A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of being briefly interviewed by Maxi Broecking, who created this beautiful article fully embracing the poetic world of The Value Of Choices.
The article is featured in the April/May 2026 issue of Jazz Thing magazine.
Thank you Maxi for your deep listening and your wonderful words, here’s a short quote below.
“A sonic narrative, a true cinematography of sound.
The music is written with open spaces, like a commedia dell’arte of jazz.”
I am thrilled to announce that my composition “Bloemen” has been selected as a finalist for the prestigious “Scrivere in Jazz 2024” competition, category B. This recognition provides me with an incredible opportunity for international exposure and network expansion.
The finals will take place at Teatro Verdi in Sassari on August 12, where all finalist compositions will be performed, and composers will present their creative processes to the jury. The winners will be announced on August 13, followed by performances of the winning pieces.
Stay tuned for more updates and wish me luck!
For more information, visit Associazione Blue Note Orchestra.
This is one of Gabriele di Franco’s most profound values. This led Gabriele to create “The Value Of Choices”, his new orchestral constellation and upcoming album. Gabriele has passionately devoted his creative efforts to composing for large ensembles, resulting in an impressive collection of awards. In fact, he has won no less than 7 international composition awards in the past few years alone. Among them, 3rd prize with the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra & JamMusicLab University in 2023 (AT), 1st prize at Scrivere in Jazz in 2022 (IT), commissioned composer at the European Composers project of Subway Jazz Orchestra in 2021 (DE), 3rd prize at UMO Jazz Orchestra (FI), and many more. Today, Gabriele has decided to reinvest the awards won into this new ambitious project. The album, sharing its title with the project, draws inspiration from Gabriele’s mentor Kris Defoort’s greatest teaching, which is why its title track is dedicated to him. Featuring a mix of previously awarded compositions and fresh material from the past three years, the music promises an engaging travel through the diverse tapestry of jazz. The Value Of Choices features 8 original tracks, perfectly capturing Gabriele’s musical journey, with the special participation of 4 exceptional guests: Lieselot De Wilde (soprano), Vanesa Diaz Gil (alto), Francois Vaiana (baritone), and Federico Pecoraro (electric bass). Bridging the worlds of jazz and classical orchestration, Gabriele’s writing style is deeply rooted in jazz traditions, drawing inspiration from the great orchestrators of classical music while embracing modern and pop grooves. The album will be released on Challenge Records (NL) 6th March 2026.“While composing, one is often faced with an infinite range of possible timbres, dynamics, and evolutions through which the music may unfold. Every note chosen, every decision made, has a profound impact on the final result. In composition, as in life: this is the value of choices.”
“The Value Of Choices” is made by 18 wonderful human beings. Woodwinds: Alto Sax/ Soprano/ Flute/ Alto Flute/ Piccolo Flute: Martin Gasser Alto Sax/Soprano/Flute: Pierre Lagache Tenor Sax/Soprano/ Flute : Lennert Baerts Tenor Sax/Bb Clarinet: Tobias Volckaert Baritone Sax/Bass Clari: Duilio Ingrosso Trumpets: Trumpet/Flugelhorn 1: Antoine Colin Trumpet/Flugelhorn 2: Jany Van Lul Trumpet/Flugelhorn 3: Thomas Mayade Trumpet/Flugelhorn 4: Pierre-Antoine Savoyat Trombones: Trombone1 : Frederik Heirman Trombone 2: Quinten De Cracker Trombone 3: Tim Daemen Bass Trombone / Tuba: Els Verbruggen Rhythm Section: Double Bass: Fil Caporali Drums: Daniel Jonkers Piano & Effects: Yu-Ting Li Guitar & Effects: Machiel Heremans Conducting & Composition: Gabriele di Franco Guests: Lieselot De Wilde – voice Vanesa Diaz Gil – voice Francois Vaiana – voice Federico Pecoraro – el. bass
It is with pride that I can finally announce that my composition for Symphony Orchestra ‘5.8.15 for Carla‘ was awarded third prize in the Composition Contest Spheres of a Genius by Jam Music Lab Vienna & ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra.
The jury selected the 3 winners from more than 100 applications from all over the world!
Congratulation to the other participants and winners!
