Francesco Turrisi: Grigio

European jazz musicians of recent generations have been keen to forge identities of their own, distinct from the blues-
based American form . One of their most productive sources has been early music; ancient songs and melodies have a simplicity and authenticity that make them ripe for recomposition. Multi-instrumentalist Francesco Turrisi has mined the rich seams of European folk and early music, in particular those of his native Italy and his adopted Ireland, for the past decade. Irish sean-nós singer Róisín Elsafty and Catalan early music vocalist Clara Sanabras share vocal duties here on a fascinating set that ranges from 17th-century Italian songs to John Zorn. There is solid and sympathetic support from a pocket chamber orchestra that includes cellist Kate Ellis, saxophonist Nick Roth, bassist Dan Bodwell and drummer Seán Carpio. francescoturrisi.com