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Take Five With Tommaso Cappellato

By AAJ Staff
July 24, 2009
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Meet Tommaso Cappellato: Italian drummer and composer Tommaso Cappellato always strived to leave his mark as the founder and creator of numerous musical situations. His curiosity for different styles and continuous will for research led him to travel and explore various countries in the world to meet, learn from and collaborate with influential musical artists.

During his nine-year stay in New York Cappellato completed his education at the New School University where he studied with notable artists such as

Richie Beirach

piano
b.1947

" data-original-title="" title="">Richie Beirach, Michael Carvin,

Joe Chambers

drums
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Chambers,

Jimmy Cobb

drums
1929 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Cobb,

Bob Cranshaw

bass
1932 - 2016

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob Cranshaw,

Billy Hart

drums
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Billy Hart,

Victor Lewis

drums
b.1950

" data-original-title="" title="">Victor Lewis and

Reggie Workman

bass
b.1937

" data-original-title="" title="">Reggie Workman.

While in the Big Apple he took part to several musical projects: Trio65 (Jazz), Bill Ware's Vibes (Funk/Electronic) Jacoband (Country/Folk), Andrea Monteiro & Brazilian Love (Latin).

In 2004 Cappellato, along with Brooklyn-based MC Yah Supreme, founded the hip hop band Brohemian and recorded the album Post Modern Garden, in which he acted as both drummer and producer.

In 2005 he traveled to Senegal, Africa to record the album Sali Dons: Le Destine (Music Rekk 2005) with Guinean percussionist and singer Salif Bangoura, produced by musicologist Stefano Marcato.

Cappellato's collaborations include performances and recordings with: Tim Armacost,

Peter Bernstein

guitar
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Bernstein,

Michael Blake

saxophone, tenor
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Blake, Robert Bonisolo, Fabrizio Bosso,

George Cables

piano
b.1944

" data-original-title="" title="">George Cables, Carol C (Si-Se'), Antonio Farao,

Joel Frahm

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Joel Frahm,

Aaron Goldberg

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Aaron Goldberg,

Steve Grossman

saxophone
1951 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Grossman, Debbie Harry (Blondie),

Jon Hendricks

vocals
1921 - 2017

" data-original-title="" title="">Jon Hendricks, The Jazz Passengers,

Lionel Loueke

guitar
b.1973

" data-original-title="" title="">Lionel Loueke,

Junior Mance

piano
1928 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Junior Mance,

Ronnie Mathews

piano
1935 - 2008

" data-original-title="" title="">Ronnie Mathews,

Ron McClure

bass
b.1941

" data-original-title="" title="">Ron McClure, Dado Moroni,

Lawrence "Butch" Morris

cornet
1947 - 2013

" data-original-title="" title="">Lawrence "Butch" Morris, DJ Nickodemus,

Enrico Pieranunzi

piano
b.1949

" data-original-title="" title="">Enrico Pieranunzi,

Marc Ribot

guitar
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Marc Ribot, Pietro Tonolo, Harry Whitake and Richard Wyands.

Presently Cappellato keeps traveling the world, leading his own groups and collaborating in different musical contexts such as jazz and improvisation, electronic, avant-garde and world music.

Instrument(s): Drums, piano.

Teachers and/or influences? Teachers (alphabetically listed): Eddie Bobe, Enzo Carpentieri, Michael Carvin, Joe Chambers, Jim Chapin, Max Chiarella, Jimmy Cobb, Bob Cranshaw, Duduka Da Fonseca, Ian Froman, Roberto Gatto, Billy Hart, Michael Lauren, Victor Lewis, Adam Nussbaum, Portinho, John Riley.

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