“On The Road To Damascus”
LUIGI CAMPOCCIA QUARTET
feat. ÖNDER FOCAN & ŞENOL FİLİZ
March 4, Thursday, Ahmed Adnan Saygun Arts Center, 08.30 pm

 
 

 

Luigi Campoccia: Piano
Daniele Malvisi: Tenor and soprano sax
Rossano Gasperini: Acoustic bass
Paolo Corsi: Drum and percussions
Önder Focan: Guitar
A.Şenol Filiz: Ney

“ON THE WAY TO DAMASCUS”
“On the way to Damascus” realizes the attempt, often only theorized, of an “exchange”, a real contamination between peoples of different languages and cultures.
Italy and Turkey meet to develop an original project where the mixture, the indissolubile combination of stories and knoledge of different origins are the infrastructure of a deeply engaging sound full of atmosphere.

Luigi Campoccia - piano

leads a group of great musicians:
the Italians
Daniele Malvisi – sax
Rossano Gasperini – acoustic bass
Paolo Corsi - drum
&
the Turkish
Onder Focan ‐ guitar
A. Senol Filiz ‐ ney
 
After all the “Turkish things” (as it was and still is said in our distracted west) are much more
Westerners than we can imagine, because they born from our desires, from our anxieties. If we would be able to watch them more carefully, they would lose themselves in a game of mirrors.
Each part is a reflection of the other as, for many different reasons, the steps from one to the other
bank of the Mediterranean have always been so frequent.
Historically, the western world has always daydreamed the Turkish world, though it was so culturally and materially intertwined with ours.
And the more time has passed and the destinies of the two worlds have become inextricably linked,
the more those fantasies and dreams have increased.
Recapturing this human history that already belongs to us so deeply, "On the way to Damascus”,
through its original artistic vision, wants to recover and tell these fantasies, these ancestral dreams
that we always have shared just with those people who seem so different.
Fantasies and dreams which are, even if unconsciously, integral part of our common heritage of
"inhabitants of the Mediterranean".
Researching them, we let us contaminate by the Sounds, the Rhythms and the Colors of a common
Culture, a common Knowledge and a common Feeling.

Daniele Malvisi
He started his carrier dedicating himself to the study of jazz by attending the Siena Jazz international courses, with Danilo Rea, Paolo Fresu and Battista Lena.
Subsequently he attended to the "Courses of high Professional qualification of the EEC" participating to the “Clinics” of Maurizio Giammarco, Stefano Battaglia, Pietro Tonolo, Roberto Rossi, Bruno Tommaso, Giancarlo Gazzani, Stefano Zenni and James Newton.
In 1997 he obtained the graduation in saxophone at the Conservatory “Morlacchi” in Perugia under the guidance of Maestro Mario Raja and in 2001 the graduation for Improvisation and jazz arrangements under the guidance of Ettore Fioravanti and Paolo Di Sabatino.
In 1988 along with drummer Paolo Corsi, founded the group named “Sinergia” (D. Malvisi, P.Corsi A. Ronga G. Conversano), which had a program of original songs influenced by Jazz and Fusion.
In 1990 he joined the contemporary music through "Timet" where, active both as a performer and as a composer, he remained for four years.
In 1995 he wrote the music for the multimedia show "Claustrum", a creation of the French sculptor and architect Florance Hoffman, leader of performance‐group "La Zattera".
From '95 to '98 he is appointed first tenor in the 'National Youth Jazz Orchestra” directed by Bruno Tommaso and Giancarlo Gazzani and from '97 to '99 he is first tenor sax in the “OGVJ orchestra" in Valle d'Aosta, directed by Mario Raja, with Gabriele Mirabassiand Fabrizio Bosso.
In 1998 he was first tenor saxophone in “Gershwin Orchestra” guided by Master Alfredo Santoloci.
In the same year he had the opportunity to participate in many classic music events with the Morlacchi Quartet, directed by Maestro Franceschelli.
