Tag: 2017

  • “Aspetta” awarded at Jazz Comp Graz 2017

    “Aspetta” awarded at Jazz Comp Graz 2017

    I am pleased and proud to announce that I won the second price as best composer for Big Band Orchestra at Jazz Comp Graz 2017 with my composition “Aspetta”. Jazz Comp Graz 2017 is a triennial competition by the Jazz department – Graz Conservatory (Kug Jazz Institute) for big band Modern Jazz Composers under the artistic direction of the renowned composer and conductor Ed Partyka. I would like to express my gratitude to Ed PartykaBenny Hrdina, the jury and to the Conservatory of Graz who, through this contest, give a unique opportunity in Europe to the new generation of jazz composers and arrangers. Very few are the occasions for comparison and networking for those who want to turn the passion for composition into their profession. Regardless of the result obtained, the richest prize I bring with me is the opportunity I had to exchange and study with 4 of the greatest pro of jazz composition and 9 amazing composers. Long Life to JazzCompGraz!


    Sono contento ed orgoglioso di comunicare di aver vinto il Jazz Comp Graz 2017 come secondo miglior compositore per Big Band Orchestra con la mia composizione “Aspetta”. Jazz Comp Graz 2017 è un concorso triennale, organizzato dal Kug Jazz Institute di Graz (Austria),  per big band “Modern Jazz Composition“, sotto la direzione artistica del rinomato compositore e conduttore d’orchestra Ed Partyka. Il mio più sincero ringraziamento va a Ed Partyka, a Benny Hrdina e al Conservatorio di Graz tutto, che attraverso il Jazz Comp Graz creano un’occasione unica in Europa per la nuova generazione di compositori ed arrangiatori jazz. Poche, se non pochissime, sono le occasioni di confronto e network per chi vuole fare della composizione il suo mestiere. A prescindere dal risultato ottenuto, il premio più ricco che porto con me è l’essermi potuto confrontare con 4 delle più grandi professionalità della composizione jazz e con altri 9 splendidi compositori, da cui ho imparato tantissimo. Lunga vita al JazzCompGraz!


    La giuria / the jury:

    I finalisti / the finalists:

    • Cinzia Catania (CH) – “Anatomy of Melancholy”
    • Gabriele di Franco (IT) – “Aspetta”
    • Jakob Helling (DE) – “Not Yet”
    • Tobias Hoffmann (DE) – “Unforeseen Fantasy”
    • Christoph Klenner (DE) – “Meltdown”
    • Henri Lyysaari (FI) – “Child of Spring”
    • Ursula Reicher (AT) – “Do You Feel?”
    • Anna-Lena Schnabel (DE) – “Toy”
    • Suzan R. Veneman (NL) – “The Start of Something Good”
    • Luise Volkmann (DE) – “untitled”

    I vincitori / the winners:

    1. Cinzia Catania (CH) – “Anatomy of Melancholy”
    2. Gabriele di Franco (IT) – “Aspetta”
    3. Tobias Hoffmann (DE) – “Unforeseen Fantasy”

    premio miglior compositrice donna:  Anna-Lena Schnabel (DE) – “Toy”

    Aspetta Jazz Comp Graz 2017

    Aspetta Jazz Comp Graz 2017

  • Finalist of JazzCompGraz 2017 with “Aspetta”

    Finalist of JazzCompGraz 2017 with “Aspetta”

    JAZZ COMP GRAZ 2017

    Competition for modern Jazz composition in Graz, Austria

    I’m very glad and thankful for this great news: I’m one of the finalists of JazzCompGraz 2017 for Big Band Composers!

    The jury, composed by Ed Partyka (Chair), Michael Abene, John Hollenbeck and Jörg Achim Keller, have selected 10 finalists from 52 applications coming from all the world:

    • Cinzia Catania (CH) – “Anatomy of Melancholy”
    • Gabriele di Franco (IT) – “Aspetta”
    • Jakob Helling (DE) – “Not Yet”
    • Tobias Hoffmann (DE) – “Unforseen Fantasy”
    • Christoph Klenner (DE) – “Meltdown”
    • Henri Lyysaari (FI) – “Child of Spring”
    • Ursula Reicher (AT) – “Do You Feel?”
    • Anna-Lena Schnabel (DE) – “Toy”
    • Suzan R. Veneman (NL) – “The Start of Something Good”
    • Luise Volkmann (DE) – “untitled”

    I’m proud to be the only Italian in the final. As a finalist, I’ll have the opportunity to take part in the rehearsals of the KUG JazzOrchester and attend workshops with the Jury members. The winners will be chosen upon the presentation at the final concert (17.11.2017). The whole finals will also be recorded live and published in the first half of 2018. jazzcompgraz.com

  • Bija and Gottfried di Franco 5et finalists at SIBIU Jazz Competition 2017

    Bija and Gottfried di Franco 5et finalists at SIBIU Jazz Competition 2017

    Bija and Gottfried di Franco 5et finalists at SIBIU Jazz Competition 2017

    I’m glad to have been selected with two of mine most precious projects as finalists of the Sibiu Jazz Competition 2017.

    Between the November, 10th and November, 12th  I’ll be in Sibiu (RO), sharing the stage with other 8 bands, selected from more than 50 bands coming from all world!

    Here the 10 finalists:

    Gottfried di Franco 5et (Belgium) Bija (Italy) Pol Belardi’s Force (Luxembourg) Adam Jarzmik Quintet (Poland) Vibe Quartet (Poland) Yuliya Perminova (Russia) Mario Rafael Trio (Hungary) Petra Várallyay Trio (Hungary) Pasquale Mandia Trio (Italy) Well in Case (Italy) Bianca Olteanu Quartet (Romania) Fluffy & Mr. Grey (Romania) Bilge Günaydın Trio (Turkey)

    More info about Sibiu Jazz Competition

    More info about Bija:

    fb – website – soundcloud – youtube

    More info about Gottfried di Franco 5et:

    fb – instagram – soundcloud – youtube