Jazz & Wine 2007

What is better in the warm summer nights than good music and good wine? In Montalcino we celebrate the summer with the event Jazz & Wine - this year in it's 10th edition.

Literally just outside the doors of Enoteca la Fortezza, 8 jazz concerts are taking place in the period 12th-22nd July but of course listening to nice jazz music isn't limited to this period. We have tried to make a short description of each concert and voted for, which of our many wines matches best with each style in music. Hopefully, if you so unlucky that you can not be here to experience the concerts yourself..., this way we can bring some music to you via our wines.

July 12 the medieval fortress of Montalcino hosts Roberto Gatto Quintet. Roberto Gatto is an Italian jazz drummer, generally considered one of the best in Italy. He has performed with internationally known jazz musicians as saxophonist Lee Konitz and trumpet player Chet Baker. In this concert Roberto Gatto plays with 4 Italian musicians, giving an intimate lesson in Mediterranean jazz music at it's best. We find that the cru Brunello "Campo del Drago 2000" from winery Castiglion del Bosco is the perfect match for this kind of music because it is as straight-forward as the sound from the drums.

Young Jeremy Pelt will be joining us on July 13 with his "The Jeremy Pelt Quartet". Jeremy Pelt is according to both Downbeat Magazine and the Jazz Journalist Association a Rising Star on the Trumpet with his inventive and capturing way of playing jazz. Listening to this music we suggest you taste the Brunello "Le Chiuse 1999" because it gives us the thrill much alike the one that Jeremy gives.

Some of the characteristics of the music of Giovanni Amato from Amato/Ionata Hammond Quartet that will be visiting on July 14 are the same as the ones of a mature Brunello di Montalcino: soft and full. Max Ionata says he hopes his music transmits emotions. This brings us to proposing the Brunello "Poggio al Vento 1999 Riserva" from the Col d'Orcia estate as a perfect match for this kind of jazz.

On July 15 Montalcino has the pleasure of hosting saxophonist Maurizio Giammarco and his Megatones, an ensemble that likes to go beyond the traditional boundaries of Italian jazz music, to make music that inspires. That makes us think of the new "Rosato di Toscana" from the founder of Brunello, Biondi Santi.

This summer the legendary vibraphonist Mike Mainieri is touring the "30th Anniversary European Tour" together with even-today-pioneering group Steps Ahead, and one of the concerts is held in Montalcino on July 19. This group of jazz/fusion musicians keeps up the initial idea of being a launching-pad for young talent and new musical ideas. "What other wine than the latest invention from winery Casanova di Neri "Pietradonice" can match this?", we say.

With his mix of tango and jazz, on July 20 Argentine saxophonist Javier Girotto plays with Aires Tango and gives the idea of jazz a new dimension. After 10 years of absence from the stage in Montalcino, thinking of this music makes us want to taste the "AquaBona" from Tassi Giuseppe.

One of the most frequent performers at the Jazz & Wine in Montalcino during these past 10 years has been Enrico Rava, the internationally known Italian trumpet player. With his New Generation project we will have the pleasure of hearing his always interesting interpretation of jazz on July 21, this time featuring also Mauro Negri, the clarinet and sax player with whom Rava often plays. Our suggestion for this mix is the Burgundy wine from Trapet "Chambertin 1999".

The last appointment of this year's Jazz & Wine is with Rosario Giuliani Quartet on July 22. Rosario Giuliani is a very gifted sax player that brings lots of passion into the music and makes it difficult to sit still while listening to his capturing music. Automatically this gives the link to the "Ombrone 2004" from winery Cupano, a wine that gives you the will to go out and meet the world!