In the previous episode of our series dedicated to the Jazz:Re:Found festival, we introduced you to Raffaele Costantino, a mover and shaker in the Italian alternative music scene. As a trendsetter, it’s no wonder that he dedicated a lot of airtime on his radio shows and, through his projects, supported another of the highlights of this year’s festival lineup: Rosa Brunello.

Rosa is an Italian bassist and composer celebrated for her eclectic blend of electric rock, South American rhythms, and free jazzy improvisations, all grounded in a philosophy of ‘music without borders.’ Her musical journey has thrived in vibrant cultural cities such as Berlin, Paris, and Amsterdam, marked by significant collaborations with jazz legend Dee Dee Bridgewater and innovative British-Bahraini musician Yazz Ahmed.

Her discography, which includes titles like Sounds Like Freedom and the recently released Senseless Acts of Love, underscores her innovative approach to music and her drive to redefine genre boundaries. These albums not only showcase her mastery in fusing diverse musical styles but also her unique ability to create compelling and immersive soundscapes.

Join us for a Q&A where Rosa will share details of her artistic evolution and upcoming projects. Additionally, she has curated a playlist that showcases the broad spectrum of her musical tastes and influences.

Rosa Brunello is set to captivate the Jazz:Re:Found audience
on Sunday the 1st of September, at 5:30 PM on the EcoMuseo Stage.

What motivated you to accept the invitation to perform at Jazz:Re:Found, and how does the festival’s vision align with your artistic goals?

I have never attended the Jazz:Re:Found festival before, but I have always heard great things about it from friends and fellow musicians. I like the festival’s programmes that I have seen so far on the posters, and it is both a pleasure and an honour for me to be alongside artists I admire and listen to! It also seems to be a festival that attracts an audience of different generations, which I really appreciate. Knowing that many people go to the festival with the desire to dance excites me greatly, making me want to enhance the “groove” factor in my music!

Jazz:Re:Found has built a reputation among Italian festivals over the years, growing and gaining more popularity even at a European level. When did you first hear about the festival, and how does it feel to be part of the line-up today?

I don’t remember exactly when I first heard about it, but it was definitely a few years ago. I’m very happy to participate this year as a featured artist, alongside names that have been among my recent favourites.

Every year, the festival presents a very diverse and high-quality line-up. Are there specific artists in this year’s programme that you are eager to see on stage or with whom you would like to collaborate?

On the evening of September 1st, the Ezra Collective will perform, a group I really like, and I’m happy to see and listen to them live. I’m also very pleased to reconnect with Nicola Conte and Raffaele Costantino. The programme is very rich and interesting, and I believe it would be fascinating to collaborate with many of them—it would be a dream to do something with Mulatu Astatke!

With such a diverse line-up, Jazz:Re:Found inevitably attracts an eclectic audience. How do you prepare for your sets knowing that you need to connect with such a varied crowd?

For me, the preparation is the same; I always try to give my best, to connect with the place and the people who are there with us at that moment. In this case, I hope even more that the audience wants to be close to the stage, to travel and dance with us.

Can you give us a preview of what the audience can expect from your performance at the festival?

We will present our latest album, Senseless Acts Of Love, along with some tracks from Sounds Like Freedom (both albums released by Domanda Music). Our set will be a non-stop journey of grooves and melodies from distant lands.

Defining Jazz:Re:Found as just a jazz festival would be reductive, just as it would be to classify your music into a single genre. How have you developed and shaped your musical style, and where do your influences come from?

I listen to a lot of different music: Brazilian, instrumental from the UK, improvised music, electronic, Cape Verdean pop, dub, and much more. I want the musicians who play with me to be free to express themselves, so there is a lot of improvisation, even while staying within the structures of proper songs. For me, inclusion, freedom, collaboration, and diversity are the key words to making music together.

Performing at Jazz:Re:Found is also an opportunity to present and promote your music to thousands of people. Is there a particular project you want to highlight? What are your plans for the future?

Together with Yazz Ahmed, Maurice Louca, and Marco Frattini, we will present our latest album, Senseless Acts Of Love, which was released last May.

Jazz:Re:Found takes place in the enchanting Monferrato in Piedmont, offering a unique setting. How familiar are you with this area, and what would you suggest the audience see, visit, eat, and drink?

This is my first time in Monferrato, and I am very curious to explore it!

Put on your PR hat for Jazz:Re:Found—how would you recommend the festival to music lovers, and what characteristics do you think make it an unmissable event?

The line-up alone is an excellent calling card!

How would you introduce yourself and describe your music to a potential Jazz:Re:Found attendee who has never heard of you?

A sonic journey full of groove and airy melodies, always with the freshness of improvisation and interplay!