Physical Release Date:
24/10/2025

Digital Release Date:
31/10/2025

The Dolphians Line Up

Federico Calcagno: bass clarinet, soprano clarinet, piccolo clarinet, conra-alto clarinet
Gianluca Zanello: alto sax
Luca Ceribelli: tenor and soprano sax
Andrea Mellace: vibes
Stefano Zambon: bass
Stefano Grasso: drums/percussions

Special Guests:

Anais Drago: violin
Beatrice Sberna: voice
Francesca Remigi: drums
Davide Sartori: voice (rap)

Credits

Album recorded at Elfo Studio (Piacenza) from September 20 to 22, 2024

Recording and Mixing Engineer:: Alessandro Mazzieri

Mastering Engineer:: Wessel Oltheten

Photographer: Athanasios Alexo

Label: Da Vinci Records

BIO

Led by clarinetist and composer Federico Calcagno, one of the most original talents of the new European jazz scene, the sextet Federico Calcagno & The Dolphians stands out in contemporary jazz, balancing tradition and innovation. Formed in 2018 and inspired by the visionary universe of Eric Dolphy, the group made its debut with From Another Planet (2019), an album that reimagined Dolphy’s iconic Out to Lunch with remarkable creativity, opening the way for a constantly evolving musical journey and the exploration of new sonic territories.

Described by All About Jazz as “the new standard-bearer of the finest Italian and European jazz,” Calcagno has received several prestigious accolades, including the 2020 Giorgio Gaslini International Award and the title of New Talent in Musica Jazz’s Top Jazz 2020 poll. Under his leadership, The Dolphians have built a distinctive repertoire of original compositions, marked by collective energy, deep interaction, and fearless experimentation. Their music forms a bridge between the spirit of 1960s Blue Note jazz and contemporary influences — from post-bop to avant-garde, Balkan music to world music, and even hip-hop. After six years of artistic growth, the group now presents their new album, Face the Music, which marks a significant evolution in the ensemble’s sound and creative direction.

The album also features four exceptional guest artists: violinist Anais Drago, drummer Francesca Remigi, singer Beatrice Sberna, and rapper Chaaran (Davide Sartori). The result is a work that explores new sonic territories at the crossroads of jazz, world music, rap, and improvised music. As the bandleader explains:

“This group represents one of the finest expressions of today’s Italian jazz scene, and I’m proud to be part of it.”

The title Face the Music (metaphorically, “to confront the music”) evokes the idea of facing the consequences of one’s actions — taking responsibility and, at times, acknowledging one’s mistakes.

The album opens with The Great Opening, an energetic piece that blends groove and improvisation — “perfect for kicking off the band’s concerts.” It is followed by Inner Journey, described as “a spiritual inner voyage toward self-awareness.” The track Terra Liberata is a tribute to Fawad Andarabi, the Afghan musician brutally killed by the Taliban for dedicating his life to his country’s traditional music. Pieces such as Inner Journey, Terra Liberata, and Children of Gaza explicitly draw on ethnic and world music influences, expanding the group’s expressive range.
Tragedy begins as a vaguely atonal waltz, nodding to the 20th century and the frenetic spirit of Frank Zappa. Castelli di Sabbia features the outstanding contributions of drummer Francesca Remigi and rapper Chaaran (Davide Sartori), whose lyrics and performance add an ever-evolving polyrhythmic layer.
The song Lutto Nazionale, written and sung by Beatrice Sberna, is a reflection on the younger generations leaving Italy in search of a better future. The album closes with an arrangement of Mandrake by Eric Dolphy — a return to the group’s artistic roots, which Federico Calcagno considers fundamental to their musical identity.