Tuscan Jazz and Wine 2007: Tour 2
18-25 August 2007
Note: new extended tour dates
Based in an exquisite luxury hotel, your days are spent discovering Italian and Tuscan culture and ancient civilizations and your evenings sampling an extensive array of culinary delights brought to your table from the region's best farms and vineyards.
Accomodation | Wine tasting | Concerts | Guided tours
Accomodation
A stay at the exquisite five star deluxe Hotel and Spa, Hotel Castello Del Nero, rated as one of the best 130 hotels in the world - is one of the priveledges offered to you by Jazz and Wine Tours. Castello del Nero Boutique Hotel & Spa boasts the area's first exclusive destination spa designed by famed spa designer E'SPA, offering the absolute latest in holistic treatments and spa experiences. A fully restored 12th Century castle converted into a modern day luxury sanctuary, Castello del Nero is the first property in the region to offer guests all the latest in modern facilities whilst maintaining the atmosphere of its historic surroundings. Among the many unique features is a beautiful frescoed chapel and garden.
Hotel Castello Del Nero
A room at Hotel Castello Del Nero
A Bathroom and pool at Hotel Castello Del Nero
Wine tasting
Our approach is to bring to meet the wine maker at each of the vineyards that we visit. You will then have the opportunity to taste the wines and engage in conversation, put forth any questions you may have directly with him/her.
We will take you to the Consorzio della Denominazione San Gimignano where you will enjoy a tasting. There are experts on hand for any questions you may have.
We visit the vineyards of - Poggio Al Sole - in Chianti North, where you will meet the owner/wine maker in person. He will conduct the tour and host the wine tasting.
The same applies to the visit to Montalcino where we will visit “Il Paradiso di Frassina" again you will meet with the owner/wine maker, tour the vineyard and do a tasting.
You will also visit Castello di Brolio, of the Barone Ricasoli which was named Best Winery of the Year by the influential Gambero Rosso Italian Wine Guide.
Rampa di Fugnano a small estate, run with passion by its Swiss owners, who dedicate all their attention to the increasing quality of their products which have achieved international fame in short time. The producers are convinced that the best results are obtained from healthy grapes, grown on good, unpolluted land.
Concerts Monday August 20
The All
Gilad Atzmon - saxophone
Jason Rebello - piano
Aiden O'Donnell - bass
Stephen Keogh - drums
This opening concert features music from 'The All' recorded last March in Udine, Italy. Rebello has been one of the UK's most inspiring pianists over the past 15 years, most recently as resident keyboardist with Sting. Atzmon is one of the most inspired contemporary jazz saxophonists and jazz composers to have emerged in the last ten years. Aidan ODonnell has been described and the new Dave Holland, and Stephen Keogh has worked all over the world with many of the greatest names in Jazz including Johnny Griffin, Lee Konitz, Phil Woods, Harrold Land and Brad Mehldau.
Tuesday August 21
Jason Rebello Trio
Jason Rebello - piano
Arnie Somogyi - bass
Stephen Keogh - drums
Jason Rebello was voted Most Promising Newcomer of the Year for 1988 in Wire magazine and then picked up several major Jazz Awards including the prestigious Pat Smythe award and The Perrier British Jazz Awards. Apart from leading his own trio, he has appeared in the past with notable artistes such as Wayne Shorter, Gary Burton, Branford Marsalis, Desree, Mica Paris, and Omar as well as promoting his own band. He also performed several classical concerts, appearing as a soloist with the Nice Symphony Orchestra and the Halle Orchestra.
Wednesday August 22
An evening of Jazz and Poetry / Frank Harrison Trio
Frank Harrison - piano
Aidan O'Donnell -bass
Stephen Keogh - drums
With readings by Richard Douglas Pennant
Garden of Boccaccio at 7pm Sandro Gibellini Quartet
Frank Harrison - piano
Arnie Somogyi - bass
Alfred Kramer - drums
Sandro Gibellini is Italy's foremost jazz guitarist. He has worked in the groups of Enrico Rava, Gianni Basso, Massimo Urbani, Luigi Bonafede, Larry Nocella, and with American artists such as Lee Konitz, Mel Lewis, Al Grey, Jimmy Woodie, Sal Nistico, Dave Schnitter, Gerry Mulligan, Lew Tabackin and Jimmy Owens.
Between 1988 and 1999 he played in the “Reunion" quintet with Danilo Rea and Roberto Gatto and recorded with Larry Schneider. In 1990 he became a member of “Keptorchestra" and in 1993 he released the CD “Felix" with his own band and “Funny Men" with Mauro Negri and Paolo Birro. Sandro Gibellini has also played on many records of the pop artist Mina.
Thursday August 23
Scott Hamilton Quartet
Scott Hamilton - tenor saxophone
Frank Harrison - piano
Aidan O'Donnel - bass
Stephen Keogh - drums
When Scott Hamilton appeared in the mid-'70s fully formed with an appealing swing style on tenor (mixing together Zoot Sims and Ben Webster), he caused a minor sensation, for few other young players during the fusion era were exploring pre-bop jazz at his high level. He began playing when he was 16 and developed quickly, moving to New York in 1976. Hamilton played with Benny Goodman in the late '70s, but he has mostly performed as a leader, sometimes sharing the spotlight with Warren Vache, Ruby Braff, Rosemary Clooney, the Concord Jazz All-Stars, or George Wein's Newport Jazz Festival All-Stars. Scott Hamilton, other than a few sessions for Famous Door and Progressive, has recorded a long string of dates for Concord that are notable for their consistency and solid swing.
Friday August 24
Kevin Dean Quartet
Kevin Dean - trumpet
Sandro Gibellini - guitar
Arnie Somogyi - bass
Alfred Kramer - drums
Kevin Dean was born in 1954 on a North Iowa farm near Mason City, Iowa. He graduated from Iowa University with an MA in music in 1976. He later received his Masters degree from Miami University in Miami Florida in 1980 in jazz performance and pedagogy.
In 1980 he was on the newly formed faculty at St. Francis of Xavier in Nova Scotia to develop a jazz program for the maritime provinces. In 1984 he accepted the position of director of Jazz Studies at McGill University, in Montreal, the position he
currently holds. He is an avid composer, trumpet player and leader of small groups.
He has performed in concert with such prominent names as Jimmy Heath, Benny Golson, and Joe Henderson. His current passion is the Hammond B3 organ and recently made his debut on the instrument as soloist with the Montreal Big Band.
Guided Tours
The group will be limited to a maximum only 14 travellers. One will experience a deep immersion in the rich traditions of Tuscany. Drawing on our local knowledge gained from many years experience of living in the area, our tours are designed to give the you a full experience of the treasures that Tuscany has to offer. Travelling through the countryside and enjoying the pleasures of food, wine, and landscape, we have carefully considered your need to relax combined with the desire to engage in the programmed activities of wine tasting, sightseeing, eating and concert going. This is a tour for discerning travellers who appreciate fine food, who delight in great music, who have a keen interest in wine and wine making, and who are interested in acquiring new knowledge.
You will have the services of a professional guide on the tours. Your guide will be accompanying you everywhere you go and will have all the local and historical knowledge 
Book this tour | About Tour 1
For more information contact All About Jazz.
