HiFi News calls the release”a refreshing surprise.”
REVIEW: Giuseppe Pucciarelli
“We predict a bright future ahead.”
REVIEW: The Pucciarelli Group
“those seeking the solace of melody and pretty texture, and delighting in well crafted music beautifully played, should check this out.”
GIUSEPPE PUCCIARELLI - Take Five
The guitarist speaks with Jazz Views.
VIDEO OF THE DAY: THE PUCCIARELLI GROUP SHARE ‘UPLIFT’
Italian guitarist and composer Giuseppe Pucciarelli shares a full live-in-the-studio video of the lead track from his new album, which is released on 11 March on Ubuntu Music, ahead of its live launch at Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho on 30 April.
Ubuntu Music Signs Italian Guitarist Giuseppe Pucciarelli For Album Release
The Pucciarelli Group
Uplift
11th March 2022
CD & Digital Formats / UBU0101
Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of the gifted Italian guitarist and composer composer, Giuseppe Pucciarelli, for the release of his quartet album, Uplift, on 11th March 2022.
Giuseppe Pucciarelli’s career has been deeply driven by his commitment to study, compose and perform music at the highest level. His philosophy isn’t very different to that of the legendary performers and composers of European and American Improvised Music. Pucciarelli’s main goal is to carry on shaping the trajectory of European post-bop jazz by recognising and respecting the great composers and improvisers who have already outlined and modelled the foundation of such music.
The Pucciarelli Group’s upcoming release, Uplift, synthesises all those elements together into a superb and confident album. Although conceptually modern, the original compositions of this album are firmly grounded in a particular tradition of harmony, melody and rhythm mostly found in contemporary improvised music. Stylistically, this release is perhaps more decidedly European in character compared with his previous album, Feel Free to Feel Free, which could be described more as straight-ahead jazz. Music lovers would argue that Uplift offers much more besides in terms of the moods it raises and the emotions it creates.
Describing his latest project, Giueeppe explains: “I wanted to write music in a style that would suit my Italian quartet featuring Ergio Valente (piano), Aldo Capasso (bass) and Marco Gagliano (drums). We recorded my debut album ‘Shall We Say It Is Worth It’ back in 2017, and this album is perhaps its natural extension. I had the sound of Ergio and Marco in mind when composing the music, and I knew I had my friend Aldo Capasso watching my back (He’s played on all of my albums and most of my concerts!). ‘Uplift’ wouldn’t sound the same without these guys. And that is the reason why the album gets released under The Pucciarelli Group as the artist name and not just my name. It’s about them too. They tend to understand my music in a very specific way, which then leads into playing it beautifully. “
Concerning his new relationship with Ubuntu Music, Giuseppe continues: “I am so proud to sign to Ubuntu Music for the release of ‘Uplift’. Martin has shown great interest in me and my music and I do believe Ubuntu is the right label to release the music on. Martin treats artists in a way that most labels don’t, and I know he can help me reach the right audience. Plus, being on the same label as some of the finest U.K. and international jazz artists makes me proud! (And a bit scary at the same time!)”
Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, concludes: “I was seduced by Giuseppe’s composing and his music from the very first time I listened to ‘Uplift, the title track to the album. It’s an immaculately crafted album and warms the head and heart with each note. It’s a pleasure to welcome Giuseppe to the Ubuntu Music family.”
For further information, please contact:
Giuseppe Pucciarelli (Artist): pucciarelligiuseppe@hotmail.com
Martin Hummel/Ubuntu Music (Worldwide): martin@ubuntumanagementgroup.com
GIUSEPPE PUCCIARELLI BIOGRAPHY
Giuseppe Pucciarelli is a jazz guitarist and composer. He has been playing the guitar from a very young age thanks to love that his father has with Italian Folk music. From the age of 10, Pucciarelli received private classical guitar lessons and started exploring and playing different music genres. A few years later, keen to further his expertise in advanced jazz improvisation and composition, he decided to go further with the music studies and moved to London for studying at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. Pucciarelli’s high level of motivation led him him record his first original album Shall We Say It Is Worth It at the age of 23. Since then, he released Feel Free to Feel Free (2019) and Tunes We Like (2021). The Pucciarelli Group has performed in some of the finest London clubs such as The Pizza Express Jazz Club, Hampstead Jazz Club as well as theatres such as Tara Theatre and the Hackney Empire. The Pucciarelli Group’s new album is entitled Uplift and sees Giuseppe go back to record with his Italian quartet, featuring Aldo Capasso (double bass), Ergio Valente (piano) and Marco Gagliano (drums).