“The history of jazz has always favored the partnership of strong personalities, especially those of guitar and tenor saxophone collaborations. Memorable pairings have included: Jim Hall and Sonny Rollins, Bill Frisell and Joe Lovano, Kurt Rosenwinkel and Mark Turner. Add to that list two Italian artists, guitarist Francesco Diodati and saxophonist Francesco Bigoni.”
“The musicians successfully tip-toe the line between genres, making Purple Bra a most personal statement.”
Allaboutjazz
“Italian jazz musicians are renowned as talented and Francesco shows it.” AllaboutJazzItalia
Francesco Diodati was born in Rome in 1983. He began studying the guitar during his teenage years in Rome where he discovered his passion for music. While pursuing degrees in both Statistics and Economics, he remained dedicated to his musical career. Upon graduating, Francesco could no longer neglect his musical inclinations and left his degrees behind to pursue his true love: jazz. Thanks to a scholarship he enrolled in InJam maststers courses at the Siena School of Jazz where he had the opportunity to study with Jazz legends such as Kurt Rosenwinkel, John Abercrombie, Hein Van De Geyn, Jeff Ballard, Drew Gress, Seamus Blake,and many others of great musical talent. Upon receiving one of the most highly sought after scholarships among guitartists from the New School for Contemporary Jazz and Music, Francesco found himself in the great city of New York where he met luminaries as Reggie Workman, Ben Allison, Peter Bernstein and Rachel Z.
Francesco now lives between New York and Rome, pursuing different projects that continue to fuel his inspiration for jazz. As a young leader and composer he has won both national and international competitions including Barga Jazz 2005, Porsche Giovani and Jazz 2005, Jazz and Image 2005, Martina Franca 2004, and Fara Music Fest 2009.
Francesco develops his voice drawing from musical inspirations of the past while incorporating his own unique modern prospective. As a composer he mixes different styles and focuses his attention on the melodic aspect,but at the same time leaves his own signature.
Francesco recently recorded his first album as leader, “Purple Bra” for Auand Records, one of the most influential labels for contemporary jazz music. The album is receiving exciting reviews.
His group Neko is a collaboration of some of the most influential, young Italian musicians: Ermanno Baron, Francesco Bigoni and Francesco Ponticelli. The group mixes jazz concept of interplay and freedom with a spontaneous melodic approach, looking at every style of music as a possible source of inspiration.
Francesco performs and tours nationally and internationally showcasing in venues and festivals such as the Panama Jazz Festival (Panama), OuTonalidades (Spain and Portugal), Casa Del Jazz, Torrione Jazz Club, Panic, Pescara Jazz Festival, Foligno Young Jazz in Town (Italy), Zsambeck (Hungary), Tremplin Jazz D Avignon (France), Fat Cat (New York) and many more.