THE JURY:
– Marin Alsop,
– Angelika Möser,
– Christoph Becher,
– Bill Dobbins,
– Marcus Ratka
I’m happy to announce that “Berlin” and “Acqua” were awarded in Japan at the 1st Ise-Shima International Popular Music Composition Competition.
Berlin was awarded with a “Special prize” and “Special mention” and “Acqua” with a “Special prize”.
Watch Berlin performed by the UMO Jazz Orchestra
Watch Acqua performed by Synolon
I’m happy to share another achievement for this 2022! My composition Betsaba, inspired by the traditional music of Sardinia Tasgia – Miserere, was selected as a finalist at the International Composing Contest Scrivere in Jazz! 8th and 9th of September the finals! Looking forward to it! The selection committee, made up of musicians Duccio Bertini, Gabriele Comeglio, Michele Corcella, Mario Corvini, Riccardo Fassi, Corrado Guarino, Pino Jodice, Mario Raja, and Marco Tiso, subjected the compositions taking part in the 17th edition of the International Competition of Composition and Arrangement for Jazz Orchestra ‘Scrivere in Jazz 2022’ to careful analysis. The compositions admitted to the final phase are: Section A – Compositions based on or inspired by the themes of Sardinian ethnic music: Tasgia “Bathsheba” by Gabriele di Franco (Lecce, Italy / Brussels, Belgium) “Bonorva” by Leonardo Prunetti (Grosseto, Italy) “TB” by Nicola Corso (Campobasso, Italy) Section B – Free original compositions “Renegade” by Tobias Hoffmann (Graz, Austria) student at Kunstuniversität Graz “Sam” by Laura Giulia Veltri (Rome, Italy) student at Det Jyske Musikkonservatorium in Aarhus (Denmark) “Seeds” by Francesco Spinazza (Spoleto, Italy) student at the Conservatorio “G. Verdi” in Milan. Section C – Arrangements of pieces by Gianluigi Trovesi “Dance For a Fat Harlequin” by Daniel Hofecker (Pecs, Hungary) “Gargantella” by Gerardo Pepe (Gravina in Puglia – BA – Italy) “Siparietto” by Diego Donati (Corinaldo – AN – Italy). MORE AT: https://www.abno.com/i-finalisti-di-scrivere-in-jazz-2022/ —- Sono felice di condividere un altro bel risultato per questo 2022! La mia composizione Betsaba, ispirata alla musica tradizionale della Sardegna Tasgia – Miserere, è stata selezionata come finalista al Concorso Internazionale di Composizione Scrivere in Jazz! 8 e 9 settembre la finale! La commissione selezionatrice, formata dai musicisti Duccio Bertini, Gabriele Comeglio, Michele Corcella, Mario Corvini, Riccardo Fassi, Corrado Guarino, Pino Jodice, Mario Raja, Marco Tiso ha sottoposto ad una attenta analisi le composizioni partecipanti alla XVII edizione del Concorso Internazionale di Composizione ed Arrangiamento per Orchestra Jazz “Scrivere in Jazz 2022”. Le composizioni ammesse alla fase finale sono: Sezione A – Composizioni basate o ispirate ai temi della musica etnica della Sardegna: Tasgia “Betsabea” di Gabriele di Franco (Lecce, Italia / Bruxelles, Belgio) “Bonorva” di Leonardo Prunetti (Grosseto, Italia) “TB” di Nicola Corso (Campobasso, Italia) Sezione B – Composizioni originali libere “Renegade” di Tobias Hoffmann (Graz, Austria) studente presso Kunstuniversität di Graz “Sam” di Laura Giulia Veltri (Roma, Italia) studentessa del Det Jyske Musikkonservatorium di Aarhus (Danimarca) “Seeds” di Francesco Spinazza (Spoleto, Italia) studente presso il Conservatorio “G. Verdi” di Milano. Sezione C – Arrangiamenti di brani di Gianluigi Trovesi “Dance For a Fat Arlecchino” di Daniel Hofecker (Pecs, Ungheria) “Gargantella” di Gerardo Pepe (Gravina in Puglia – BA – Italia) “Siparietto” di Diego Donati (Corinaldo – AN – Italia).
Finally the video of INHALE is out.
