Trumpeter Carlo Nardozza (°1982) is a born talent and the best trumpeter of his generation. You don't even need to take our word for it. French bassist Henri Texier also calls him "un très grand talent" and has enlisted him in his international band.

This friendly chap from Limburg studied at the Maastricht conservatory, where he started his own quintet. Together, this crew of like-minded souls conquered the jazz stages in the Benelux, Germany, France, Switzerland and Italy, at lightning speed. In 2006, they won the Jerry Van Rooye-award for Trendsetting Jazz Band at the Jazztival in Maastricht. A few months prior, they won the Prize for Best Composition at the Tremplin Jazz Concours in Avignon. Nardozza's winning composition, The Dozzy Suite, pulls together all his major influences, ranging from Dave Douglas to Italian folk music. It’s the story of his growing up in the multicultural society around the Limburg cole mines.

After the success of their debut Making Choices, the suite was immortalized on a second CD Winterslag, with guest musician Gwen Cresens (Papillon, Tanguedia, Arno…) on accordion. The Carlo Nardozza Quintet performs music from all over the globe. Flamenco, musette, samba, hard bop and a few sprinklings of free-style improvisation.

(c) JazzLab Series 2009