For our first live session of April, we welcome the freshly acquainted New Land Trio to the Floripa stage for an evening of piano led jazz. The three-piece, consisting of Italian pianist composer Emilio Merone (keys), Gaetano Di Giacomo (drums) and our own Jason Simpson on bass, have only recently hit the London jazz circuit again after founding members Emilio and Gaetano decided to pursue the idea of a jazz trio six months ago. Jason joined much more recently but having heard what they have in terms of music, we are pleased to offer the trio an opportunity to play to our regular Sunday night crowd.  With the band still somewhat of an unknown entity to some, we caught up with Gaetano ahead of this weekend’s gig to discuss a little about the band and their style, and delved a little deeper into the drummer’s own career as a musician. Here’s what he had to say…
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Hi Gaetano, to start with can you give us a quick idea of what we can expect on Sunday and what inspires the New Land Trio sound?
On Sunday we would like to bring some positive energy with our original Jazz compositions and hopefully draw you into our world with our meditative melodic moods and some energetic and colourful Latin arrangements. What inspires New Land Trio I suppose is the combination between Emilio with his harmonic progressions and arpeggios in his playing, my drumming which emphasizes the off beat, creating tensions and melodic rhythms, and Jason’s solid Double Bass playing is also an expressive counterpoint to the piano’s lines.
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How did you first get started in music and why did you choose the drums? Did you always want to be a musician?
My first encounter with drums was at the age of four when I was given a small kit by my father who was also a drummer at the time. I always knew I wanted to hit things! From a very young age I found it was easy and natural to keep the rhythm and play along to music.
Looking at the long line of jazz drummers that have come before you, do you have a favourite that still inspires you?
For me there are three drummers that deserve to be mentioned: Brian Blade, Bill Stewart and Jack DeJohnette.
How did you first meet Emilio and when did the idea to start a jazz trio come to you both? Also, do you find that now Jason has joined the band, you all share the same ideas musically?
I met Emilio in a jam session and after playing I found out that we kind (of) shared the same ideas and way of thinking about music. We thought that we had to put this energy together, that’s when the project started. When Jason joined, it felt like the missing piece. In music if you have the right elements you could do great things.
The tracks you’ve laid down so far sound great – can we expect an album of material from the trio at some point? Are you also working on any other projects at the moment?
As busy musicians each of us in the trio have other projects, but we are committed to New Land Trio and we are thinking to do some recordings at some point and hopefully have an album by the end of the year.
If there’s anyone artist you could play the drums for, who would it be?
I always wanted to play with Enrico Pieranunzi for me he is amazing pianist. I also listen to Chris Potter, Joshua Redman and Kenny Garrett a lot, so that would be great!! I do listen to a variety of jazz musicians old and new style.
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Catch Gaetano, Emilio and Jason this Sunday as New Land Trio once again take flight and join us for two live sets of classical jazz sounds from 7.30pm. DJ support this week comes from Jazz Meet residents Rob Coley and Jarred Rice, who’ll be searching the shelves for more goodness to share, both on a mellow and dancefloor friendly tip! We’re also excited to be able to finally endeavour with our free film showing of ‘Les Stances à Sophie’ as part of our continuing Domingo Cineclub. So if you fancy a bit of French cult cinema (complete with Art Ensemble of Chicago soundtrack), Brazilian inspired roast (or two) and a few cheeky cocktails at happy hour prices, pop down a little earlier from around 3.30pm and attempt to cram it all in!