He cooperate with the indipendent lebel “Materiali Sonori” for the recording of three CD, composing and arranging music for the historical group in Perugia "Militia" with the English singer Clare Ann Matz and the producer GianCarlo Bigazzi.
In 2000 he was appointed first tenor in “Arretium Jazz Orchestra” directed by the pianist Marco Pezzola and in the same year he composed the music for the theatrical show “Novelle Toscane ", directed by Silvia Martini with Alessandra Arica.
Currently, he is part of the group "Theatrum" pertaining the pianist Stefano Battaglia and part of “William Parker’s Italian 4et” with William Parker on bass, Hamid Drake on drums and Alessandro Giachero on piano. Moreover, he is leader of Daniele Malvisi Quartet (D.Malvisi ‐ sax, P. Corsi ‐ drums, G. Scaglia ‐‐bass, G. Conversano ‐ guitar).
Much appreciated as a teacher, he has practiced for teaching several years at the music institute "Poggio Bracciolini" in Terranova Bracciolini (Arezzo) and Musical Academy "San Martino" in Levane (Arezzo).
He has participated as a juror and musical expert at the 26th International Festival “Teatro Corto” of the Piccolo Teatro in Arezzo.
Charter member of Arezzo and of the Cultural Association “Valdarno Jazz”, he has been for three years Artistic Director of the “Montevarchi Jazz” Festival.
Cooperations:
In various Festivals, concerts and recording, both in Italy and in other Countries , he cooperates with several musicians such as:
From Italy Paolo Fresu , Paolino Dalla Porta , Stefano Battaglia , Danilo Rea ,
Fabrizio Bosso , Gabriele Mirabassi , Massimo Manzi , Marco Tamburini , Maurizio Bozzi , Mauro Grossi , Pietro Tonolo , Nico Gori , the singer Andrea Parodi the singers Claudia Tellini and Luisa Cottifogli ; from suisse Michael Gassmann and Daniel Schell ; the french Christian Burchard ; from Austria Werner Puntigam ; from Germany Gero Hempf e Zoro Babel ; from Russia Alexander Alexandrov ; from Africa Gabin Dabirè, Paul Dabirè, Locquà Kanza and the percussionist Ali Tajbakhsh ; from Usa Peter Erskine , James Newton, Al di Meola , Robert Lopez , William Parker , Ron Vincent e Hamid Drake and the singers Michelle Bobcko e Romy Camerun ; from England John Taylor and the singer Louise Evans ; from Scandinavia Palle Daniellesson, the spanigh singer Consuelo Nerea and very famous session men like Manù Katchè, Dominic Miller e Pino Palladino.

Discography:
CPM Siena 92 / 1993 SJR 3‐02‐93 Sonora 4/ 1994 CD0953 Materiali Sonori EuroJazz 94 CD H 444.2 Splasc(h) Clare Ann Matz " Some Secrets " CD 90074 Materiali Sonori Gianmarco Scaglia " Episodes " MM 43026 MM Records Militia " Elvengamello " CD 90072 Materiali Sonori Timet 92 / 1994 " Cicli di Sintesi " Italian Music Office :Compilation 97/ 1998 The 43 best italian bands A W01 Arlo Bigazzi "2" CD 90076 Materiali Sonori Antonio Breschi " Song of the North " SON 010100006 Gabin Dabirè "Kontomè" Gabin Dabirè " TieruIntuition
" Gen Rosso " Streetlight " 2CD2 Stefano Battaglia " Gesti " Splasc(h) Records CDH 901.2 Stefano Battaglia "Mut(e)azioni IXV " Splasc(h) Records CDH 902.2 Stefano Battaglia " Rito Stagionale" Splasc(h) Records CDH 903.2 Aretium Jazz Orchestra " Christmas Songs " Live Teatro Petrarca (AR) MASO Daniele Malvisi " Contaminato " (Wide Sound) Stefano Battaglia" Originaria " (Symphonia Odyssey) SYO 02712 Gabin Dabire Sextet " Inverse Live " MM43035 Cous Cous Fest " Compilation 2005 " ondcous001 Giovanni Conversano " Domani " Rodolfo Montuoro ‐ A_vision ‐ AI Music Maurizio Bozzi ‐ " Bozorius " ‐ Drycastle DR‐007 Daniele Malvisi ‐ " L'anemone " ‐ MaterialiSonori (99081)
Daniele Malvisi Quartet feat. Danilo Rea ‐ " Jazz for Peace " ‐ MM Records
MM43039) Daniele Malvisi Quartet " Storie Nascoste " Drycastle Records (Dr ‐ 030)
Paolo Corsı, Drummer, percussionist
He was born in Tuscany. Graduated in electrical engeneering. After various experiences in the rock music, in 1985 he discovers his true vocation for the “jazz language” and improvvisation during a seminar with Evlin Jones. Starting from this moment, he begins to devote himself to the study of the instrument continuing to attend seminars and courses directed by the most famous musicians around the world, while maintaining its character essentially self‐taught.
