Jazzwise
"This exciting initiative taken by London-based vocalist Filomena Campus is the best possible advert for cross-cultural exchange at a time of internal strife in Europe."
About
Fusing the warmth and atmosphere of the Eternal City of Rome with the vibrant and eclectic jazz scene of the West End, Filomena Campus’ Theatralia Jazz Festival returns to PizzaExpress Live celebrating its 5th anniversary.
The 2019 Festival is organised in collaboration with the music venue and lounge restaurant QVINTO in Rome connecting the two major cultural capitals of London and Rome in homage to the city that has been praised by great poets like Lord Byron, Shelley and Keats. Assembling fabulous artists from a variety of backgrounds around her, the London-based Sardinian jazz vocalist Filomena Campus once again brings authentic music-making to PizzaExpress flagship jazz stage in Soho. Get ready for two evenings of mellifluous Mediterranean sounds and poetry mixed into original songs and stunning improvisations.
Theatralia Jazz Festival
5th anniversary
"Years ago I left my island, Sardinia, for another island. The UK welcomed me and helped me to make many dreams come true. At a moment in which walls are being raised, we seek to build a bridge between our two countries. One that is made of music, love, wine, and poetry.
Musical encounters started in 2013 with the first edition of the festival, previously called My Jazz Islands. Encouraged by the vision of PizzaExpress' music manager Ross Dines and music programmer Joseph Paice we now welcome the festival's fifth edition, creating a bridge between the two cultural capitals of London and Rome, in collaboration with QVINTO. The new music venue and lounge restaurant is located at the Tor di Quinto park in Rome, incubated by the ingenious entrepreneur Sabrina Corbo, who lives between London and the ‘Eternal City’.
Filomena Campus
Theatralia Jazz Festival Artistic Director
Filomena Campus
In 2013 Filomena Campus created the Theatralia Jazz Festival (formerly My Jazz Islands Festival) in which she seeks to unite her Sardinian roots with Italian and UK jazz musicians.
Filomena Campus is a jazz vocalist and lyricist, as well as a theatre director and university lecturer. As a vocalist Filomena has toured and collaborated with top UK jazz artists including Evan Parker, Guy Barker, Orphy Robinson, Huw Warren, Byron Wallen, Cleveland Watkiss, Jean Toussaint, Kenny Wheeler, the London Improvisers Orchestra and fellow Sardinian musicians Paolo Fresu, Gavino Murgia and Antonello Salis.
'“Her scatting is literally something else, a modernist in her approach” - Jazz in Europe
Events
Love Letters from London to Rome
Filomena Campus & Giorgio Serci feat. Keld Ensemble String Quintet
Special guest Natasha Stanic Mann
11 November
show 8:30pm | doors 6:30pm
PizzaExpress Jazz Club, Soho
Scaramouche with strings attached
Sounds of the Mediterranean meet Brazilian rhythms and Baroque arpeggios in ‘Scaramouche’.
Inspired by the masked character of the Commedia dell'Arte, vocalist Filomena Campus wrote lyrics based on poems and songs by Jack Hirschman, Maria Carta, Hermeto Pascoal and Chico Buarque, which were set to music by guitarist Giorgio Serci and recorded in 2015 for the duo’s warmly-received album.
Suitably for the 5th anniversary of her Theatralia Jazz Festival, Campus and her fellow Sardinian guitarist Serci are now accompanied by a string Quintet of the Keld Ensemble, creating a mellifluous layer to their original music in a new arrangement for strings.
The evening will be interspersed with personal testimonies from Elena Remigi’s book ‘In Limbo’ in readings by actress Natasha Stanic Mann in the form of 'love letters' to London.
Past event
Filomena Campus Quartet feat. Rowland Sutherland
Special guest Natasha Stanic Mann
12 November
show 8:30pm | doors 6:30pm
PizzaExpress Jazz Club, Soho
Moderately Safe
Drawing inspiration from a variety of influences such as the Commedia dell’Arte, poetry and her native Sardinia, vocalist Filomena Campus fuses jazz with theatre in her performances. On the path of improvisation, her warm stage presence and lustrous voice wrap skilfully around the artistry of long-term collaboration partner Steve Lodder on piano, drummer Rod Youngs, and for this occasion Charlie Pyne on double bass,
The quartet is joined by flautist Rowland Sutherland for a new take on some of the quartet's original songs. Sutherland also presents some of his compositions, including Moderately Safe and Drizzle, with lyrics by Campus.
