'Celebrating the Music of Michel Petrucciani', a new CD recorded by Tommaso Starace's Italian Quartet, now out on Universal/EmArcy Label is a project dedicated entirely to the music of the great French pianist. Petrucciani was very much respected by the American Jazz Community and around the world for his extraordinary technique, elegance of execution, and his charismatic energy conveyed through his many memorable performances and compositions. On the CD and in concerts the Quartet performs some of the most popular tunes from his extensive repertoire - Petrucciani led his band over many years recording a total of 32 albums. Two fantastic musicians have joined the Quartet as guests on the new album: Italian trumpet star Fabrizio Bosso and UK's vibraphone virtuoso Roger Beaujolais.

Both Tommaso's quartets ( UK and Italian) have experienced a very fruitful 2011. The release of the previous album 'Blood & Champagne' gave the opportunity to the young Italian saxophonist to tour extensively and visit some of the major jazz clubs and festivals in United Kingdom, Italy and Switzerland. Events and venues included: Brecon Jazz Festival, Avezzano Jazz Festival, Blue Note Milano, Piacenza, Torino, Biella and Salumeria della Musica Jazz Clubs, Lichfield and Colchester Arts, Wakefield and Southampton Jazz Clubs, Queens Elizabeth Hall Commuter Jazz, Chur Jazz Club and many others.. The album has been well received by jazz critics around the UK and Italy:

'An exciting talent, Starace is developing a seriously impressive body of work' - Bruce Lindsay - (www.allaboutjazz.com)

'He soars assertively when needed, cajoles and caresses with 'molto' lyricism on the ballads and demonstrates unequivocally that it is possible for contemporary jazz to be accessible'. Lance Liddle - ( Bebop Spoken Here)

'Blood & Champagne' unveils a bandleader possessing a flair for creative interpretation'. Robbie Gerson - ( audaud.com)

'..the title Blood & Champagne, conjuring up as it does life's intoxicating intensity, is well chosen: this is a heady, exuberant but affecting album'. Chris Parker

'La sezione ritmica che lo accompagna lo fa in modo egregio e moderno. oscillante fra neoclassicismi ed uno swing ispirato ai modelli americani, dando cosi all'album nel suo complesso una sua precisa individualita' che lo distingue da altre produzioni simili'. Vittorio Lo Conte - (italia.allaboutjazz.com)

You can listen to Tommaso's recent interview by Helen Mayhew on Jazz FM discussing his music and the production of 'Blood & Champagne', and also to Ukjazzradio.comwho selected 'Blood & Champagne' as one of the best CD's to be reviewed in a while.

Tommaso has performed and collaborated with many great musicians including Dave Liebman, Kenny Wheeler, Billy Cobham, Jim Mullen, Liam Noble, Jonathan Gee, Roger Beaujolais, Paolo Pellegatti, Attilio Zanchi, Fabrizio Bosso, Tino Tracanna, Paolo Fresu, Gianni Giudici and Academy Award Winning composer Dario Marianelli. He continues to seek inspiration and nurture his jazz expertise by taking part in jazz seminars and classes led by some of the greatest musicians alive, including Dave Liebman, Miguel Zenon, Vincent Herring, Ted Nash.