Berardi Jazz Connection

BJC was birthed by Francesco Lomagistro’s well-known drummer/percussionist idea to put together all the experiences that come from his passion for Afro – american music, the ‘groove’, and the synergy between rhythm and melody. The voyage started many years ago in the center of Taranto (south of Italy) on a street called Via Berardi where, Francesco had an apartment using it as a rehearsal studio. After many different experiences as “sideman” and different concerts around the world with both artists, in the year 2005 Francesco decided to “give life” to this project involving other Italian talents and international sp guests.   After the international release of three albums The way I like , Do it and Anyway with the collaboration of his friend the pianist Ettore Carucci, the drummer and band leader sets up the new band for the fourth cd.   The new BJC are Michele Campobasso piano and keyboards, Vincenzo Presta sax, Francesco Lento trumpet and Camillo Pace double bass. With their 3 albums, they win all the world, as nu European jazz band.   Walking in the Village, one composition of Anyway has been included in the Top Jazz Tunes of 2010 in Japan (Tokyo Jazz Notes), and most of the tunes were played from many radio stations all around the world and different compositions included in many compilations.   DUSTY GROOVE ” …A cool combo from the Italian scene –The sound here is a great mix of modern club jazz and older 60s modes — played in styles that recall the sound of Prestige or Riverside from years back, but which also tunes the rhythms towards some of the more contemporary modes explored by the best underground jazz groups of the European scene of late!”   Rafe Gomez ( Radio 101.9 smooth jazz New York) “..This Italian band meshes tasteful, modern production with incredible live’ playing, and the result is a joyous celebration of jazz artistry. The grooves are a hipster’s paradise, yet the overall sound is accessible to everyone. It’s one of the top CDs in my stack by a band that I’d love to see in a smoky club, with a neat martini in one hand and a sloppy cigar in the other..”