Jazz Articles about Ilaria Capalbo

About Ilaria Capalbo

Album Review

Ilaria Capalbo: The Brightest Sun

Read "The Brightest Sun" reviewed by Ian Patterson

by Ian Patterson
August 31, 2026

"Look at the darkness," penned Lebanese-American poet Khalil Gibran, “giving birth to the sun." The arrival of a firstborn child also gives birth to the mother, who did not exist before. For Stockholm-based bassist-composer Ilaria Capalbo the profound experience of motherhood triggered a musical response of significant measure. Whereas her impressive debut, Karthago (Bluenord Records, 2022) was a predominantly acoustic affair, The Brightest Sun sees the Neapolitan introduce a little more electricity via bass guitar and pedal effects. Sparingly used, ...

Radio & Podcasts

Reis Demuth Wiltgen, Helen Sung Big Band, TENTNO & more

by Marek J. Śmietański
July 22, 2026

The 128th episode launches the first part of our June 2026 premiere survey, presenting selections arranged into six distinct thematic sets. The programme traces the full spectrum of contemporary jazz--from melodic, composition-driven quartets and intimate solo projects, through powerful big bands and a striking piano trio with symphony orchestra, to free improvisation, experimental electronics, and open-ended collective explorations--before concluding with a quiet, melody-centred epilogue. Geographically wide-ranging, the lineup features artists from Denmark, Portugal, Italy, Australia, Luxembourg (making its debut in ...

Radio & Podcasts

Ilaria Capalbo, Steven Bernstein, The Breaks, Levi Harvey & More

by Ludovico Granvassu
June 26, 2026

Seven projects, seven lessons in creative transformation--from reimagined genres, traditions and freshly taped recording sessions to the spontaneous reinvention that unfolds whenever musicians meet in the moment.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 The Breaks feat. Robert Walter, Eddie Roberts, Stanton Moore “Snowballers" The Breaks (Color Red) 0:16 Host talks 4:00 Levi Harvey Trio “Unset" Bloom (Sunset) 5:07 Host talks 9:21 Ilaria Capalbo “Little Tiger" The Brightest Sun (Bluenord) ...

Album Review

Kósmos: Averno

by Chris May
May 5, 2023

Formed in 2015 in Naples, though its individual members have long since gone outernational, piano trio Kósmos debuted with Back Home (Jazzit) in 2019. The album was composed of reworkings of five tunes by Lennie Tristano plus one original each by pianist Stefano Falcone, bassist Ilaria Capalbo and drummer Giuseppe D'Alessandro. The follow-up, Averno, is a different kettle of fish, devoid of any discernible links with Tristano's austere cerebralism. It has no apparent connnection, either, to ancient ...

Interview

Ilaria Capalbo: In Fearless Pursuit Of Her Muse

by Ian Patterson
May 5, 2022

After years playing in different bands and drawing widespread praise for her lyricism and rhythmic agility, double bassist Ilaria Capalbo has stepped up to front her own project. The Neapolitan's debut album, Karthago (Bluenord Records, 2022), is a remarkable statement of intent. Inspired by the ancient Mediterranean city of Carthage and its near-mythical figurehead, queen Alyssia, Capalbo harnesses duo, quintet and septet in a suite that is powerfully alluring. The rise and fall of Carthage may seem like ...

Album Review

Ilaria Capalbo: Karthago

Read "Karthago" reviewed by Emmanuel Di Tommaso

by Emmanuel Di Tommaso
February 23, 2022

Nell'epoca dell'accelerazione permanente in cui ogni idea deve essere smart e leggera affinché possa cogliere in pochi secondi la fragile attenzione di un pubblico stordito da infinite ondate di suoni, di immagini e di notizie, soltanto gli artisti dotati di una propria voce autentica possono avere il coraggio di dare vita a opere concettuali che richiedono (e meritano) tempo e attenzione, e che sono fondate sul desiderio di condividere emozioni e significati profondi. È sicuramente un'opera di questo ...

Album Review

Ilaria Capalbo: Karthago

Read "Karthago" reviewed by Ian Patterson

by Ian Patterson
February 16, 2022

For her debut as leader, bassist Ilaria Capalbo takes as her muse the ancient city-state of Carthage, the former Mediterranean powerhouse, in what is today modern Tunisia. Repeatedly sacked by a series of invaders, Carthage's colorful history, and its near mythical figurehead, queen Alyssia (or Dido), has inspired writers, poets and composers since Roman times. It is a bold canvas on which to inscribe musical notation, particularly for a debut, but the Stockholm-based Italian's writing for this lithe quintet, full ...