Pericopes

Pericopes is a contemporary jazz project initiated in 2007 by pianist Alessandro Sgobbio and saxophonist Emiliano Vernizzi. One would best describe their style as ‘New Jazz’, with roots in the European tradition, Afro-American music, and improvisation, and an affinity for melody and compositional structure. Pericopes has already participated in many important jazz festivals in Europe – the Umbria Jazz Festival (Perugia, Italy), Jazz & Wine of Peace (Cormons, Italy), Parma Jazz Frontiere (Parma, Italy), Jazz Pas Grave and Unesco International Jazz Day (Paris, France), BurgJazz (Münster, Germany), presenting their acclaimed double-debut CD The Double Side. In 2014 Pericopes released Frames (ParmaFrontiere Records), a live DVD shot in the suggestive Teatro Sociale Gualtieri (Italy) which positively impressed American jazz journalist Dave Sumner (Bird is the Worm, All About Jazz) : “Sublime duo set. Some gorgeous moments on this recording.”

In Paris, Pericopes began collaborating with New-York-based drummer Nick Wight, marking the inception of a “transatlantic” musical direction and performing across the USA and Europe as « Pericopes +1 ». Since releasing These Human Beings (2015) and Legacy (2018), Pericopes+1 have been rigorously touring the world, despite living oceans apart — New York City, Paris and Milano. The saxophone, piano and drums power-trio “demonstrate power and intention” (Downbeat - USA) plus grit and creativity that has earned recognition from both industry pros and fans. This "cleverly unorthodox trio" (Musica Jazz - Italy) has been described as "an original, stylistically interesting" (Concerto - Austria) cross-genre band that “belongs to a new generation” (Jazz ‘N’ More - Switzerland) of European jazz.

UP is the new chapter of Pericopes+1’s evolution. UP is a simple word with multiple meanings: Hope in a society where people always look down at their phones. A reminder to lift our heads, enhance our perspectives and create positive change. A forward, ascending direction that artists and civilizations require to survive. Pericopes+1 draws on these inspirations to connect stories, melodies, rhythms and electronics with the past, present and future.

Awards

1st Prize at Umbria Jazz Festival 2013 1st Prize Padova Carrarese 2012 “Best Albums Of 2015″ Top List All About Jazz It / Mos Eisley Music / Radio Città Del Capo

Album Review

What What by Mark Corroto
Legacy by Neri Pollastri

"Great record. Wonderful music with a very diverse repertoire, played flawlessly. You can hear the spirit and mutual respect the three musicians have for each other and the music. These guys have a history to be sure ." (Dave Liebman) /// “There is the search but also heart. There is rage and love. There is the howl but also the song. These three excellent musicians tell us about their being human. Thank you! " (Enrico Rava) /// "Pericopes + 1 enters the American market with These Human Beings with the “+1″ representing the addition of New York based drummer Nick Wight. The varied program, musical interactions and progressive thinking behind it are likely to generate interest on this side of the Atlantic. The Greek definition of pericope is a set of verses that forms one coherent unit or thought. Vernizzi, Sgobbio and Wight fit that definition perfectly, making These Human Beings is an impressive outing." (KARL ACKERMANN, All About Jazz - Usa) /// "The bass-less trio of Pericopes+1 brings a 21st-century influence to their album These Human Beings. It’s modern jazz that’s heavy on intelligent melody and spirited improvisation. All the songs exhibit power and intention. Pericopes+1 also demonstrates a mastery of dynamics, creating steady climaxes that climb logically forward. These Human Beings does make a statement, and that’s a good indication for this young group." (DAVID KUNIAN, Downbeat Magazine – Usa) /// "These Human Beings is a noteworthy example of Italian and American jazz musicians coming together, and Vernizzi, Sgobbio and Wight have no problem finding common ground when it comes to both the post-bop elements and the avant-garde elements. Both the inside and the outside work to their creative advantage on These Human Beings." (ALEX HENDERSON, Jazz Inside Magazine – Usa) /// "The group’s most impressive feat is that its ambitions don’t get in the way of the music’s accessibility. They play with intelligence and heart throughout, yet for all the complexity, the group is capable of communicating emotional depth through relatively structures. Without a bassist, Sgobbio does an impressive job locking his left hand figures with Wight’s grooves, creating the impression of a bottom." (JOHN FREDERICK MOORE, Jazziz – Usa)

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