Gianluca Pellerito Quintet - Blue Note New York - March 21st 2016 8pm

Gianluca Pellerito, the 21 year-old Italian drummer, lives and studies in Boston at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. He and his quintet will play on March 21 at 8pm, on one of the most famous stages in the world: the Blue Note in New York. Pellerito is currently the only Italian band leader scheduled in 2016 at the legendary Blue Note in New York.

                       

He will perform with his quintet: Michael Eckroth (Piano), Sheryl Bailey (Guitar), Marco Panascia (Bass), Karen Marie (Singer), and will perform his funky, sparkling and intriguing jazz. In 2009, Gianluca was the world youngest musician to play as band leader at the Blue Note when he was only 14 when he made his debut at Blue Note in Milano.

                       

Gianluca has already released two albums:The first in 2009 is titled "Three Drums Show" with Peter Erskine – Alex Acuña and an orchestra – Etichetta The Brass Group Records – a live recording at the Verdura Theatre in Palermo on July 29, 2009. The second album, "Jazz my Way" Herbie Hancock Tribute, was released in 2013. It was recorded by a quintet at the Umbria Jazz Winter on December 28, 2012 and the concert preview was performed on July 5, 2013, during the opening evening of the Umbria Jazz Summer 2013, for the Emercy Universal label.

                       

He was born in Palermo, Sicily on May 1,1994, His first concert at age 8 took place at the Umbria Jazz 2002 with the Berklee band. His first concert as band leader came when he was 13 with "Gianluca Pellerito and Orchestra" at the Golden Theatre in Palermo when Gianluca was added to the noted repertoire of the Jazz della Fondazione Brass Group. He and an orchestra with 30 musicians attended the event together with well-known artists including John Pizzarelli, Rachelle Ferrell, Billy Childs and others.

                       

Gianluca met Peter Erskine when he was 14 and Erskine invited the young drummer to open his concert. Once back in America, Peter Erskine in an interview with the magazine Rhythm, said, "Gianluca Pellerito reminds me so much of when I was young and I believe he will be my future"

                       

A great friendship follows and two years later it gives life to the live concert and album "Three Drums Show" with three drums on the stage: Erskine's, Gianluca's and Alex Acuña's along with the great orchestra of the Fondazione The Brass Group.

                       

At 16 Gianluca was invited by the Kennedy family to play at the Kennedy Center in Washington. Two tours in the United States will follow, with stops in New York and Washington. In 2011 he was the special guest at a concert of the Incognito. Band leader Bluey Maunick called Gianluca again when the band played at the Blue Note.

I have a special bond with the Blue Note – Gianluca Pellerito stated– the Blue Note is a magical venue. I debuted at the Blue Note in Milano when I was 14 and today being in its historical venue in New York is like a dream come true for me.

                       

Peter Erskine, the person who discovered him, said: "The very first time I heard Gianluca Pellerito playing was with the Orchestra Jazz Siciliana for the Kenton project. It immediately reminded me when I was younger. He is a greatly talented young man. Being on the stage with him was and will still be an honor for me".

                       

Alex Acuña said: "I believe that Gianluca is a great musician and I think I can learn a lot from him. I am looking forward to sharing the stage with him, and with Peter, of course".