Performer Natasha Stanic Mann will inspire and trigger the quartet’s improvisation through her interpretation of poems by British and Italian authors, including poignant extracts from the book In Limbo Too by Elena Remigi.
It promises to be a highly creative evening by the Filomena Campus Quartet and their special guests.
Past event
Theatralia Jazz Festival at Qvinto Roma
5 June 2020
Full line up tbc
The Roof at QVINTO, RomeThe second leg of the festival will take place in Rome in 2020 and see jazz artists of the UK and Italy perform together with the Filomena Campus Quartet at the newly opened QVINTO, where the audience can enjoy a unique culinary experience and its refined and magical atmosphere.
Gallery
Impressions of the Theatralia Jazz Festival throughout the years. Previous line-ups have included performances by Paolo Fresu, Antonello Salis, Stefano Benni, Gavino Murgia, Orphy Robinson, Cleveland Watkiss, Marta Capponi, Oren Marshall, Jean Toussaint, Tory Handsley and Robert Mitchell.
All photos of the 2019 and 2018 Theatralia Jazz Festival are courtesy of Carl Hyde
Profiles
string quintet
Founded by violinists Jonathan Acton and Kate Waterworth a decade ago, the Keld Ensemble is a versatile string orchestra who enjoy
collaborating with a wide range of soloists including soprano Jodie Devos, Pianists Jong-Gyung Park, Antony Zerpa Falcon and Bela Hartmann, Harpsichordists Masumi Yamamoto and Asako Ogawa,
DJ Francesca Lombardo, violinist Mona Kodama, classical guitarists Sean Shibe and Giulio
Tampalini, and Deutscher Chor London.
guitar
Giorgio Serci's technical skills on guitar range from classical, jazz, world and contemporary music enabling him to perform and record with artists like Ivan Lins, David Garrett, Basia, Camille Bertault, Sylvain Luc and Martin Taylor, He is a columnist for Guitar Interactive and collaborates with Fibonacci Archtop guitars, who are releasing the ‘Giorgio Serci Alma’ Signature model. Serci is also a co-founder of the renowned Bansangu Orchestra, which recently performed at Ronnie Scott's to great success.
flute
Rowland Sutherland is a much sought-after jazz and classical music arranger. His rich musical background ranges from Caribbean and Brazilian influenced jazz, free improvisation and contemporary classical music. He is leader of the Brazilian jazz band Mistura and performs with his own Sextet, Sutherland is also a member of the Colin Currie Group.
performer
Natasha Stanic Mann works across theatre, film and performance art. She studied Acting at ARTTS International in Yorkshire, and Physical Theatre at the International School of Corporeal Mime in London. As founder of Studio Lila and the Festival of Visual Theatre Labin in Croatia, she has collaborated internationally with many artists and theatre groups. In 2006, she participated in the Theatralia production U238 at Camden People's theatre.
piano
Highly regarded sideman for many International and London musicians. He has also been musical associate with Paul McCartney and musical arranger for the Zappatistas.
‘Lodder is both an improviser of originality and a musical thinker of erudition and depth’ - The Guardian
.
Rod Youngs
drums
Whether playing mainstream jazz, world music or urban contemporary, Rod Youngs moves seamlessly from one genre to another. A native of Washington DC, Rod has performed with array of artists including, Lee Konitz, Jon Hendricks, Julian Joseph, Courtney Pine, and Jazz Jamaica All Stars,
Music OMH magazine describes the London based drummer as “supremely subtle and melodic…dynamic and powerful”.
Charlie Pyne
double bass
Charlie Pyne is a London based double bass player and is the solid backbone of some of contemporary jazz’s most exciting talents. Her debut album Dancing Shadows is a collection of thoughtful, melodic songs with lots of groove and an atmosphere of story telling. It features Luke Pinkstone on sax, Liam Dunachie on piano and Katie Patterson on drums and Pyne has recently also recorded with Jazz Ahmed and Issie Barratt's Interchange.
