4 U
This project was born of Valentina Black’s deep love for jazz and bebop, a passion she had nurtured since her earliest years. Drawing on that devotion, she set out to create a wholly improvised album built on a sound rooted in jazz and funk. To bring the vision to life, she called upon some of the finest jazz musicians in the country — seasoned session players who had also lent their talents to some of Italian pop music’s most celebrated names: trumpeter James Thompson, known for his work with Zucchero Fornaciari; Daniele Tedeschi, the longtime drummer for Vasco Rossi; and Davide Ghidoni, a name equally well known among the great figures of jazz. And then there is Bruno Marini, whose towering international reputation in jazz is matched by a storied history of collaborations with legendary musicians.
Valentina Black: Singer, Dancer, Pianist, Organist, Composer, Producer
James Thompson: Musician Singer · Saxophonist · Flautist
Bruno Marini: Baritone Sax
Davide Ghidoni: Trumpet
Daniele Tedeschi: Drums
Also featuring: Jon John Robinson, Luis Cancion, Jimmy Carl Black
Bruno Marini has recorded over 100 LPs and CDs of jazz and blues. Among others, he has performed with Jack McDuff, Shirley Scott, Steve Lacy, Gary Bartz, Benny Golson, Sal Nistico, Paul Jeffrey, Nat Adderley, Kenny Burrell, Mal Waldron, Donald Garrett, Bobby Durham, Albert “Tootie” Heath and Jimmy Carl Black.
Davide Ghidoni has recorded with Mina, Adriano Celentano, Eros Ramazzotti, Ligabue, Elio e le Storie Tese, Claudio Baglioni, Enzo Jannacci, Gigi D’Alessio, Paolo Belli, Amy Stewart, Ana Popovic, Andrea Mingardi, Ray Mantilla, Sergio Caputo, Fabio Concato, Marco Masini, Eugenio Finardi, Gianluca Grignani, Alexia, Dirotta su Cuba and Bugo. He has performed in concerts and tours with Paolo Belli, Elio e le Storie Tese, Adriano Celentano, Bob Mintzer, Enrico Rava, Solomon Burke, Johnny Dorelli, Lou Marini & the Blues Brothers, and Christian De Sica, and is currently on a world tour with Ana Popovic.