Premiered by SJO/CGN at Subway Club on December 8th 2021 as part of the European Composers project.
Check it out on you tube and on instagram is also available a small explanation of the idea behind.
Here available also a small interview where I say more about INHALE (Inspira)!
www.subwayjazzorchestra.com
Subway Jazz Orchestra | European Composers
Concert and live recording at Club Subway on December 8th 2021
“Inspira (Inhale)” composed by Gabriele di Franco
commissioned by the Subway Jazz Orchestra, Cologne
REEDS
Julian Bossert
Johannes Ludwig
Joachim Lenhardt
Jens Böckamp
Heiko Bidmon
TRUMPETS
Matthias Schwengler
Christian Mehler
Maik Krahl
Cay Schmitz
TROMBONES
Janning Trumann
Philipp Schittek
Matthias Schuller
Tobias Herzog
RHYTHM
Philip Czarnecki (git)
Felix Hauptmann (p)
David Andres (b)
Thomas Sauerborn (dr)
CONDUCTOR
Stefan Karl Schmid
Recorded & Mixed by Julian Speyer
Filmed by Cologne Custom Studios
Supported by Land NRW & Rheinenergie Stiftung Kultur
I’m glad to announce that I was selected s part of the project EUROPEAN COMPOSERS promoted by Subway Jazz Orchestra of Cologne. The big band selected five young composers from all over Europe who have composed new works especially for Subway Jazz Orchestra and will be giving their world premieres on the 8th of december. This was preceded by a Europe-wide call by the SJO for composers up to 35 years of age. From the 54 applications received, the collective selected five candidates who were awarded a commission to compose for the orchestra. Congrats also to the other 4 selected composers: Jorik Bergman (born 1996 in Leiden, The Netherlands) is a professional jazz flutist, composer and arranger living in Cologne. She enjoys writing for large jazz ensembles and is currently organising her next big project. On the side, she has her own jazz trio in which she plays the flute, is doing her Master’s degree in composition at the Cologne University of Music and Dance and is also a professional model. Her dream is to retire one day and build her own miniature golf course in the south of France. Tobias Hoffmann (*1988) is a saxophonist, composer and arranger born in Germany and currently living in Vienna and Graz. Besides being the bandleader of his award-winning “Tobias Hoffmann Nonet”, he works as a sideman for various projects and bands. He is also currently working on the debut CD of his “Tobias Hoffmann Jazz Orchestra”, which will be released in 2022. Bianca Rantala is a 22-year-old arranger, composer, pianist and big band conductor from Estonia. She is currently studying music production in Helsinki, Finland and works as a freelance musician. Rantala is the conductor of several Estonian big bands, including the Taltech Bigband, the GOMK Bigband and the New Wind Jazz Orchestra. She has composed and arranged for all kinds of ensembles, but especially for big bands, vocal groups, wind and string orchestras. In 2020 she won 1st place in the Baltic Big Band Composition Contest. Born in 1992 in south-eastern Styria (Austria), singer, composer and pianist Ursula Reicher shows her great passion for music in her diverse work, moving in many musical styles. She completed her master’s degree in jazz composition and arranging with Ed Partyka at the Kunstuniversität Graz/Institut Jazz as well as studying music education at KUG Graz and German at KF-Uni in Graz. Her great love is her current main project ‘The Void-Quintet’, a special formation with which she released her debut album “Globular Cluster” in 2019 and was also awarded a Downbeat- Award for “Outstanding Performance” in 2019 and 2020. Ursula was also awarded a Downbeat Award for Outstanding Composition in 2020 and 2021.
The final concert of the Helsinki International Big Band Composing Contest was held at the Savoy Theater, Helsinki Finland on Friday, June 4th.
After selecting the 10 finalists from 76 applications from all over the world, jury members Bob Mintzer (USA), composer and pianist Iro Haarla (Finland), UMO’s artistic director and chief conductor Ed Partyka (USA / Austria), and conductor Antti Rissanen (Finland), awarded Berlin with the 3rd place.
My congratulations also go to Claudia Döffinger (Germany/Austria) and Oskari Siirtola (Finland) for first and second place.
You can watch the final concert on-demand and for free at Helsinkikanava.fi until 18 June and at UMO Helsinki YouTube channel until 31 August.