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Rating: Rita Colantonio is already known as an actress and voice actress, with numerous appearances in Italian films and TV series including "Solo un padre" by Luca Luccini, "Letters to Juliet" and "La seconda notte di nozze" by Pupi Avati. Recently, her short film "Donne di sabbia" participated in the Cannes Film Festival in the Short Film Corner section.
Now Rita Colantonio is releasing "By My Side" with the Verona label Maxy Sound, her first album with original tracks, all written and sung by her. It is easy to notice the influences of the great "ladies of jazz": from Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone to today's great performers Diane Schuur, Cassandra Wilson, Diana Krall, Norah Jones, Sophie Milman, Shirley Horn.
The album unfolds in a captivating mix of blues, jazz, irony, sweetness, and sensuality in which Rita showcases excellent interpretative skills even in singing. Each track tells a story, a little film, a snapshot of emotions. The songs have a pop structure but are jazzy in the choice of rhythms (from swing to bossa nova) and in the use and selection of instruments. Rita's voice is excellently accompanied by the brass of Fabio Baù, Kile Gregory, Piero Odorici, and Max Negri. The rhythm section is enhanced by the electric bass of Larry Mancini and the double bass of Carmelo Leotta, while the magnificent solos of maestro Claudio Sebastio weave on the piano.
Rita convinces as a singer and a songwriter, as well as a director and actress. "By My Side" is definitely an album worth listening to and can introduce even those not passionate about jazz to the genre.
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