ItalianoMY CURRENT PROJECTS:
The Songbook Chronicles
The Songbook Chronicles is a concept project where I publish a song every 8 to 12 weeks: after a series of 4 songs a thematic EP is released, including those 4 songs and some acoustic versions. A total of 6 EPs will be released digitally and then a special triple vinyl will be printed, including all the material. This work is the result of various recording sessions that started in June 2016 and went on until June 2018 where, with a super rhythm section, we recorded 88 tracks live in the studio: some were complete songs, some are being reworked and completed.
These are the themes of the EPs, a metaphor of the developing of human qualities: 1 Intro 2 Loving 3 Connecting 4 Transmuting 5 Surrendering (currently in the process of releasing), 6 Outro.
The Blues Way
An immediate throwback to the realness and tradition of the electric Blues idiom of the 60s and the Rhythm & Blues golden age, The Blues Way is the project that gives the start to the journey with Balta Bordoy, both with duo and quartet performances. My vocals and piano playing and Balta’s raw and true guitar sound finally connected on our debut album Heads Up!, recently recorded with our quartet in Barcelona, consisting in 7 songs I wrote and 4 covers. The recording was mixed and mastered by the renowned producer/guitarist Kid Andersen and features special guests Vìctor Puertas on harmonica and Nil Mujal on tenor sax. Me and Balta originally met and started collaborating in Mallorca (Balta’s home) in 2016 and this project is the fruit of the seed that was planted on that magical island.
Big G & SirJo
Big G & SirJo is a mix of generations united by the groove. With Big G aka Luigi Arieta (drummer, singer, producer and MC, 24, resident in Sanremo) we decided to put together Funk, Rock, Italian songwriting and a touch of Hip Hop, creating what we like to call a Funk ‘n Roll experience . Having each projects and collaborations of our own, we wrote, arranged and produced each song of this project together, mixing Italian and English. We are currently self-producing their first album, Danger of electrocution, containing 10 original songs and a space tribute to Hendrix and we have our first concerts this summer.
Soulful Spaceship
A project that explores the world of Lo-fi, with slow tempos and electro atmospheres: melodies and lyrics that evoke distant times in the past and in the future, but which are at the same time rooted in the present. Synthesizers and arpeggiators mix with electric pianos, voice and acoustic instruments, giving life to a hybrid that I called Electro Lo-fi Soul.
COLLABORATIONS
SirJo Cocchi – Leadvox, Keys, MD
Pancho Ragonese – Keys & programming
Lorenzo Poli – El.bass, Giovanni Giorgi – Drums & live electronics
Isabella Casucci – Vocalist, Elisa Rosselli – Vocalist
Alex Usai – El. Guitar, Alessandro Diaferio – El & Ac.guitars
Pepe Ragonese – Trumpet , horn arrangements
Valentino Finoli – Sax & reeds
FOUNDA(C)TION
A creative unit of 10 musicians that blends soul with funk, jazz and rock. FOUNDATION: the foundation of this project are a handful of songs I wrote that were arranged with the contribution of this collective. The group is made up by some of the top players of the Italian music scene. ACTION: from these songs starts a journey that combines groove, known riffs (plus fresh new ones) and improvisation. The band has released two albums: As it used 2b (2010) and As it is (2017)
PEPE RAGONESE & THE MIGHTY GROOVIN’ STUFF
The Mighty Groovin’ Stuff is a project by composer/trumpet player Pepe Ragonese. It’s a tribute Jazz Funk with a modern take and vintage sounds, with song/anthems that morph into improvisations. The first album by the band has just been released .
Pepe Ragonese – Compositions, Arrangements, Trumpet, Backup vox & guitar
Pancho Ragonese – Wurlitzer piano, Synth bass
Alessandro Usai – Guitar &Backup vox
Martino Malacrida – Drums
Rudi Manzoli – Sax & Backup vox
SirJo Cocchi – Lead vox, Organ & Synth