He participates in the clinics of Peter Erskine, Airto Moreira, Marvin "Smitty" Smith, Billy Cobham, Roberto Gatto and Ettore Fioravanti. Simultaneously he pursues a personal research on the sound, which continues today.
This research reflects on his percussive set which undergoes constant changes with the inclusion of percussions of all kinds and various other objects that, for the occasion, become true instruments.
As proof of his versatility in recent years he has deepened his detailed studies on the relationship between music, mathematics and even psychology achieving in 2008 a master's degree in “Psychology of Music"at the University of Siena.
He has been part of several formations in which he played with many Italian artists such as: Stefano Battaglia, Paolino Dalla Porta, Paolo Fresu, Gabriele Mirabassi, Bruno Tommaso, Claudio Fasoli, Danilo Rea, Mauro Grossi, Stefano "Cocco" Cantini, Battista Lena, Riccardo Tesi, Marco Tamburini, Ares Tavolazzi, Tiziana Ghiglioni, Nico Gori, Giovanni Tommaso, Fabrizio Bosso, Luciano Biondini, Giovanni Scannapieco, Enrico Granafei, Saverio Tasca, Mirko Guerrini, Daniele Mencarelli and Fabrizio Festa.
And from other Countries: Otmar Ruiz, Bob Mintzer, Ted Curson, Mike Stern, Larry Shnyder, Sheldon Gomberg, Gabin Dabirè, Romy Cameroon, Robert Lopez, L. Blaine Reininger and Nguyen Le.
He won the contest "Barga Jazz 2002", with the Christian Arcelli trio together with the bassist Guido Zorn.
Since academic year 2005‐2006 he has been teaching drums and music along with courses of musical refinement at the Fondazione Siena Jazz.
He recently formed his own quartet, Paolo Corsi "Jazz Engine"in memory of Elvin Jones and participated with Danilo Rea at the"Usadba" jazz Festival in
Moscow. He is also often involved in projects of ethnic and contemporary music in classical and theatrical contexts, especially in collaboration with Paolo Damiani, the writer Stefano Benni, Bruno de Franceschi, Arturo Stalteri, Paolo Lotti, Daniele Sepe, Aulli Kokko, Kocani Orkestrar, Banda Sudden, Harmonia Ensemble, and the actors Carlo Monni, Alessandro Benvenuti and in different productions of the indipendent label “Materiali Sonori”.
In addition to an intensive concert activity in Italy he has played in concerts in United States, Russia, Mexico, Austria, Germany, France, Belgium, Holland and he partecipated to the recording of 50 music productions.
Rossano Gasperini
Bass player, he began his musical studies on the classic guitar.
He specializes himself in electric bass and subsequently in acoustic bass playing in various Pop, Rock and Jazz groups.
Starting from 1970 he played with very young musicians (now well known to national audiences) such Stefano (Cocco) Cantini and Stefano Scalzi with whom he founded two groups named “Fetus” and “Big Band 80”. They have been very important for him to aquire the rhythmic and harmonic bases.
