lo fa con un secondo ed ancora più convincente album solitario, registrato nel medesimo studio e con lo stesso pianoforte. I due anni di forzata clausura per la pandemia gli hanno consentito di affinare ulteriormente la sua tecnica pianistica, grazie ad una costante pratica strumentale, ma anche di mettere a punto nuovi ed interessanti spunti musicali. «Skies of Sea» si presenta come una sorta di suite, divisa in quattordici brevi e pregnanti bozzetti pianistici di durata compresa fra i due ed i tre minuti e mezzo, capaci di toccare le atmosfere più diverse, dall’ipnotico e suggestivo brano che dà il titolo al disco al toccante e riuscito omaggio a Chick Corea di A Prayer for Chick. Queste quattordici preziose gemme confermano come la ricerca introspettiva e la riflessione continuino a rappresentare gli assi portanti della musica di Branciamore, cui il termine jazz sembra andare sempre più stretto. Difficile stilare una graduatoria, ma ci piace ricordare ancora l’intimo e meditativo Deep Inside, quasi un largo, così come la melodia cantabile di The Remaining Time o l’accorato lirismo di Soul Touch. L’incalzante incedere ritmico del finale With Eyes on the Sky sembra rappresentare sia il naturale sviluppo del brano iniziale che l’ideale chiusura di un album fortemente evocativo, che non sembra lasciar nulla al caso. 

© Claudio Donà


NL vertaling:

Opgenomen drie jaar na «Aspiciens Pulchritudinem», zijn eerste piano solo album, toont «Skies of Sea» de opmerkelijke vooruitgang die de Syracusaanse muzikant in deze periode heeft gemaakt, zowel op gebied van instrumentale techniek als in expressieve taal, die steeds volwassener en persoonlijker wordt.

Na minstens dertig jaar een van de meest populaire Italiaanse jazzdrummers te zijn geweest, had Francesco Branciamore zijn kwaliteiten als componist en arrangeur nog beter geuit met "Remembering B.E.", een plaat waarop hij geen enkel instrument bespeelt maar een eerbetoon brengt aan Bill Evans als dirigent van een kamersextet. Tevens toont hij nu aan dat het onverwachte en moedige pianospel van 2018 geenszins een geïmproviseerd tussendoortje was in zijn artistieke carrière.

Dat doet hij met een tweede en nog overtuigender solo-album, opgenomen in dezelfde studio en op dezelfde piano. De twee jaar van gedwongen opsluiting als gevolg van de pandemie stelde hem in staat zijn pianotechniek verder te verfijnen, dankzij constante instrumentale oefening, maar ook om nieuwe en interessante muzikale ideeën te ontwikkelen. "Skies of Sea" ziet eruit als een soort suite, verdeeld in veertien korte en indringende pianoschetsen van twee tot drie en een halve minuut. Hij slaagt erin om de meest uiteenlopende sferen te raken, van het hypnotiserende en suggestieve titelnummer naar het ontroerende en succesvolle eerbetoon aan Chick Corea van "A Prayer for Chick".

Deze veertien juweeltjes bevestigen hoe introspectief onderzoek en reflectie de hoekstenen blijven vormen van Branciamore's muziek. Het lijkt  er ook op dat de term 'jazz' hier steeds strikter genomen wordt. Het is moeilijk om een ​​ranglijst op te stellen, maar we herinneren ons toch graag het intieme en meditatieve "Deep Inside", bijna een largo, evenals de cantabile melodie van "The Remaining Time" of de oprechte lyriek van "Soul Touch". Het drukkende ritmische tempo van het "With Eyes on the Sky"-einde lijkt zowel de natuurlijke ontwikkeling van het openingsnummer te vertegenwoordigen als de ideale afsluiter van een zeer suggestief album, dat niets aan het toeval lijkt over te laten.

© Claudio Donà (vrije vertaling: Jos Demol)


E translation:

Recorded three years after «Aspiciens Pulchritudinem», his first piano solo album, «Skies of Sea» shows the remarkable progress that this musician from Syracuse has made in the meantime, both in the way he handles the instrument technically as in the expressivity of the language which gained in maturity and in personality.

After being one of the most popular Italian jazz drummers, Francesco Branciamore proved his quality as composer and arranger even better with “Remembering B.E.”, an album on which he does not play any instrument himself. It is an accolade to Bill Evans as conductor of a chamber sextet and shows at the same time that the unexpected and courageous piano playing was certainly not an improvised break in his artistic development.

He confirms that with a second and even more convincing solo album recorded in the same studio and on the same piano. The two years of confinement as a consequence of the pandemic allowed him to further polish his piano technique through continuous instrumental practice and to develop new and interesting musical ideas. “Skies of Sea” is a kind of suite split over fourteen short and poignant piano sketches of two to three and a halve minutes. He manages to reach all sorts of divergent moods, beginning with the hypnotic and suggestive first tune to the touching and successful tribute to Chick Corea and “A Prayer for Chick”.