The In Limbo Project is a not for profit project based on the idea by Elena Remigi. It was launched in the aftermath of the 2016 UK referendum to give a voice to 3.5m EU citizens living in the UK and 2.2m UK citizens living in the rest of the EU. The project has resulted in the publication of two books: In Limbo and In Limbo Too…which are personal testimonies of citizens on both side of the channel.
partners
The 2019 Theatralia Jazz Festival is a joint initiative of Theatralia Productions, PizzaExpress Live and Qvinto, and is supported by Green Energy, the Sardinian Embassy in London, CinemaItaliaUK, The European Bookshop and the In Limbo project.
Events
"Sardinian Extravaganza" in Alghero and London
Black Top +
Duo Peghin & Maltana
27 September
10:00pm
Poco Loco Jazz Club, AlgheroAlghero meets London
Award winning Vibraphonist Orphy Robinson MBE and pianist/computer musician Pat Thomas aka ‘Black Top’ will be performing at the Poco Loco Jazz Club in the historic town of Alghero. Their virtuoso, freely improvised performances combine twisted loops, samples and dub-effects, which draw on their Afro-Caribbean roots, with a spontaneity and daring rooted in experimental free-jazz.They will explore how their music intertwines with the intimate music of Sardinian Duo Marcello Peghin on 10-string guitar and Salvatore Maltana on double bass.
"It's edgy, uncompromising improv, but full of rugged lyricism, and built on plenty of compelling grooves."John Fordham, The Guardian on Black Top
SOLD OUT past event.
TICKETS AVAILABLE @ POCO LOCO
Tel 0039 -079/983604
Cleveland Watkiss +
Duo Pegin & Maltana feat. Marta Capponi
13 November
show 8:30pm | doors 6:30pm
PizzaExpress Jazz Club, SohoLondon meets Alghero
Soho’s jazz audience can experience the artistry of the Sardinian duo of Marcello Peghin on 10-string guitar and Salvatore Maltana on double bass, creating an intimate atmosphere with originals which fuse traditional tunes, Afro-American rhythms and Brazilian melodies. London-based Italian vocalist Marta Capponi joins the duo from Alghero as special guest to present original tunes created for this occasion, before the award-winning vocal wizard Cleveland Watkiss takes to the stage. Blending improvisation, counterpoint harmony, electronics, break-beat loops and bass lines, the award-winning vocalist creates a unique orchestral soundscape in Vocal Suite, drawing on the mood and ambience of the jazz club and its audience.
Filomena Campus Quartet feat.
Jackie Walduck
14 November
show 8:30pm | doors 6:30pm
PizzaExpress Jazz Club, SohoFrom the sweet taste of myrtle wine, to the deep coral reefs and golden sand, vocalist Filomena Campus takes you with her to her beloved island. Vibraphonist Jackie Walduck joins Campus’ long-term collaboration partners Steve Lodder on piano, drummer Rod Youngs and Davide Mantovani on double bass for impromptu riffs on some of the quartet’s original songs. They will also present a new composition 'A Bolu Pasidu' (Gliding) about improvisation by one of Sardinian’s most celebrated poets of the 20th century, Raimondo Piras. A signature project, who have taken their unique take on jazz following the success of their album Jester of Jazz to audiences around world.
partners
"Sardinia Extravaganza" is a joint initiative of the City of Alghero, Fondazione Alghero, Theatralia Jazz Festival, Jazz Alguer, PizzaExpress Jazz Club, Poco Loco Jazz Club and receives the support of Easyjet and Sogeaal Airport of Alghero.
Profiles
Jazz star Paolo Fresu has performed around the world over the past 30 years, with a track record of 300 recordings. His unique trumpet sound is recognized as one of the most distinctive in the contemporary jazz scene.
'Fresu is one of the most seductive trumpet players in jazz, a heart-on-sleeve romantic, a purveyor of graceful, flowing lyricism, with a golden, sensual trumpet sound'- JAZZTIMES
Oren Marshall is a pioneering player of acoustic tuba and electric tuba who, crossing between classical, jazz, improvised and world music. He has played with every major orchestra in London as well as with the Bolshoi Theatre Soloists, the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Canadian Ballet. . As a solo artist, Oren has played all over the world and his ground-breaking solo work lead to a nomination for the BBC Innovation in Jazz Award, 2 years running.
