The Franco D’Andrea Trio and special guest Han Bennink pay tribute to the first jazz record, the dixieland jazz that could be heard on it and the Italian American that played on it. Commissioned by the JAZZMI festival in Milan, master pianist Franco D’Andrea put together a concert around the 100 year old gramophone record.

1978 saw the release of the first jazz record, a 78 rpm disc with recordings of the Original Dixieland Jass Band. Two musicians with Sicilian roots played important roles in this band, which was founded in New Orleans and celebrated great success in New York: cornet player Nick LaRocca and drummer Tony Sbarbaro.

. Pianist Franco D’Andrea is one of Italy’s most famous jazz musicians and drummer Han Bennink is a renowned pioneer of modern European improvised music. Whenever their busy agendas allow them, they share the stage together, for example in trio format with world famous trumpeter Dave Douglas. In the 1960s they already played with the top jazz musicians of their time. Both of them have independently performed with giants such as Johnny Griffin and Steve Lacy. Now they will share the stage with clarinet player Daniele D’Agaro and trombone player Mauro Ottolini.

Daniele D’Agaro clarinet, Mauro Ottolini trombone/sousaphone, Franco D’Andrea piano. Special guest: Han Bennink drums