Italian Groove Collective

Here's the translation of the Italian text into English:

A tribute to the stars of Soul-Jazz-Funk music with a special international guest

After the release of two singles and the first album of the Italian Groove Collective, the national collective combining Groove with Jazz and Funk, is coming together for a unique, unmissable, and exclusive event at Asino Che Vola in Rome on March 15, 2025.

**ITALIAN GROOVE COLLECTIVE**
*i>A Tribute to the Masters of Soul*
**Special guest**: the English pianist and singer, **Xantoné Blacq**.

He will be accompanied by three members of the project:
**Costantino “Kosta” Ladisa** on saxophone,
**Matteo Carlini** on electric bass, and
**Andy Bartolucci** on drums.

The repertoire will pay tribute to the great figures of this musical genre, ranging from Roberta Flack to Michael Jackson, from Stevie Wonder to Herbie Hancock, from Roy Ayers to Amy Winehouse.
Expect some surprises!

**Xantoné Blacq**: Vocals and keyboards
Considered one of the most important talents in Soul music from across the channel, he collaborated for years with Amy Winehouse as a pianist and singer. He has also recorded with Mark Ronson, Earth Wind & Fire, Nigel Kennedy, and many others.

**Costantino Ladisa**: Saxophone
With the band ADIKA PONGO for years, he founded the Da Nu Jazz 4et and performed with artists including Lionel Richie, Norma Jean Wright-Luci Martin-Alfa Anderson from CHIC, Eric Marienthal, Tom Kennedy, Paul Jackson, Fred Wesley, Vanessa Haynes from Incognito, Frank McComb, Leroy Gomez Santa Esmeralda, Xantoné Blacq, Mike Francis, Niccolò Fabi, and many more.

**Andy Bartolucci**: Drums
He studied with all the greats of the genre: from Steve Gadd to Dave Weckl, from Peter Erskine to Greg Hutchinson. He played with Dick Halligan from Blood Sweat & Tears and Greg Cohen from the band of John Zorn and Elvis Costello. In pop, he has played with Alex Britti, Mimmo Locasciulli, Syria, Loredana Bertè, Grazia Di Michele, and many others.

**Matteo Carlini**: Electric Bass
Considered among the best young Italian bassists, he earned two diplomas in electric bass from Berklee College of Music in Boston and has played on TV shows like Domenica In and Riserva Indiana for artists such as Laura Pausini, Claudio Baglioni, Fabio Concato, Fiorella Mannoia, Jovanotti, and many more.

**The IGC project** involved 55 well-known musicians, all professionals recognized either as soloists or as solid members of the bands of big names in Italian music. They came together during the lockdown to give life to a new project that aspires to greatness. Not only the desire to be together and make music, but what unites them is also the drive to create something new and of great artistic value while being representative of a specific genre, yet approachable even for those who are not regular followers of a particular musical genre.