Z Project

«Z Project» is a heartfelt tribute by singer Maria Grazia Scarzella to Riccardo Zegna, her mentor and collaborator, and one of the most prominent Italian jazz pianists and composers. Driven by gratitude and sincere friendship for Zegna, Giampaolo Casati enthusiastically joined the project, offering passionate support and professionalism to the singer from Savona on this evocative journey. The project also marks Scarzella’s impressive debut as a leader. A top–tier ensemble that includes the aforementioned trumpeter from Genoa, Paolo Birro on piano, Aldo Zunino on double bass and Alfred Kramer on drums, accompanies Scarzella in this excellent tribute. Zunino and Kramer, like Scarzella, had the opportunity to collaborate with Zegna on several occasions. The vibrancy of the Ligurian jazz scene is particularly embodied by the Bansigu Big Band, a jazz orchestra founded in 1991 by key contributors such as Giampaolo Casati and Piero Leveratto. The latter contributed to the project by writing the album's liner notes. In «Z Project», we find three original arrangements of jazz standards that Zegna particularly loves – including a lesser–known tune by early Ellington followed by an original composition, I’m Reminiscing Duke –alongside six compositions by the Turin–born pianist to which Maria Grazia Scarzella added her lyrics: one is in Italian and five in English. The result is excellent in every way: from the vocal interpretation of the leader, who is still relatively unknown outside her region but is sure to be a delightful discovery for many jazz lovers, to the accompaniment enriched by stunning solos from her four extraordinary fellow musicians. In his liner notes, Leveratto describes Riccardo Zegna as a “man–music,” and he has every reason to do so. Melodies that transform into beautiful songs – such as Children’s Love Song, a delicate ballad, the intricate and infectious Iris Blues Dance, or the nostalgic Goodbye Latin Farewell, infused with Latin American flavors – stand as a testament to this.