In the early '80s, he played with an Italian percussionist and drummer named Roberto Fiorilli in a project of Latin Jazz music.
Later he went to Switzerland for six years running, with a project linked to tourism, cuisine and traditional Italian songs.
In the ‘90s he participated at the European Festival agains racism with the group “Parafunky” directed by the pianist Andrea Vanni and performed various Italian tours with the gospel choir “Sisters and Brother C.E” directed by Carla Baldini.
Starting from 2000 he is permanently part of the group of Luigi Campoccia in all his shows, concerts and disk recordings such as: “Canzoni corsare”, “ElbaJazz Contest”, “I sing amore”, “Walking about Jazz”, “On the way to Damascus” and partecipating with him to all his national and internationational cooperations.
In 2000 he also recorded a CD, for the “Map” in Milan, with the “Vocal Sisters”.
In 2001 he joined the big band directed by Alex Marchetti playing in prestigious Festival such as “Gray Cat” and “Tuscany Jazz” with the singer Joy Garrison.
In the same period, he played with the famous soprano singer Cheryl Porter.
In September 2008 he performed in a cabaret show with the two actors Sergio Sgrilli (Zelig) and Gianni Giannini. He is currently cooperating with Luigi Campoccia in his new project “On the way to Damascus”.
Luigi Campoccia
Born in Monteriggioni (Siena) in 1956, since the most early youth, he follows in his accordionist father’s footsteps, approaching himself subsequently, at the age of 10 years, the studies of classic piano.
From the end of years' 70, through the discovery of his Jazz vocation, he participates to the constitution of the first groups Rock and Jazz-rock (Livello 7, Juice) of national level and attends a course of specialization in Jazz and song at the Mercy College in New York with master G. Stall.
Back in Italy, he collaborates with the bass-player Franco Caroni to the foundation of the SienaJazz Association and he deepens his preparation, participating to the seminaries with Fasoli, Lama, Bianchi, Biriaco, Sisti, Morgera etc.
Until all the 1986, he alternates the “theaching” with the “playing” activity, organizing moreover, an orchestra of 9 elements for the first and most popular italian tournée of the singer Sergio Caputo, titled “Sabato Italiano”.
Also the “recording” activity, in this period, becomes intense and meaningful: he records the disc “Bindi plays America” for the classic flute player Cesare Bindi, for whom he cures the selection of the songs, the arrangements and the parts of piano playing.
Meanwhile, he records his first disc “Formalmente coinvolti” distributed by EMI-Italy participating, subsequently, to all headed of the TV program 
“Il cappello sulle ventitré” for RAI.
In 1987, he begins his first theatrical engagement with the Sistina Theatre in Rome, under the direction of Pietro Garinei, for which he cures the arrangements, the musical preparation of the interpreters and singers and the live execution for the two tournée of the musical show “A che servono gli uomini”.
Starting from this first experience, he begins his “life in the theatre”, through the more intense and meaningful collaboration, represented by the 15 years lived with the extraordinary artist Giorgio Gaber, playing, arranging and singing with him in every live-show and disc recording from 1987 and sharing the common passion for theatre and the great topics of social engagement.
From the death of the great artist, he begins his collaboration with the Office for Culture of the Italian Embassy, holding concerts in many countries of the world (France, Switzerland, Turchia, Somalia, United States, Canada, Indonesia, Australia) accompanied by his quartet and participates, at the same time, to the reconstitution of the new “Juice Group”.
The latest return to the teaching at SienaJazz Academy is characterized by the will to transmit his long musical and instrumental experience trying to transfuse, at the same time, his personal idea of “Music and Communication”.
To such purpose, he holds “open lessons” also for the students of the course of “Science of the communication” of the University Of the Studies of Siena.
