Centro Columbus, Sala Multimediale, Centro Missionarie del Sacro Cuore, V. S. Francesca Cabrini, 9, Codogno (Lodi)

Carol on tenor sax and flute; Gianni Satta,(tpt, flugel); Angelo Bifezzi (keys); Enzo Frassi (bs); Paolo Mozzoni (dms). This was kind of an experiment on the part of physicist and jazz lover Michele Celebrano, who did a bang-up job of finding a venue and organizing a band that was a total delight to play with. Carlo, the sound man, also sat in on guitar and sounded quite fine! We had all of 56 people in attendance on a Tuesday night!

- Thurs., Oct. 13: 'House concert' with Giovanni Monteforte (guit) and Carmelo Leotta (bs) presso Licia Barcaro, Strada Vicinale Monte Crocetta 4 - Vicenza.  This was the most perfect musical experience of the entire trip!  Here is a letter from the hostess:

Carissimi Carol, Carmelo e Giovanni, ancora una volta sento di mandarvi un grande GRAZIE!! Giovedì sera ci avete regalato qualcosa di assolutamente unico e speciale, ed è stato non solo un piacere ma anche un onore avervi qui a casa mia. Mai mi sarei aspettata di raccogliere nei pochi metri quadri del mio salotto 3 professionisti della musica come voi!Sono veramente felice che abbiate deciso di venire a suonare qui, nonostante non sapeste nulla di me né del posto dove avreste tenuto il concerto, né di quanto poi avreste portato a casa.

Ora sono qui a godermi il sole che entra dalla finestra e ad ascoltare il vostro cd, e rivivo la magia che avete saputo creare l’altra sera.E non c’è modo migliore per iniziare la giornata!Grazie ancora quindi, è stato molto bello conoscervi e se mai vi doveste trovare da queste parti, un bicchiere di vino e …una zuppa calda vi aspettano! Un grosso abbraccio, Licia

The evening changed my entire life. It was an experiment, something I had thought about for ages: the 'house concert'. I found this one through a sub-group in couchsurfing.org. The experience of sitting in a kitchen, not two feet away from 26 intent listeners lined up on benches, breathing in their vibes towards the music and breathing out the music right directly into their souls. This is what resulted in what Lee Konitz would have referred to as the 'connect', the link to one's most innermost message, not showy stuff, not stage prancing but a real message from inside. As such, it was so, so satisfying and moving, both for us and them. So much so, that I felt I could walk out and never play another club, but just stay with this experience and do more of the same forever. Maybe I will, who knows!?

-Friday, October 14, 2011: Trattoria La Vignetta, Via Monte Grappa, 32 22012 - Cernobbio (CO) with Antonio Cervellino (bs) and Carlo Uboldi (pno). Trio gig in a very tiny space, with a very enthusiastic and welcoming owner who plays some electric bass. Wonderful food and the interaction with the certain tables was powerful, although some talking at a corner table interfered with our doing our most sensitive pieces. Carlo is a fine pianist and if I had my druthers, he would always have an upright or grand to play on, instead of a keyboard!

- Sun., Oct. 16:  Art Cafè Ospedaletto with Angelo Bifezzi (pno), Roberto Agostinelli (bs) and drummer Paolo Traino ..with special guest vocalist, 14-year-old Eleonora Losa. 13, Via Del Cristo, 13 - 26864 Ospedaletto Lodigiano LO. I knew it would be my last night and that I'd need to get up early and fly, and that I'd be tired. But hey, the bands were turning out to be so good, I had to try another one. Angelo's my old buddy and I know his playing is great. So now I've added two more marvelous players, Roberto and Paolo. A great night and such a great way to say farewell to Northern Italy before flying. Roberto was the greatest, went out of his way - picked me up and brought me home too.