Aria – Blind Eyes and Find That Man [Double-Single]

By 44faced on Feb 15, 2024 in Music - 0 Comments
Aria - Blind Eyes

The new double-single by Italian composer, Aria: “Blind Eyes” and “Find That Man,” sung by the New York jazz artist Velvet Belle. Both are sensual jazz tracks with features of other genres and instrumentation, like Portuguese fado, horn sections, and medieval instruments.

Aria (real name Mariano Schiavolini) is the mastermind behind these songs. An Italian composer and founding member of the progressive rock group Celeste, Aria has worked in many genres and with artists around the world, including Miriam Makeba’s backing group, the Soweto gospel choir, and Peter Gabriel.

Stream Aria – “Blind Eyes” and “Find That Man”: [Double-Single]:

Follow Aria:

More about the Double-Single Release: Two bewitching modern jazz tunes, produced in collaboration with none other than Peter Gabriel at his personal studio in Bath, England, and acclaimed New York jazz singer Velvet Belle. Velvet Belle (Joanna Teters) and Mariano Schiavolini, aka ARIA, have created a unique sound. Joanna Teters, aka Velvet Belle, is a dynamo in the American jazz scene. Even in Italy, fans adore her for having sung at the Umbria Jazz Festival. Her impassioned song is reminiscent of voices of the past, like Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, and Nina Simone.

“Blind Eyes” (ISRC TCAHR2357) and “Find That Man” (ISRC TCAHT2446865) were both performed on the piano by Aria, along with the band, which included Miriam Makeba’s backing vocalists. These important musicians, following the death of Mama Africa, collaborated with major African and American artists representing the best sounds of jazz music from those continents. The singles are also fused with soul and 80s-style funk, featuring the popping technique of Peter Sklair, bassist for Manfred Mann, in line with the style of Bernard Edwards of Chic. Mariano’s piano dialogues with the piano of Paul Hanmer, the great international pianist of the Keith Jarrett school.

Aria’s two singles contain classical influences, like the orchestral clarone, medieval instruments unusual in jazz, such as the piva, the bagpipe, and medieval trumpets, which can be heard in the finale of “Blind Eyes.” Also playing a pivotal role is gospel jazz great Ayo Solanke’s beautiful tenor sax. In “Find That Man,” listen for the Portuguese Fado-inspired harmonies. Aria breathes new life into the experimental jazz genre, contaminating it with classical, progressive rock, and world music, and it’s all yet to be discovered.

Listen to “Blind Eyes” on Spotify, and YouTube. Listen to “Find That Man” on Spotify, and YouTube.

Follow 44faced

eBook

Advertisement