With his translucent playing, alto and soprano sax player Stefano di Battista, born in Rome, won wide acclaim at an early age. When di Battista had just started playing on the professional circuit, he was asked by Michel Petrucciani to join his sextet and super drummer Elvin Jones also wanted to work with the talent who had recently graduated from the conservatory in the Italian capital. In 1997 he debuted with his CD Volare. This earned him a contract with jazz label Blue Note. At an earlier edition of this festival, di Battista paid tribute to his big hero Charlie Parker. He remained consciously close to the original Parker compositions, out of respect for the musical genius. On Trouble Shootin', recorded in Paris, di Battista finds his own way, guided by Blue Note's great producer Michael Cuscuna, without keeping to a single style. From bebop to bossa nova, and even jazz rock! Stefano di Battista is nominated for the Paul Acket Award this year.