In 2005, animated by the same desire “to communicate” he records with his acustic quartet, his CD titled “4 U” which maintains a clear “Jazz flavour” but, inevitably permeated by all the memories and feelings stired up by all the experiences lived in his life and full of those “contaminations” acquired in his long career of musician.
2006 Tour in Korea and Japan for the Italian Institute of Culture
2007 After concerts in Poland and Turkey he is back to devote himself to music for theater: he debuts at the Teatro Sistina in Rome with the singer E. Bonelli, accompanied by the symphonic orchestra "Amadeus" directed by Master Stelvio Cipriani.
He debuts at the Puccini Theater in Florence with his show of songs and monologues "Canzoni Corsare" (which gives the name to his last CD) and with whom he participates, to national festivals such as: 
"Moontale Festival" and "Pieviecastelliinmusica" as well as theatrical and musical festivals throughout Tuscany.
He joins the first exhibition of the show “Milano per Giorgio Gaber” at the Streheler Theater , playing for the singer Rossana Casale with Gianni Martini and Claudio de Mattei. 
On that occasion he presents his song "A Giorgio" with whom he obtains great success from public and press.
Starting from October 2007 he is appointed “Artistic Director” of the first edition of ElbaJazz Contest (Marciana Marina 24/06 - 05/07/2008) connected to its Festival Jazz of Marciana Marina.
May 2008 He debuts in Siena – Castello di Stigliano - with his new show named
 “ I Sing Amore” (songs between two worlds) accompanied by Paolo Corsi, Rossano Gasperini, Damiano Niccolini.
The show has been repeated in July in Marciana Marina during Elba Jazz Festival.
July 21/23, 2008, at the end of ElbaJazz Contest, he partecipates at the 4th edition of Festival Teatro Canzone Giorgio Gaber for which he cures the arrangements and the executions of Giorgio Gaber historical songs. 
In this occasion he accompanies famous italian singers and actors such as Mietta, Grignani , Paolo Kessisoglu and Luca Bizzarri.
October 2008 He records his new CD “Walking about Jazz” accompanied by Paolo Corsi, Rossano Gasperini, Damiano Niccolini, - guest star Marco Tamburini and he participates to National Jazz Festival such as Beat Onto Jazz Festival, Valdarno Jazz Festival, Mediterraneo Jazz Festival, Arezzo Jazz Festival, Le scimmie in Milan.
Starting from summer 2009 he transformed the ElbaJazz Festival in Mediterraneo Jazz Festival and Contest particularly vocated to mediterranean music and contaminations between different sounds and cultures pertaining to this area.Following the first Edition which obtained a very large success, this Festival became a special and unique occasion for International musicians and new talents on the Italian Jazz music scene.
December 2009 he records the new CD “On the way to Damascus” with his 4tet and the special participation of 2 extraordinary turkish musician: Onder Focan and A.Senol Filiz.
This Cd represents the attempt, often only theorized, of an “exchange”, a real contamination between peoples of different languages and cultures.

A. Şenol Filiz
In 1980, Aziz Şenol Filiz and Birol Yayla met at the conservatoire.
In 1983, they joined the Turkish music chorus. In 1990, they formed Yansımalar: the name is the plural of the Turkish word yansıma (reflection), giving yansımalar (reflections), which as in English means both the reflection of the mirror and the reflection of the mind.
Their music, mostly composed by Birol Yayla, is essentially instrumental, though a few pieces feature the sound of voice or breathing.
About their music, Mario Levi (the Turkish novelist from Izmir) wrote in his introduction to Pervane, "Some songs speak to you without words. Because those songs have a language.
A language with its source in your personal history, or in collective memory.
Some songs seem to caress you, and some, in the middle of the night, jar you to your depths.
It's a bit as if these songs, with the passing of time, write their stories into you. From the first time I listened to the songs of 'Yansımalar', I have always had this feeling, and for me, this story continues in 'Pervane'.
In 1991 and 1995, the founding pair recorded two albums, released by the newly created record label Kalan Müzik (1991).
