Francesco Staccioli, the new jazz sensation
An Italian guitarist is shaking the jazz world with a series of projects that have taken him all over the world, from LA to Jakarta. Francesco Staccioli (29yo) is the latest in a line of geniuses from Florence. He stands on the shoulders of Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Galileo, to name just a few of the giants who made Florence's influence in the arts eternal. Although the Medici are long gone, Florence is still bursting with talent. Francesco’s family and the very inspiring cultural environment in which he grew up inspired him to become an artist in his own right.
“I am thankful I grew up in such a diverse and culturally rich environment that definitely shaped me as a musician. My whole family is very musical. My parents are amateur musicians (my father plays saxophone and my mom sings in a gospel choir). Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve always been exposed to their music concepts and lessons.”
However, Francesco did not pick up a Stradivarius. Instead, he picked up an electric guitar. Florence is not just the city where you can admire the Birth of Venus by Boticelli. The city has also produced rockers and jazz musicians over the years. Eventually, the most prominent musicians recognized his talent, such as Iacopo Meille, the leader of the heavy metal band Tygers of Pan Tang.
“I started forming a few bands in high school and from there I entered the mainstream circuit of the more renowned Florence musicians such as Iacopo Meille, Michele Papadia and Claudio Giovagnoli. With them, I started playing more prestigious and iconic venues like the Hard Rock Cafe and the Tuscany Hall (where acts like Steve Lacy, Counting Crows, Snarky Puppy, Steve Vai and Simply Red performed).”
One performance in 2018 changed his trajectory. The Berklee College of Music awarded him a full scholarship to their world famous program when he appeared at the Umbria Jazz Festival, Italy's most prestigious jazz festival. He couldn't believe it. Throughout his teenage years, while learning every trick from Jimi Hendrix, Pat Metheny, and John Scofield, his eyes were not only directed towards the Duomo di Firenze, but to a place beyond the Atlantic. American roots music, the blues, jazz, and rock n' roll have been his real influences.
Going to the USA was another big dream of mine which I almost thought would never come true. I really wanted to experience the vibrant US music industry. I’ve spent nearly all my life playing music coming from mainly Black culture and to come here and learn from the masters was an absolute dream come true.
In Boston, Francesco not only perfected his skills as a multi-talented instrumentalist and producer, but also met up and coming artists he would later work with, such as New York-based Ivorian singer, Eva Sita.
“Me and Eva are colleagues from Berklee. Our friendship began there. We started performing in different cities and venues as I was serving as both lead guitarist as well as arranger/Musical Director. I’m excited to work in the future with Eva as we were just recently invited to perform at the historic Paramount Theater in NY.”
Known and respected by peers and industry professionals, Francesco expanded collaborations. In 2020, Monita Tahalea, one of Indonesia's most influential artists, called on him to join his team for another artistic but also humanitarian journey, and invited him to perform at a very special concert in Jakarta.
“Konser Untuk Indonesia was an event held to celebrate hope, peace and the heritage of Indonesian culture and bring the Indonesian community together in the wake of the COVID 2019 pandemic. The concert brought together a band of Indonesian as well as international talents. I was honored to be selected as lead guitarist for the main act of the event held by Monica Tahalea. It was a special event that meant very much for me because I could help people come together and be hopeful during tough and really hard times.”
After other collaborations with Grammy winners and landing on NPR's Tiny Desk with Afropop artist EduArdo Omondi, Francesco graduated. His turn had come. As he moved to LA, he developed a project of his own: Rocket House.
“Rocket House is a pioneering and fresh experiment fusing together Jazz, funk grooves and world music that I co-founded together with award-winning pianist Riccardo Gresino.”
In March 2022, the collective released a self-titled album mixed by Grammy nominated engineer Rodrigo Martins and mastered by Leonardo Bertinelli. It is a delightful mix of Jazz, Funk and Groove that we recommend to any listener who wants to discover musicianship at its best. A new song will be released soon by Francesco, who never ceases to be inspired. Stay tuned!
“Another Life” is an upcoming song that I entirely composed and arranged and It’s going to be released in August 2022. It is inspired by Brazilian music but I put my own flavor to it. It was recorded live in Boston and it features a medium lager ensemble with percussion, flute, violin and a lot of guitars!
We can’t hardly wait! Francesco Staccioli might not be a Renaissance painter or sculptor, but he is carrying on the legacy of Florence virtuosi into the future.
No comments