May 26 – “I am very happy to be back in New York, because here I feel at home. Representing my music and my country in such a great city makes me happy and proud.” The young Sicilian drummer Gianluca Pellerito is enthusiastic and ready for a big event: on Sunday, June 1 the Highline Ballroom in New York will see him perform along with his quintet during the award ceremony of the Italian Brand Ambassador 2014. The Award is handed out by the Ministry of Economic Development and the Institute of Foreign Trade as recognition to those foreigners who, with their passion, vision and skills, promote Italy and Italian products. Pellerito – the Italian and international jazz drummer revelation born in Palermo twenty years ago – is no stranger to large audiences: he made his debut at 8 at Umbria Jazz, at 14 he was the youngest musician in the world to play at the Blue Note, at 15 he performed for New York Mayor Michael Rubens Bloomberg, at 16 he performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC at the invitation of the Kennedy family, and, two years ago he performed in London with his quintet during the Olympic Games.
