Federico Calcagno & The Dolphians - Face The Music (2025)

The time has come for us to face the music: to look in the mirror and confront the responsibility for our actions—or inactions. This music is born from the joy of playing together, but also from reflections on our times, which seem to be slowly forgetting fundamental values such as dialogue, peace, humanity, respect, and freedom.

Six years after the release of our first album From Another Planet, dedicated to the music of Eric Dolphy, this new work marks a step forward in the interplay, composition, improvisation, and stylistic direction of my longest-standing and dearest group.

The pieces were written over an extended period, from 2020 to 2024. In recent years, we’ve expanded our sonic palette by incorporating elements of world music as well as hip-hop, as can be heard throughout the album—without ever abandoning our artistic roots: Eric Dolphy, and more broadly, the spirit of innovation found in the jazz avant-garde of the early 1960s.

I would like to warmly thank Anais, Francesca, Davide, and Beatrice, who joined us as guest artists and brought their invaluable contributions; and above all Gianluca, Luca, Andrea, Stefano G., and Stefano Z. for always being present and giving your very best since the beginning of this shared journey. A special thank you also to Alessandro for taking such great care of our sound in the studio.