Heidi Li - Sings Italian Dialects (2022) [Hi-Res]

Heidi Sings Italian Dialects is a project by Hong Kong-born jazz singer-songwriter Heidi Li, where she explores Italy’s rich cultural heritage by performing traditional folk songs in various local dialects.

Originally conceived as a series of YouTube videos, the project showcases Heidi traveling throughout Italy, collaborating with local musicians to breathe new life into these time-honored songs.

A key contributor to this project is pianist Manuel Magrini, a long-time collaborator whose poetic and improvisational style is integral to the project’s unique sound. Together, Heidi and Manuel blend voice and piano to reinterpret classics such as the Trentino folk song “Serenada a Castel Toblin,” the Neapolitan classic “Era de Maggio,” and “No potho reposare” from Sardinia, all through the lens of jazz.

Inspired by her years living in Italy, Heidi created this project to celebrate the country’s linguistic and cultural diversity. The project was brought to life on stage for the first time in October 2016 at the States General of the Italian Language in the World, held at Palazzo Vecchio in Florence and organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

With the support of the Italian Cultural Institute Hong Kong & Macao, the album Heidi Sings Italian Dialects was published in 2022, featuring the continued collaboration between Heidi Li and Manuel Magrini. Together, they have crafted a deeply resonant and innovative celebration of Italy’s musical and cultural diversity.