Zenophilia Come On Down (And Follow Us)

Zenophilia is a shapeshifting ensemble, able to suggest a small New Orleans brass band, the 90’s era New York loft scene, or a blues band from Chicago. Despite an abundance of overseas influences, the band is entirely Italian, counting members among the most creative in the contemporary scene, with vast and varied performing experience throughout Europe and the globe. Zeno De Rossi, drummer and bandleader has spent his entire adult life on stage, working with luminaries like Vinicio Capossela, Guano Padano and Mike Patton, but also accompanying Italian jazz legends Franco D’Andrea and Enrico Rava. Piero Bittolo Bon, on (almost all) saxophones, can always be counted on for musically daring contributions, and is known as one of Italy’s most forward-thinking improvisers. Thirty-something trombonist Filippo Vignato is at the forefront of a generation of emerging soloists and improvisers, active in avant-jazz sextet Ghost Horse and collective quartet Pipe Dream. Glauco Benedetti, on tuba, euphonium and pocket trumpet shares space with Vignato in Ghost Horse and is equally at home everywhere from pop to classical music. While originally active as a quartet, the new record Come On Down (And Follow Us) and subsequent tour dates have seen the ensemble expand into a sextet, featuring contributions by legendary vocalist Dean Bowman and percussionist Simone Padovani. Described by the press as a ‘Tone Poet’ and ‘Avant-garde Gospel Singer,’ Bowman has performed and recorded with John Scofield, Don Byron, Lester Bowie and Steven Bernstein. Completing the lineup is Simone Padovani on percussion, with an extraordinary ear for color, whose collaborations include Amiri Baraka, Gianluca Petrella Cosmic Renaissance and many others.