Canzoni, Italy's Favorite Love Songs by Chiara Civello

“The best jazz singer of her generation,” this is what legendary singer Tony Bennett has said about Italian singer, pianist and songwriter Chiara Civello, an eclectic artist that has taken the US by storm.

Originally from Rome, but now based in New York City, Civello attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston and her music has been described as “a variety of pop, jazz, cabaret and Latin influences.” Through the years, Civello has collaborated with some of the world's finest musicians, including the monumental Gilberto Gil, the poetic Chico Buarque, the pop diva Ana Carolina and the jazz star Esperanza Spalding who took part in her latest work, her fifth studio album, “Canzoni.”

Available on October 9th on Quarter Moon via SonyMusic Independent Network (SIN), Canzoni is a true, contemporary Italian songbook and a celebration of love songs drawing on repertoire from some of Italy's greatest such as Paolo Conte, Ennio Morricone and Vasco Rossi. The tracks are 17 and they include some Italian favorites such as Io che non vivo senza te, which she performs with Gilberto Gil,  Il mondo, and Io che amo solo te, performed with Chico Buarque.

The album release coincides with a tour of the Northeast, which sees Civello performing in New York, Boston, Miami and Washington D.C. (See dates below)

Chiara was able to answer a few questions between rehearsals.

Tell us about the album Canzoni and the tour in the US, apparently you said this is the album of your dreams.
I was born in Rome but I moved to the USA when I was 18 to attend Berklee College of Music, where I met a lot of amazing people and I started my musical life exposed to all kinds of styles and nationalities.

After a few albums as a songwriter I felt the urge to pay tribute to the wonderful repertoire of my country in my own personal way, reflecting on all the music that I had absorbed through the years, the travels and all the amazing musical encounters. I wanted to sing the songs I love without making a nostalgic album, I wanted to sing songs from my country, but without that melodramatic touch that sometimes weighs it down a bit. I wanted to convey the sound absorbed in these last years from all around the world and I was able to do this thanks to Nicola Conte.

That's how we created Canzoni, an anthology of Italian songs ranging from the 60s to today. I called legendary arranger Eumir Deodato to write beautiful strings and I was blessed with the wonderful presence of Gilberto Gil, Chico Buarque, Ana Carolina and Esperanza Spalding singing duets with me.

How did you pick and chose the songs that made it to the album?

Those are songs I love ranging from the great Gino Paoli, Umberto Bindi, Sergio Endrigo to the newest writers like Negramaro, Subsonica and Vasco Rossi. The choice was very instinctive and passionate and it proved to be right.

You have collaborated with some amazing artists, how important is collaboration with others when making music? And is there someone of your collaborators who holds a special place in your heart?

Collaborating is really precious and important for any artist. It's inspiring, encouraging, enlightening. I had the privilege of collaborating with amazing people so far in my life. I learned a lot from each single one of them and they all have a very special place in my heart!

How did you first fall in love with music and what inspires you?
I fell in love with music very early on, when I barely put a sentence together and my grandma Bianca used to sit me in front of the piano, maybe just to keep me quiet for a minute. I started a relationship with the piano totally based on pure intuition and no rules, just freedom...that's when it all started I guess. What inspires me is life, the others, time passing and things changing.

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Sunday, October 11, 2015
New York, NY
Joe’s Pub
425
Lafayette Street
New York, NY 10003
Doors:6:00pm/ Show:7:30pm
Tickets: $15.00 in Advance / $20.00 the Door
(212) 967-7555
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Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Boston, MA
Scullers Jazz Club
part of Sounds of Italy Festival
400 Soldiers Field Rd
Boston, MA 02134
(Doubletree Suites by Hilton Hotel Boston – Cambridge)
Show:8:00pm
Tickets: $25.00 ($15.00 for Berklee Students)
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Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Boston, MA
Scullers Jazz Club
part of Sounds of Italy Festival

400 Soldiers Field Rd
Boston, MA 02134
(Doubletree Suites by Hilton Hotel Boston – Cambridge)
Show:8:00pm
Tickets: $25.00 ($15.00 for Berklee Students)
 >>>

Sunday, October 18, 2015
Miami Beach, FL
North Beach Bandshell
part of Hit Week

7275 Collins Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33141
Show:6:00pm – 10:00pm
Admission: Free/Gratis
 >>>

Monday, October 19, 2015
Washington, DC
The Hamilton
 600 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
Doors:6:30pm/ Show:7:30pm 
Tickets: $16.00
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