'Driade' by Sonia Ziccardi

The beguiling talents of singer, songwriter and poet Sonia Ziccardi are beautifully manifested through her debut full-length release, 'Driade'.

Released through Italy's A.MA Records, Ziccardi adds herself to a surprisingly short list when it comes to releases by vocalists for the label.  Francesca Sortino's dynamic projects helped pave the way for the label in its early years while Sanja Markovic's 'Ascension' still holds up as one of the label's most immaculate projects.

While constantly presenting spirited and innovative perspectives on contemporary European jazz, the latest album from Ziccardi fits elegantly within A.MA's impassioned stance on the genre.  And it would appear that Ziccardi couldn't have been more prepared to take this decided step onto centre stage.  

As a highly-educated and highly-decorated vocalist and writer, Ziccardi's successes came early having been admitted to the Bachelor's program in Jazz Singing at the "O. Respighi" Conservatory in Latina and earning a Master's degree in Musical Disciplines with a focus on Jazz Interpretation and Composition, and a First-Level Master's degree in Cantiere Infinito, focusing on choreo-musical improvisation techniques.

Ziccardi's ardent affections for her art have taken her to stages across her native Rome, across Italy and around Europe showcasing her passions as an fervent performer.  But even more than that, Ziccardi is very much to a storyteller at heart - as a published poet, Ziccardi searches for the unspoken narratives that are intertwined discretely all around us which helps to cultivate a nuanced musical perspective. 

And the notion of storytelling certainly finds its way into the narrative of 'Driade'...

'Driade' (or Dryad or Dryades) references tree nymphs as outlined in Greek mythology.  Often hiding from humans, dryads were considered to be the embodiment of nature forging both spiritual, and physical, connections to specific areas and individual trees.  Such was the connection that if the tree died then so did the nymph who was attached to it.  Dryads were protectors of nature and entities that helped to provide balance between mankind and the environment.

And with that understanding, Ziccardi's connections to the ideals of dryads seem to become clearer.  While the dryads assumed the role of protectors, Ziccardi does also in ways that pertain to her artistry - rooting herself to her ideals, culture and commitment to craft.  Considering those principles on a wider landscape however, we have the notion of art's evolution as it struggles to reason with the emergence of AI technologies that continually permeate their way into various facets of the art we consume.

Backed by an incredible ensemble of supporting musicians, the musical landscape of 'Driade' is brought to life with help from pianist Vittorio Solimene, double-bassist Alessandro Bintzions, drummer Federico Chiarofonte and saxophonist Gabriel Marciano.  The music throughout 'Driade' is beautifully composed and exquisitely realised - a confident jazz record that teases traces of folkloric inspiration with more than a splash of 60's soul, as perfectly conveyed through 'Someone Better'.

'Driade' is very much a statement of intent - one that finds Sonia Ziccardi at the project's core; providing balance between tradition and inevitable change.