Interview with the winners of the Conad Jazz Contest 2024: Scannapieco - Geremia 5et
We interviewed the winners of the Conad Jazz Contest 2024 for you: Scannapieco- Geremia 5et. The band is made up of Antonio Scannapieco , 24 years old, on trumpet, Pasquale Geremia , 22 years old, on tenor saxophone, Guglielmo Santimone , 23 years old, on piano, Angelo Gregorio , 22 years old, on drums and Vincenzo Nigro , 27 years old, on double bass .
The quintet was born from the idea of young musicians to combine their art in the service of a constant search for sounds. The passion that unites all the members of the group, and the reason why the quintet was born, is the need to express sounds and timbres, intensity and colors dictated by brass and wood: a perfect combination that incorporates jazz music and own traditions. The songs that the quintet proposes have been a source of study and inspiration in recent years by the two soloists who, thanks to the support of this fantastic rhythmic trio, made up of well-known and established musicians in the new jazz panorama, have given life to their ideas.
Here is our interview:
How do you feel after winning the competition? What are your initial emotions and reactions?
We are happy and enthusiastic about this great goal achieved. It wasn’t easy to win, given the great quality of each group, the level of the bands was truly very high! At our proclamation we exploded with joy, since we really didn’t expect it. It wasn’t our first time at the Conad Jazz Contest.
You are not new to the Contest, having participated in past editions. How have you evolved musically in recent years? What do you think gave that extra push to make you win?
Compared to previous years, we have deepened our language and our knowledge by gaining new experiences even abroad. Moments of musical sharing, such as Umbria Jazz and the Conad Jazz Contest, are fuel for young musicians who want to achieve great goals. We always compare ourselves with other young but great musicians, perhaps with influences different from ours; this is a great reason for growth.
Have you had the opportunity to perform on other major stages before entering this competition? How have these experiences influenced you as musicians?
Fortunately we have had many experiences on international stages but basically when we play our music for the public each stage is unique. We give our best for the people who follow us and who enjoy listening to our projects. Obviously Umbria Jazz is a stage that always gives you great sensations that always encourage you to do your best.
How would you describe your quintet’s musical style? What are the main influences and what distinctive elements characterize it?
Our quintet was a source of study after last year’s contest. We decided to take this path thanks to the ratings and influences dictated by the Parisian environment, where we lived for almost a year. The distinctive element that characterizes the quintet is certainly the attention we have towards tradition, which combined with the modern spirit gives the formation a very specific sound.
What do you think struck the jury during your performances? Was there any particular moment that you felt made a difference?
Our energy and passion for the music we play has certainly passed, we don’t know exactly what struck the jury, we like to think that it was our sound as a whole and our determination and confidence in the songs we played.
Who are the band members:
ANTONIO SCANNAPIECO (TUMPET)
Trumpeter of the quintet, Antonio began practicing Jazz with his trumpet at the age of 7. Having finished his classical and jazz studies at the Salerno conservatory, he moved to Paris to gain new experiences and throughout his journey he had the opportunity and honor of sharing the stage with artists such as Mario Biondi, Walter Ricci, Stefano Di Battista , Giovanni Amato, Daniele and Tommaso Scannapieco, Flavio Boltro, Fabrizio Bosso, Sandro and Dario Deidda, The NY Voices and many others.
PASQUALE GEREMIA (TENOR SAX)
Pasquale Geremia, born in 2002, approached the saxophone at the age of 9 with maestro Nicola Palmieri, for about 8 years he studied the classical saxophone method also at high school, until the age of 17 where, thanks to a masterclass with Barry Harris, becomes passionate about the language of Jazz. He completed his studies at the Giueseppe Martucci Conservatory in Salerno under the guidance of Maestro Daniele Scannapieco, in the same city he met the musicians with whom he would play most of his music and with whom he would also share experiences in Italy and abroad in recent years .
GUGLIELMO SANTIMONE (PIANO)
Guglielmo Santimone, pianist and composer. Born in 2001, from Salerno. Despite his young age he boasts a prestigious concert career. Tomorrow’s Jazz Award 2020 and Marco Tamburini Award 2022. He graduated with honors and special mention from Siena Jazz University where he currently teaches piano, theory and ear-training.
VINCENZO NIGRO (DOUBLE BASS)
Vincenzo Nigro was born in Eboli (Salerno), and at a very young age he took his first steps in the world of self-taught music, initially approaching the piano and the guitar until he discovered the electric bass and the double bass. He was admitted to Dario Deidda’s electric bass class at the Martucci Conservatory in Salerno, where he obtained a three-year academic diploma and a master’s degree with honors. He has collaborated and currently collaborates with various musicians on the national and international jazz scene.
ANGELO GREGORIO (DRUMS)
Angelo Gregorio, born in 2001, approached the drums at the age of 3 and subsequently began his studies followed by his father, an established professional of the instrument, then continuing in the prestigious conservatory of Salerno. At the age of 21 he performed and collaborated in various concerts with established artists including: Daniele Scannapieco, Tommaso Scannapieco, Giovanni Amato, Dario Deidda, Sandro Deidda, Alfonso Deidda, Piero Odorici, Aldo Zunino.
In the coming months, we will follow the Scannapieco – Geremia 5et for you in the various stages of the tour dedicated to the winners of the Conad Jazz Contest and get to know their music better. In order not to miss the updates on the band, we invite you to follow the official social channels of the Contest:
Facebook @conadjazzcontest
Instagram @conadjazzcontest