Esperanto

Esperanto is the fruit of an idea of Luca Falomi, a young and eclectic guitarist and composer, and his collaboration with Riccardo Barbera, a versatile and creative double bass player and composer. The name Esperanto was inspired by the international language of the same name, which was created at the end of the 1800s from the union of latin, romance, germanic, slav and oriental languages; using these to create a new vocabulary. Esperanto literally means “Hope” (speranza, in Italian). It was an attempt to encourage different peoples to converse, thus seeking to bring peace and understanding, thanks to the use of a second, simple, yet expressive, language, which belonged to the whole of humanity, not just one nation; a language which values minority languages, otherwise destined to become extinct.

The artistic ties between Falomi and Barbera, both composers of great sensitivity who, from the beginning, have been interested in sonority and the mixing of musical genres, have lead them to work together on their respective recordings (Sober, by Luca Falomi, and Aymara, by Riccardo Barbera), as well as composing original material together; the fruit of a shared musical vision, similar artistic experiences, and an innate synergy.

Completing the ensemble is Rodolfo Cervetto, a drummer of rare sensitivity and creativity, who, from the very beginning, was in harmony with the nature of the project.

The trio’s language is that of original instrumental music in which, as with the Esperanto language, different languages meet, from jazz to World music, by way of experimental and avantguard music. Both melody and improvisation find their space within the compositions, which are far from clichéd and which synthesise new sound vocabularies and world music.

A live performance by Esperanto is highly evocative, being characterised by close interplay between the musicians, which is both captivating and emotional. In each performance, the original compositions are alternated with new interpretations of pages of internationally well-known instrumental music; a journey beyond space, place and time, which is capable of taking the listener by the hand and guiding them on an exploration of new worlds and new sounds.

The Esperanto trio released its first CD, of the same name, in June 2020, published by the Japanese label DaVinci Publishing. Characterised by refined compositions which none-the-less leave ample space for improvisation. The album, whilst having a strong acoustic matrix, and being in the style of jazz for harmonic and soloistic choices, has a broad musical air which places the music between world music and avant garde. Recorded by the celebrated sound engineer Marco Canepa, the album boasts the presence of two very special guests: Javier Girotto on Saxaphone, and Fausto Beccalossi on accordian.

Luca Falomi
Luca Falomi took his first steps into music at just six years old.

While following his accademic studies in classical guitar, he soon discovered jazz and improvisation, and so set out on a path
which lead him to deepening his understanding of the various languages and genres of music.

He attended a masterclass of international artists, who inspired in him a broader vision of music and his instrument.

His interest in tone lead him to experiment with acoustic, electric,
and ethnic stringed instruments.

His musical activities see him involved both in studio work and live performances, in projects of diverse musical genres: jazz, world music,
original composition, experimental and contemporary music.

In 2011, he released his first album, Viens Voir, followed, in 2014, by Sober, which was produced in collaboration with Marco Canepa, a very experienced sound engineer and record producer.
Sober is an album of compositions characterised by cinematographic and evocative melodies, which blends world music, jazz and avantguard music.

This album also gave life to the Esperando live project; an acoustic trio with double bass player Riccardo Barbera and drummer Rodolfo Cervetto, which creates original material interweaving diverse musical languages in jazz keys.

As a guitarist, arranger, and composer, he has been part of various projects, recording albums, live concerts and theatrical performances, in collaboration with:
Franca Masu, Petra Magoni, Ferruccio Spinetti, Javier Girotto, David
Clayton, William Naraine, Francesco Baccini, Hannah Scott, Fausto
Beccalossi, Alberto Fortis, Elisabetta Pozzi, Eutopia Ensemble, Al Schmitt, Lukas Mantel, Marco Fadda, Giovanni Ceccarelli, Michela Lombardi, Mario Arcari, Gino Paoli, Riccardo Barbera, Roberto Freak Antoni, Armando Corsi, Andrea Celeste, Stephane Casalta, Nicola Stilo, Max Manfredi, Roberta Alloisio, Giulia Ottonello.