In 1996, the band was joined by Engin Gürkey (percussions) and Nezih Yeşilnil (double bass), who appear on the 3rd and following albums.
In 2001, four guest musicians participated to the recording of the 4th album, and in 2004, eight guests are featured on the 5th album, including noted fretless guitarist Erkan Oğur.
They contributed music (along with Baba Zula) to the soundtrack for Derviş Zaim's first film, Tabutta Rövaşata (1996).
And the music for Altın Kanatlar (2002, TV documentary), Ferhat'la Şirin (2002, movie), Esir Şehrin İnsanları (2003, TV miniseries featuring Oktay Kaynarca and Zeynep Tokuş).
They were regular guests of music shows on BRT in 1999‐2000 and on TRT in 2002‐2003.
In 2007, they contributed music to the soundtrack of The Last Ottoman: Yandim Ali (Son Osmanlı: Yandım Ali), a noted Turkish film, based on a comic book by Suat Yalaz.
Yansımalar (Birol Yayla) composed the music for 2 tracks, and the band contributed strings to about half of the tracks.
The music was produced by Prince Claus Award laureate Hasan Saltık, founder of the Kalan record label.
Önder Focan
He started music in 1970, and got interested in jazz music in 1975.
Starting from the year 1985 performed in various local and international venues.
On December 1994 released his first album JAZZ GUITAR in MD format.
On December 1994, recorded his first CD entitled “Onder Focan Group – ERKEN”
In 1997 Focan performed in the Guitar Night which was organised by MIDEM with 11 international guitarists representing Istanbul Culture and Arts Fund (IKSV).
The Artist’s 1998 CD, BENEATH THE STARS honoured him as the one and only Turkish jazz artist who has released an album on Blue Note label. This album featured the great drummer Bill Stewart and Hammond B3 player Sam Yahel.
In 1999, he recorded VOCALISTS with Sibel Kose, Ajlan Buyukburc, Aydin Kahya, Slide Hampton, Brian Lynch, Doug Weiss and Hugh Sicotte which includes Onder Focan tunes with lyrics.
Onder Focan attended IAJE seminars in 1999, 2000 and 2004.
Onder Focan performed at the 80. anniversary concert of Thomastik Infeld Strings on November 1999 in Vienna. He also performed for Thomastik Infeld Strings in 2001 and Hofner Guitars in 2002 at the winter NAMM shows in L.A. On November 2001. Focan a CD entitled STANDARD A LA TURC recorded in Helsinki, Finland which features the jazz versions of Turkish popular tunes.
In 2002 Onder Focan was involved in SIJF (Spontaneous International Jazz Friends) Project which was lead by the excellent German bass player Stefan Weeke and recorded a CD entitled No.One with great drummer Ernst Bier, which has released in Germany in the same year.
On December 2001 recorded the duo album with international jazz great bassist David Friesen entitled REMinisce in Vienna, Austria which is released on July 2003 in Turkey.
Focan released a CD entitled “Kirmiziya Caliyor” LIKE RED with Ercument Vural, Alp Ersonmez, Cengiz Baysal and Tunc Cakir in 2004 which became very popular in Turkey.
In 2007, he released a CD entitled "Swing a la Turc" with A. Senol Filiz (ney), Senova Ulker (tpt), Erdal Akyol (b), Ferit Odman (d), Cem Aksel (d), which is a straight jazz approach to Turkish tunes with the use of traditional instrument "ney".
And 2009, he released a new CD “36mm Biometric” with Şenova Ülker (tp), Engin
Recepoğulları (ts), Hakan Çimenot (tb), Erdal Akyol (b), Ediz Hafızoğlu (d) which is composed by himself of bebop tunes.
Elected as the best artist in Western Music by MSM Art Center (Mujdat Gezen Sanat Merkezi)
Istanbul in 2000.
Onder Focan uses and endorses Thomastik Infeld Strings, Hofner and Godin Guitars.
He recently plays a hand made 15" carved hollowbody guitar made by luthier Şerıf Köse.