Choropo: A Transatlantic Musical Project by Filippo Gambetta and Alessandro Scotto d’Aniello

Duo Choropo – Filippo Gambetta and Alessandro Scotto d’Aniello – Choropo (Visage Music s.a.s. di Claudio Carboni, 2024)

The album Choropo is a stimulating collaboration between Genoese musicians Filippo Gambetta (accordion and Brazilian mandolin) and Alessandro Scotto d’Aniello (seven-string Brazilian guitar). Together, they intertwine Brazilian choro, Venezuelan joropo, and European folk traditions with original compositions.

At its core, Choropo is a dialog between instruments and cultures. Gambetta and Scotto d’Aniello’s duo is augmented by guest musicians contributing percussion, flute, saxophone, and piano.

The album title itself brings together two beloved genres: Brazilian choro, a music style born in Rio de Janeiro in the early 20th century with roots in jazz and Afro-Brazilian rhythms, and Venezuelan joropo, a lively traditional dance music in triple time.

The repertoire spans cultures and eras. In terms of Brazilian choro, the duo reinterprets “Pagão” by Pixinguinha, a foundational figure in choro; as well as ‘Sorriso de Cristal” by Luiz Americano, featuring soprano saxophone. “Louco por Música” by Portinho adds a jazz-infused twist, while Gambetta’s original piece “Andorinhões” celebrates springtime in Genoa.

You can hear European folk influences on tracks like “Nany,” a homage to valse musette by Joseph Colombo; and “Lo Scapolo,” an Italian traditional waltz by accordion innovator Wolmer Beltrami. The graceful slow mazurka Upupa evokes a dreamlike atmosphere, with glockenspiel notes adding an ethereal touch.

You’ll find Venezuelan rhythms on a medley of Venezuelan merengue (Nicolasito and El Porfiao) and joropo pieces (Pa’ oriente, compay and El Avispero / El Mercado Oriental) present intricate rhythms and dynamic compositions.

Lastly, we have original compositions such as “Baião Mediterrão” by Scotto d’Aniello, inspired by northeastern Brazilian traditions, and “Tarantatré,” an energetic tarantella symbolizing the album’s culmination.

Musicians: Filippo Gambetta: accordion, bandolim, triangle, cajon, brushes, shaker, udu; Alessandro Scotto D’Aniello: seven-string classical guitar

Guest Musicians: Saulo Giovannini: pandeiro, tamborim (Andorinhões, Pagão); Fabio Vernizzi: electric piano (Louco por Música); Giulio Gianì: soprano sax (Sorriso de Cristal); Marco Moro: flute (Baião Mediterrão); Thomas J. Milner: tambourine (Tarantatré); Rebecca Roger Cruz: maracas (Pa’ Oriente, Compay); and Marco Spiccio: glockenspiel (Upupa).

Credits
Recorded live in Genoa, Spring 2024
Mixing and Mastering: Alessandro Mazzitelli
Artwork: Fabio Ruwett
Cover painting by: Marinella Saccuta

Track list:T

1. Nany (03:43) – Joseph Colombo
2. Sorriso de Cristal (04:06) – Luiz Americano do Rego
3. Nicolasito / El Porfiao (03:46) – Pedro Oropeza Volcán/Alberto Muñoz
4. Pagão (03:46) – Alfredo da Rocha Viana Filho
5. Upupa (04:18) – Filippo Gambetta
6. Louco por musica (04:40) – Alberto Porto Filho
7. Andorinhões (02:28) – Filippo Gambetta
8. Pa’ oriente, compay (02:38) – Alberto Valderrama
9. Lo Scapolo (03:28) – Wolmer Beltrami
10. El Avispero / El Mercado Oriental (04:16) – Alberto Valderrama/Filippo Gambetta
11. Baião Meriterrão (04:25) – Alessandro Scotto d’Aniello
12. Tarantatré (02:40) – Filippo Gambetta