These fourteen jewels confirm that introspective and reflective research continue to be the corner stones of Branciamore’s music. It seems that ‘jazz’ is taken here in the stricter sense. It is difficult to make a ranking but we like to refer to the intimate and meditative  “Deep Inside”, almost a largo, as well as the melodious “The Remaining Time” or the lyricism of “Soul Touch”. The tight rhythm of the “With Eyes on the Sky” final could represent  as well the natural development of the opening tune as well as the ideal closing of a very suggestive album where nothing is left to coincidence.

© Claudio Donà (translation: Emile Clemens) 

 

Il concerto del 29.12.2020 ore 21.00
in streaming al centro culturale
contemporanee Zoculture di Catania



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Mark Dresser (contrabass), Elio Amato (trombone,piano), Davide Barbarino (sax), Alessandro Vicard (contrabass, piano) Francesco Branciamore (drums) in Palazzolo Acreide (Siracusa, Sicily):

 


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"Jazz Piano Echoes"

25 Novembre 2022 - Ore 21:00
26 Novembre 2022 - Ore 21:00

"Jazz Piano Echoes", un evento unico, a Roma e non solo, che vedrà quattro pianisti esibirsi l'uno dopo l'altro in solo piano sul palco de "Il Cantiere". Quattro stili diversi, quattro personalità prorompenti del panorama jazz italiano e non solo.

Gli artisti saranno: Francesca Tandoi, Ettore Carucci, Donatello D'Attoma, Francesco Branciamore.

Una full immersion nel grande ed unico evento tra standards e original compositions.

Costo del biglietto: 10 euro

Il Cantiere
Via Gustavo Modena, 92, 00153 Roma RM
(Trastevere)

 

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fotografia © Ornella Fazzina


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Piano Jazz Echoes, 31 luglio 2020, Ore 21,00

Chiostro dei Cappuccini, Siracusa


Evento unico in Sicilia. Quattro pianisti in piano solo si avvicenderanno all’interno del suggestivo Chiostro dei Frati Cappuccini a Siracusa, già teatro di altri concerti nell’arco di questo luglio 2020.

L’evento è da considerare come unico concerto dove le performance dei quattro pianisti alterneranno campiture sonore diverse mettendo in evidenza il loro stile pianistico e la loro peculiarità compositiva.

Ognuno di loro, sia Elio Amato che Luciano Troja quanto Francesco Branciamore che Raffaele Genovese, sono leader di formazioni proprie e in questi ultimi anni hanno pubblicato importanti lavori  con note etichette discografiche  ricevendo apprezzamenti anche  dalla critica internazionale.

A tutto ciò si aggiunge la menzione di alcuni di loro su pubblicazioni importanti quali la Feltrinelli con il “Dizionario del jazz italiano” a cura di Flavio Caprera,   “Il Nuovo Jazz Italiano” Castelvecchi editore a cura di Vittorio Franchina, a cui siaggiunge la “Penguine Guide Book” nota guida internazionale del jazz.  Le loro biografie sono facilmente consultabili on line.

 

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23 novembre 2019 - 21.00: Solo piano all'Auditorium Rai Palermo

Francesco Branciamore si è affermato, nel corso degli ultimi anni, come uno dei più originali e preparati musicisti del pur variegato panorama jazzistico nazionale.

Non a caso il suo curriculum è ricco di prestigiosi riconoscimenti e di preziose collaborazioni con artisti di assoluto livello internazionale: Lee Konitz, Evan Parker, Barre Philips, Ray Mantilla, Keith Tippet, Pier Favre, Paul Rutherford, Michel Godard,  Enrico Rava, Gianluigi Trovesi, Enrico Intra, Eugenio Colombo, Paolo Fresu.

All'Auditorium Rai, sabato 23 novembre alle ore 21, il compositore, arrangiatore, pianista e batterista Branciamore si esibiste in un concerto solo piano per incantare il pubblico in sala.

Auditorium Rai Sicilia - Viale Strasburgo 19 - 90146 Palermo
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11 novembre 2019: Libreria Feltrinelli, Messina
    Presentation new book Paolo Fresu
    
Paolo will introduce the solo piano-CD "Francesco Branciamore - Aspiciens Pulchritudinem"

4 agosto 2019: Parco Letterario Quasimodo jazz festival (Roccalumera/Messina) 

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19.5.2019
QUASIMODALE ROSALBA LAZZAROTTO

Teatro Domenico Savio  
Via Lenzi, 24
98122 Messina (ME)

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18.5.2019
QUASIMODALE ROSALBA LAZZAROTTO

Auditorium Aretusa Palace Hotel
Corso Gelone, 45
96100 Siracusa (SR)


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