The first meeting between Paolo Zampini and Riccardo Tesi probably dates back to July 1956 in the maternity ward of the Pistoia hospital, as they were born just three days apart, although neither of them has a clear memory of the event. They met again and began spending time together regularly around the age of thirteen, united by a passionate love for Jethro Tull and Ian Anderson, which inspired them to start making music themselves.

They decided to enroll in the music courses of their city’s marching band, but after a few months of studying solfeggio Tesi gave up and embraced the path of oral tradition, later discovering the diatonic accordion. Over the years he became a prominent figure on the international world music scene, collaborating in crossover projects with artists such as Fabrizio De André, Ivano Fossati, Gianluigi Trovesi, Tosca and others.

Zampini, on the other hand, moved to Rome and chose the academic path, graduating in flute, of course. He later became Ennio Morricone’s regular flutist and collaborated with composers such as Nicola Piovani, Luis Enriquez Bacalov, Franco Piersanti, Piero Piccioni and Armando Trovaioli, eventually becoming director of the Florence Conservatory.

About fifty years later, thanks to Paolo’s return to his hometown of Pistoia, the two meet again and this time decide that the moment has finally come to bring their instruments together, attempting to make two seemingly distant musical worlds coexist.

With the collaboration of the Pistoia-born pianist Daniele Biagini (in the significant role of co-author and co-arranger), the original compositions of Camerock were born, where the world-music sound of the diatonic accordion meets the classical timbres of flute, piano and cello; where Chopin swims in the Mediterranean Sea, Ennio Morricone converses with Ian Anderson, and music flies free and without borders. A palette of colors—sober and twilight-like—refined arrangements, intricate rhythmic interplays, instrumental virtuosity, dreamlike melodies and a never-fading love for rock.

The quartet, in addition to Paolo Zampini and Riccardo Tesi, includes on cello the imaginative Eugenia Di Bonaventura, who alongside her specialization in chamber music has collaborated with renowned artists such as Gentle Giant, Premiata Forneria Marconi, Sarah Jane Morris and Antonella Ruggiero, and is also a regular member of the 100 Cellos ensemble led by Giovanni Sollima and Enrico Melozzi.

On piano, Fabrizio Mocata, a composer and arranger with classical and jazz training, who finds in tango the style that best allows him to express his musical poetics. His musical activity has an international scope and is always open to research and experimentation. Among his collaborations are the Cuban singer Omara Portuondo, the Argentine harmonica player Franco Luciani, the accordionist Gianni Coscia, and others.

Camerock – Teaser – Riccardo Tesi & Paolo Zampini

STEVIA (R.Tesi/D.Biagini) – CAMEROCK – Riccardo Tesi & Paolo Zampini
Camerock – Teaser – Riccardo Tesi & Paolo Zampini