Italy’s 1930s-50s Through Jazz and Swing: Big Band at Desenzano

Italy of the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s through the radio songs. This is the intriguing and curious musical proposal that the Italian Big Band Company will present tonight at 9:30 PM at the Castello di Desenzano for “L’Estate musicale del Garda”.

Entrance and musical narration

Contrary to what appears on the event poster, tonight’s admission will be free. With the voice narration of Chiara Colombo accompanied by a vocalist, the 13 musicians will tell the story of our country, from the 1930s onward, with anecdotes from the era and melodies that characterized those periods.

The program ranges from compositions by D’Anzi to those by Gorni Kramer and Trovajoli, among many others, all with the American jazz and swing rhythms that influenced light music. The orchestra, directed since its founding in 1985 by saxophonist Gabriele Comeglio, is considered one of the most important jazz ensembles in Italy.

Band members and collaborations

It is composed of well-known soloists mainly from leading orchestras: from Rai to Pomeriggi Musicali, Scala. Among these are trombonist Emilio Soana, saxophonist Paolo Barbieri, and pianist Claudio Angeleri.

The band has participated in prestigious musical collaborations with Lee Konitz, Randy Brecker, Bob Malach, and Charlie Mariano, and has performed concerts with American singers Ami Stewart and Dee Dee Bridgwater.

Role and collaborations of the conductor

The conductor Gabriele Comeglio has been the curator of the rhythmic-symphonic and jazz programs for the Pomeriggi Musicali organization in Milan since 1986. In the field of international light music, he has collaborated with Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder.