Italian Jazz: Nature & Legends – Romano & Iacoviello

January 8, 2026, 5:30 PM

Though geographically separated by over 600 miles within Italy – one rooted in the northern region of Lombardy, the other in the southeastern corner of Puglia, at the heel of the Italian boot – two new albums share a striking artistic sensibility. Both feature the talents of bassist Ferdinando Romano, and both demonstrate a deep listening to the sounds of nature and the stories around us, and how those sounds resonate within us.

Romano and trumpeter Tommaso Iacoviello, both rising stars in the Italian jazz scene, draw the essence of their music from this connection. Romano’s album, “The Legends of Otranto,” is a six-part suite inspired by the myths surrounding the magical natural landscapes and artistic treasures of the Apulian city of Otranto and its surrounding areas.

Iacoviello’s album, “Birds,” is an invitation – a call, really – to pay closer attention to the sounds of the natural world, and it does so itself, notably in Valsolda on the northern shore of Lake Lugano in the province of Como. Birdsong and its distinct, repetitive patterns serve as the starting point for Iacoviello’s compositions and the improvisations that follow. The release underscores a growing trend in jazz to incorporate environmental sounds and themes, reflecting a broader cultural interest in nature and sustainability.

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