Amedeo Ariano and his band present the innovative jazz album Afrodance
Amedeo Ariano, the internationally renowned drummer and percussionist, is back with his band to present their latest jazz album, Afrodance. This is Ariano’s third album as a band leader and it promises to be a unique and groundbreaking addition to his discography.
Ariano has always been known for his eclectic style and his ability to bring together talented musicians to create extraordinary music. Just like Art Blakey of the Jazz Messengers, Ariano has gathered around him a group of dear friends and exceptional musicians whom he has known and admired for years.
In an interview with ANSA, Ariano expressed his excitement about working with these incredible artists, saying, “I have simply brought together dear friends and great musicians whom I have been surrounded by since I was 20 years old. I have made sure that they feel comfortable showcasing their musicality and the joy of playing together.”
The band features the Deidda brothers – Dario on bass, Alfonso on saxophone, flute, and piano, and Sandro on tenor saxophone and flute. Additionally, Pierpaolo Bisogno on vibraphone and Juliano Oliver Mazzariello on piano complete the ensemble.
Born in Salerno in 1967, Amedeo Ariano boasts an impressive 30-year career in the music industry. He has performed with renowned artists such as Sergio Cammariere, Nick The Nightfly, Gegè Telesforo, Nino Buonocore, Karima, Gianluca Guidi, and Walter Ricci. However, his collaborations extend far beyond these names, as his versatility as a musician has allowed him to work with jazz legends like George Coleman, Johnny Griffin, Benny Golson, as well as pop icons like Lucio Dalla, Renzo Arbore, Gino Paoli, Gianni Morandi, and Ornella Vanoni.
In 2020, Ariano was honored by the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, with the prestigious title of Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.
The new album, produced by GrooveMaster, was recently presented live at the Teatro Augusteo in Salerno, Ariano’s hometown. The concert featured all the musicians who played on the album, with Gegè Telesforo as the master of ceremonies and special guests Neri per caso. The opening act was the Almanegra Blues Band, a legendary band from Salerno that includes two blues veterans, Gino Ariano (Amedeo’s twin brother) and Rocco Vertuccio.
The music on the album is entirely original and showcases a fusion of colors influenced by jazz. Tracks like “Don’t forget this” and “McCoy’s Mood” directly embrace the jazz genre, while others like “Afrodance” have indirect African influences, and the bolero “Dulce Abuela” evokes a distinct African flavor. The album also includes compositions such as “Sweet memories,” “Take this five,” “Is he talking with Duke?,” and “My favorite strings.”
Afrodance represents a new chapter in Amedeo Ariano’s career, highlighting his ability to merge different musical styles and create a unique and captivating sound. With his exceptional band and their innovative approach to jazz music, Afrodance is sure to captivate both jazz enthusiasts and music lovers alike.