Raffaele Casarano

Raffaele Casarano at Colours Hoxton

Raffaele Casarano, saxophonist, composer, producer, and a leading figure of Italy’s New Jazz Generation, is an artist whose roots are firmly anchored in his homeland, Salento in southern Italy. Through his phrasing and artistic work, he reinterprets the sound of the Afro-American diaspora, opening it to contemporary influences and to connections with ‘distant worlds’that his music makes feel familiar.

This is evident in his collaborations with internationally acclaimed artists, interpreters of diverse musical languages and cultural traditions, including Richard Bona, Sting, Noa, Nguyen Le, Rhani Krija, Nicolas Vicaro, and Paolo Fresu, who welcomed him to his Tuk Music label, among many others. It is also reflected in his extensive touring across Africa, Brazil, South Korea, Russia, and Europe, including projects such as the ‘Sounds of Mirrors Tour’with Dhafer Youssef and the ‘Unstatic Tour’with Manu Katché.

His artistic journey has resulted in seven albums released as a bandleader, as well as participation in more than 100 recordings as a co-leader and collaborator. The European tour brings Raffaele Casarano to the stage for a series of concerts revisiting key works from throughout his career. It also offers a unique opportunity to announce live the release of his new album, scheduled for spring 2027 on the prestigious German record label ECM, led by Manfred Eicher, whose catalog has chronicled the finest international jazz for decades.