UP by Pericopes

Since releasing These Human Beings (2015) and Legacy (2018), Pericopes+1 have been rigorously touring the world, despite living oceans apart — New York City, Paris and Milano. The saxophone, piano and drums power-trio “demonstrate power and intention” (Downbeat – USA) plus grit and creativity that has earned recognition from both industry pros and fans. This “cleverly unorthodox trio” (Musica Jazz – Italy) has been described as “an original, stylistically interesting” (Concerto – Austria) cross-genre band that “belongs to a new generation” (Jazz ‘N’ More – Switzerland) of European jazz.

UP is the new chapter of Pericopes+1’s evolution. UP is a simple word with multiple meanings: Hope in a society where people always look down at their phones. A reminder to lift our heads, enhance our perspectives and create positive change. A forward, ascending direction that artists and civilizations require to survive. Pericopes+1 draws on these inspirations to connect stories, melodies, rhythms and electronics with the past, present and future.

UP expresses life joy in the lyrical La Rentrée, and simplicity and space in Wonderland. Songs like Danza di Kuwa and Ucronia develop distinct rhythmic motifs, aimed to take the listener into alternative worlds, and awaken from the apathetic state that society holds us in. Vernizzi’s edgy Disco Gagarin and the softer Earth’s Shape are tributes to human victory — inspired by Jurij Gagarin, the first man to explore outer space. Sgobbio’s Martyrlied reinvents an ancient Lutheran Kirchenleider, while Gorod Malinov symbolically reimagines Osip Mandelstam’s prose. Pericopes+1 welcomes their first recorded cover song, Sultans of Swing, however distant and fragmented it may be from the original Dire Straits version.

Pericopes is a transatlantic duo/trio ft. Emi Vernizzi (sax) Alessandro Sgobbio (piano, fender rhodes) + Nick Wight (drums).

It is described by Musica Jazz Magazine as “a cleverly unorthodox trio”, and “an authentic surprise” by All About Jazz.

After 8 successful international tours — performing 200 shows across the USA, China, UK and Europe — Pericopes+1 releases its new album UP in March 2020.

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