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Nick Mazzarella

Siena Sessions

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Forthcoming August 7th, 2026

Corbett vs. Dempsey celebrates its first release featuring Nick Mazzarella.

One of the critical figures in Chicago's creative music scene, alto saxophonist Nick Mazzarella has been a mainstay for over 25 years as a leader, composer, and player. This gorgeous recording was made at Shape Shoppe Paradiso, the Italian studio of former Chicagoan Griffin Rodriguez. Mazzarella was introduced to bassist Silvia Bolognesi by cellist Tomeka Reid, and he began informally playing with Silvia and drummer Christiano Calcangile in 2016. Seven years later, Bolognesi invited Mazzarella to play with her quartet at the Hyde Park Jazz Festival and to tour a bit with them; she then invited him to Italy, where they performed and recorded, and in 2025 they convened again, this time allowing time for a trio session focused on Mazzarella's original music, all of it previously unrecorded or written specifically for the occasion. Mazzarella, Bolognesi, and Calcagnile added trumpeter Emanuele Marsico for quartets on two pieces. Covering a breadth of stylistic terrain, from three open improvisations to piquant balladry and freebop heat, Siena Sessions presents Mazzarella's uncompromising vision with grace and precision. Molto bene, Mazzarella!

  1. Echi Senesi (Sienese Echoes) [07:17]
  2. Anima I [02:13]
  3. Piazza Del Campo [04:26]
  4. Anima II [03:39]
  5. Sacred Soil [04:08]
  6. The Peregrine [09:41]
  7. Anima III [03:53]
  8. Last Light [08:06]
  9. Nevertheless [07:32]

Nick Mazzarella – alto saxophone

Silvia Bolognesi – bass

Cristiano Calcagnile – drums

with Emanuele Marsico – trumpet (tracks 6 and 9)

All compositions by Nick Mazzarella (BMI), except tracks 2, 4, and 7 spontaneously composed by Mazzarella/Bolognese/Calcagnile.

Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Griffin Rodriguez at Shape Shoppe Paradiso in Siena, Italy

Graphic Design by Mike Dyer/Remake

Cover image: Ambrogio Lorenzetti, Allegoria ed effetti del Buono e del Cattivo Governo (detail), 1338, fresco, Palazzo Pubblico, Siena.

Produced by Nick Mazzarella.

CvsDCD129