ALEXANDER HAWKINS “Dialect Quintet”

The Dialect Quintet is one of the projects conceived by WeStart, the production center of the Novara Jazz festival. Leading it is one of the most acclaimed European pianists internationally: the Englishman Alexander Hawkins. Cohesively united around the musical ideas of the authoritative leader are four young talents, already appreciated in multiple contexts: the Argentine saxophonist Camila Nebbia, the guitarist Giacomo Zanus, the double bassist Ferdinando Romano, and the drummer Francesca Remigi. A former collaborator of Anthony Braxton, Louis Moholo-Moholo, with whom he performed at Bergamo Jazz 2016, Mulatu Astatke, and Roberto Ottaviano, Hawkins is widely recognized as one of the most distinctive composers of his generation, as well as one of the most sought-after pianists. He can be heard live and on record with a wide range of creative musicians, including Nicole Mitchell, Tomeka Reid, Sofia Jernberg, Shabaka Hutchings, and Evan Parker, to name a few. Originally from Buenos Aires and long-time resident in Berlin, Camila Nebbia is a saxophonist, composer, improviser, and visual artist. She has collaborated with Marilyn Crispell, Michael Formanek, Angelica Sanchez, Randy Peterson, Tom Rainey, Kit Downes, and many others. For the American label Relative Pitch, she released the solo sax album Una ofrenda a la ausencia. Giacomo Zanus is one of the most interesting Italian guitarists of the latest generations: he draws inspiration from various musical contexts, from jazz to folk, from post-rock to minimalism and electroacoustic music. Named Best New Italian Talent in the Top Jazz 2023 by Musica Jazz, Ferdinando Romano combines his classical training with a passion for improvised music and synthesizers and electronic music, regularly performing both as a leader and as a sideman. A versatile drummer, innovative composer, and improviser, Francesca Remigi has received numerous accolades: her artistic talent is among the most sought-after in the realm of experimental jazz. She is involved in numerous groups and projects, including the trio Gogoducks.

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