May 28 – From the folk beginning to the most recent collaborations, Riccardo Tesi and Banditaliana take a new step in their musical journey : “Maggio” is latest album of the quartet (composed by Tesi, Maurizio Geri, Claudio Carboni and Gigi Biolcati) that reached success on the international musical scene. “This is a new chapter – says Riccardo Tesi – of our trip in the Mediterranean imaginary.” The quartet’s international tour will being in July, with key performances on July 11-13 at the Island Festival in Vancouver, on July 24 in Waidhofen, Austria, on November 27 in Amsterdam, and November 30 in Belsele , Belgium. “Our music embraces the whole of Europe – continues Tesi – and sometimes even crosses the ocean; play abroad is exciting, it gives the opportunity to listen to new trends and start interesting collaborations.” In an imaginery ranking of countries in which they prefer to play, the musician has no doubts: “First is Austria: we had a surprising success there, and the audience is prepared and enthusiastic.” In second place France and Australia. “But even in Italy – says the composer and instrumentalist – there is a good audience.” The 12 tracks of “Maggio” bring a new equilibrium, “to our numerous musical influences.” After re-discovering the diatonic accordion, Tesi revolutionized the image and vocabulary of the popular instrument: “I started playing at 22. I immediately liked its image and sound, and as I started to bring the instrument in different contexts from the one in which it was created.” From folk music, the diatonic accordion arrives in the jazz musical scene and music conservatories. Regarding the contemporary music scene, “the market has changed – says the artist – a few years ago, there was more room for creative music. But now there are few record companies and they sell few products.” The projects for the future include the promotion of the new album, a world tour, and a reinterpretation of the folk show “Bella Ciao,” which will debut on June 11 in Milan and August 20 in Pistoia.
