The Legends of Otranto. Romano/Baron/Kujala/Karja (IT-FI-EE)

Thursday, January 22, 8 p.m. at Philly Joe's Jazz Club

‘The Legends of Otranto’ is the new album by the Italian bassist and composer Ferdinando Romano, released on April 11th, 2025.

‘The Legends of Otranto’ was born in 2023 upon a commission from AccordionFest Estonia, with the aim of creating an original composition for the accordion repertoire that could combine sounds of contemporary music with improvisation. The premiere was performed in October 2023 in Tallinn and broadcast live on Estonian Radio.

The album is a suite in six movements, inspired by stories and legends related to the city of Otranto. It is a musical tale of this magical and ancient land in the deep south of Italy: The Snake's Tower, Idrusa, The Bauxite Cave, The Tree of Life, The Two Sisters and King Arthur are characters, places, and images that gradually come to life note after note. Some of these stories are rooted in the historical events that have characterized this area of Salento, others handed down by popular culture.

Compositionally, the music is very heterogeneous, with its own character that is difficult to define, drawing from jazz, contemporary music, chamber music, experimental, drum'n bass, and rock. 

Ferdinando’s previous albums, Totem (2020, Losen Records) and Invisible Painters (2023, Jam/UnJam Universal Music) have been highly appreciated by critics and audiences, obtaining important awards such as "Best Italian Rising Star 2020" in the annual Top Jazz of Musica Jazz magazine, and the SIAE Award 2021, second place as "Italian Musician of the Year 2023”. ‘The Legends of Otranto’ further differs from previous albums by presenting a very original lineup with Finnish accordionist Veli Kujala, Estonian pianist Kirke Karja and an Italian rhythm section consisting of Ferdinando on double bass and Ermanno Baron on drums.

Line-up:

Veli Kujala - accordion

Kirke Karja - piano

Ferdinando Romano - double bass

Ermanno Baron - drums

The ticket does not guarantee a seat, we recommend arriving early or making a table reservation for 10 € per table: info@phillyjoes.com

Philly Joe's jazz club is supported by Cultural Endowment of Estonia, the Ministry of Culture, Tallinn Culture and Sports Department, private patreons, and many more.