In this blog article, I’ll discuss the origins and evolution of Italy’s Acid Jazz Scene. with Nicola Conte.
I had the opportunity to attend the fifteenth installment of Jazz:Re: Found festival.
Throughout the event, I attended a brilliant panel discussion where I got to listen to important figures who played significant roles in shaping the London Acid Jazz Scene in the early 1990s, together with DJs from the Italian alternative jazz scene of that era, one of whom was Nicola Conte.
Nicola is an Italian DJ, producer, guitarist, and bandleader who has gained recognition for his distinctive contributions to the evolution of Italy’s acid jazz genre.
Growing up in the charming city of Bari in southern Italy, he always had a deep passion for expressing himself through music.
MUSIC AS A POLITICAL VALUE
Nicola began his love affair with music at an early age.
“Music for me has always had a political value, in terms of creating a counterculture in opposition to the mainstream culture of society, and I still retain this kind of idea today.”
As a young DJ, Nicola also made it his mission to spread the message of jazz.
“The music that I was listening to when I started to be involved in Jazz was because I recognized Jazz as a revolutionary force. Discovering the Afro-American culture for my intellectual cultural-political background was important because I have always supported the idea of freedom and self-expression. And when I felt that what was happening around me wasn’t going in that direction, then I had to create an environment on my own terms where this could have happened.”
THE FEZ COLLECTIVE
Inspired by his journeys to London and influenced by what was happening between jazz and clubs in the UK, Nicola embarked on a mission to cultivate an alternative cultural scene by putting on parties with other forward-thinking friends within his hometown, Bari.
This led him to establish the renowned Fez Club – a vibrant space where individuals could fully immerse themselves in an entirely new world inspired by London’s dynamic cultural landscape. In doing so, Nicola laid the groundwork for what would become known as the Italian acid jazz movement.
“I had no idea that this could take place in town like Bari, which in the 90s, was not a cultural centre. Through those house parties that we were doing, we were gatheting people around this kind of music. And when I was that was very fascinating to them, I started to realize that my idea could breakthrough.”
Through his creativity, Nicola has left a mark on the industry while continuing to captivate audiences worldwide with his unique sounds, blending genres from all over the world.
I’m highly grateful for having the chance to sit down with Nicola, as he also shared important advice on spreading culture by studying music and insights for aspiring DJs and musicians who want to express themselves through music.
Enjoy listening! 🎧
In addition, read this blog article: London Jazz Scene w/ Camilla George
TABLE OF CONTENTS
5:05 Perigeo: the first jazz-rock concert at the age of 13
10:10 Music, Jazz, and its political value
14:20 Bari in the 90s and the first Fez Club’s night
18:46 The birth of the term Acid Jazz in Italy
20:43 Acid Jazz: mixing different cultures
23:10 Pursuing your inspiration no matter what it takes
26:02 The courage of not playing safe and exploring new grounds
28:27 “Don’t be afraid to declare what your inspirations are.”
EPISODES LINKS
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