Riccardo Barbera
A double bassist and electric bass player, Riccardo Barbera began his musical studies in 1988; studying bass at the ”CPM” music school
in Milan, under Attilio Zanchi, and double bass at the “N. Paganini” conservatory under the guidance of Franco Pianigiani.

In 1998 he won a scholarship from the European Union to study in Siena, attending professional courses for jazz musicians led by bassist Furio Di Castri. He has attended various seminars conducted by Miroslav Vitous, Paolino Dalla Porta , Alan Caron, Plas Johnson , Paul Jeffrey, Enrico Rava, Buth Morris, and Dennis Irwin.
mnIn 2000, 2001 and 2002 he attended the Nuoro Jazz Festival (Sardinia) workshops, directed by Paolo Fresu and won a scholarship
for the best student of the year (2000).
In addition to his work as a musician and composer, he works as a composer and, arranger for the theater, collaborating with directors and actors, such as: Elisabetta Pozzi, Mariangela D’Abbraccio, Ugo Dighero, Dario Vergassola, Adolfo Margiotta, Gianni Ciardo, Gianfranco Funari, Cipri’ e Maresco, Mercedes Martini, with whom he
has collaborated, and continues to collaborate in tours and theater festivals.
He regularly collaborates with: Ivano Fossati, Anna Oxa, Enzo Jannacci, Andrea Parodi (Tazenda), Mau Mau, Nicola Stilo, Fausto Beccalossi, Paolo Silvestri, Javier Girotto, Luciano Biondini, Rita Marcotulli, Gavino Murgia, Dado Moroni, Roy Paci, Beppe Gambetta, Marco Fadda, Tullio De Piscopo, Armando Corsi, Mario Arcari,
Ellade Bandini, Francesco Sotgiu, Diego Borotti, Alberto Mandarini, Elena Ledda, Filippo Gambetta, Echo Art and many others.

He has worked with several international musicians in the field of jazz, rock, ethnic and avant-garde, including: Al Di Meola (USA), Marco Pereira (Brasile), Mike Marshall (USA), Gumbi Ortiz (Cuba), Tran Quang Hai (Vietnam), Nitin Sawhney (India), Gnawa Sidi Mimoun (Marocco), Francis Bebey (Camerun), Dervisci Rotanti
Mevlevi Sema Ensemble (Istanbul), Stella Chiweshe (Zimbabwe), Oliver Schroer (Canada), and Steve Piccolo (USA).

In December 2014 he published his first disc titled ‘Aymara’, with the label ‘Old Mill Records’.

Rodolfo Cervetto

Rodolfo Cervetto is one of the most esteemed jazz drummers in Italy.
His greatest talents are the ability to combine intense rhythmic propulsion with sensitivity, and to give dynamic performances.

These skills have led him to play all over Europe, and to collaborate frequently with great musicians such as Bob Wilber, Benny
Golson, Gary Bartz, Paul Jeffrey, Andrea Pozza, Buster Williams, Dado Moroni, Gianni Coscia, Bruce Forman, Gabriele Mirabassi,
David Hazeltine, Enrico Rava, Fabrizio Bosso, Dominique Di Piazza and Michel Benita.

He is a regular member of many jazz groups such as: Esperanto; the Philippe Petrucciani Quartet; the On Air group, with guests Fabrizio Bosso, Mattia Cigalini and Max Ionata; the Mario Arcari Quartet; and
the “Melodies” quartet with Gianpaolo Casati, Andrea Pozza and Dino Cerruti.

He has participated in radio and tv broadcasts, recorded several CDs, and has recorded soundtracks for cinema and TV with Pietro Leveratto and Paolo Silvestri.
In recent years, he has focused his musical development on refining his personal jazz language; moving closer to free jazz, European jazz, and classical music.
He is the artistic director of Ligurian jazz festivals as Donne in Jazz, International Jazz Day Genoa, and Jazz ‘n’ Breakfast; which attract both national and International artists.
He is also the President and Artistic Director of the Louisiana jazz club, Genoa.

In addition, in collaboration with Teatro dell’Archvolto (Genoa, Italy),
Rodolfo organises cultural events in which jazz meets other forms of art.