Are jazz pianists putting you to sleep? Well that’s because you’ve never heard Nico Morelli. His mind blowing rhythms and his innate sense of melody make this composer one of the most significant composers of his generation. This is probably why the Italian press has described him “the most promising pianist of Italian jazz” and why he succeded to make a name for himself alongside Paolo Fresu, Enrico Rava, Roberto Gatto, Aldo Romano, Marc Johnson, Sylvain Beuf and André Ceccarelli.

His latest project « Un[folk]ettable » is an invitation to combine the classical tradition of the "Pizzica Salentina", predecessor of the "tarantella" from the south of Italy - with the sounds of American Jazz. These two styles of music, though apparently so distant from each other, have indeed much in common: popular origins, rhythm, improvisation and a close connection with the history of their people.

20 years ago, Nico discovered the beauty of improvisational music and its potential to unite different musical languages. As a "Pugliese" and a jazzman, it was natural for him to bring together the traditional music of his region and Jazz. The fruit of his own research, « Un[folk]ettable » reflects his interpretation of the sounds, rhythms, and colors of these two styles of music, not without adding from time to time a touch of humor and modernity. An original approach, bold and full of meaning that extends the path of this great transalpine "melodist" without fail in a way that is striking and immensely enjoyable.   

Also available in a trio with Stéphane Kerecki (cb) - Bruno Ziarelli (dr).