Benni is an Italian satirical writer, poet and journalist. His books have been translated into around 20 foreign languages and scored notable commercial success. 2.5 million copies of his books have been sold in Italy.
'At his Italian readings he is treated more like a rock star than a writer. Huge audiences hang devotedly upon his every pronouncement'
- The Guardian on Stefano Benni
Cleveland Watkiss is a British virtuoso vocalist, actor and composer. He was the winner of the London Jazz Awards for Best Vocalist in 2010 and was voted Wire/Guardian Jazz Awards best vocalist for three consecutive years.
'Best male jazz singer in Britain' - Evening Standard
'A jazz legend' - Telegraph
Composer, arranger and performer, playing pedal, electric and latin harps.
Tori is an active member of the jazz and free improv scene and has performed with Nigel Kennedy, Orphy Robinson, Cleveland Watkiss, Pat Thomas, Kairos 4tet, and is now a member of the Jazz Warriors International. Tori also leads her own trio.
RUTH GOLLER (originally from Bressanone-Italy) is a electric and doublebass-player, composer, teacher living in London.
She plays with a wide range of musicians, composers and songwriters, and also writes a monthly column for Bass Guitar Magazine and teaches electric bass at Kent University
Laura Cole is a jazz composer/pianist who lives in Leeds but whose band Metamorphic is based in London. Her work with Metamorphic is recognised nationally.
Laura also has a blog which discusses the issues that women face in music.
Antonio Di Bella
Journalist, Paris correspondent for Rai (Italian Public TV) Antonio Di Bella is also a musician and composer. His past assignements (New York and South America) influenced his musical style . Former editor in chief at TG3 and Rai3, he is always trying to use self irony to overcome the limits of Mediterranean journalism.
Robert Mitchell has released 8 albums, is a Steinway artist, composer, teacher and festival curator. He has worked with Grammy winners Bournemourth Symphony Chorus, Basement Jaxx, and many luminaries in jazz, classical, experimental, soul, hip hop and folk musics. He is soon recording albums with his bands Panacea, and a new trio.
Since Toussaint left Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers in the mid eighties, he hasn’t looked back.
Today he works out of London England as a composer, tenor/soprano saxophonist, bandleader and highly regarded jazz educator.
Highly regarded sideman for many International and London musicians. He has also been musical associate with Paul McCartney and musical arranger for the Zappatistas.
‘Lodder is both an improviser of originality and a musical thinker of erudition and depth’ - The Guardian
.
One of the industry’s leading marimba players, vibraphone players, multi-instrumentalist, composers and musical directors. He has written for Theatre, Television, Opera, provided music scores for the 2012 London Olympics. Orphy is one of the founders of The Jazz Warriors International.
"Vibes player Orphy Robinson is a national treasure." - Telegraph
Extra Events
Free events at the Italian Cultural Institute London and The Italian Bookshop.
Vocal Workshop
4 November 2015 6.30pm
Workshop by Filomena Campus and Cleveland Watkiss on songs inspired by Thelonious Monk. Open to singers and performers who want to improve their improvisation and vocal skills as well as their stage presence. Participants might be selected to perform on 6 November!
Fully booked; waiting list available:
Italian Cultural Institute - 39 Belgrave Square London
Theatralia Interlude
6 November 2015, 6.30pm
An evening of live music, theatre, projections and drinks as taster to the festival. Performances by Cleveland Watkiss, Filomena Campus, actresses Monica Nappo Kelly and Paola Cavallin. Special guests are radio DJ's Chris Phillips (JazzFM) and Ruth Fisher (Solar Radio).
Booking required: Italian Cultural Institute - 39 Belgrave Square London
Book presentation Stefano Benni
7 November 2015, 7pm
Italian author Stefano Benni presents his latest book 'Cari Mostri' ('Dear Monsters'). He talks to Enrico Franceschini, Italian correspondent for La Repubblica in London.
Booking required: Italian Bookshop - 5 Warwick Street London
