The “Voice ‘n’ Bass” Duo is Back!

After having charmed a wide audience in Italy and in France, the Italian “Voice ‘n’ Bass” duo composed by the exceptional vocalist Petra Magoni and former Avion Travel bassist Ferruccio Spinetti will finally return to New York on Tuesday September, 23. The appointment, 7:30 pm at Joe’s pub, will be enriched by the appearance of the Tenco Prize winner Pacifico, who for the occasion will first debut in the US.

The duo has for years enchanted the public with a sinuous combination of voice and double bass, paying a felt and due tribute to the milestones of the Italian and French musical panorama. In their works, songs by Lucio Battisti, Jacques Higelin, Fabrizio de André, Adriano Celentano, and Jacques Brel have always been masterly accompanied by contemporary pieces of emerging artists like Pacifico and Cristina Donà, as well as by the duo’s own originals.

Magoni and Spinetti have already published two albums of great success, “Musica Nuda” (2004) and “Musica Nuda 2” (2006). In 2007 they also produced two live recordings, Musica Nuda CD and DVD, taped in France.

Acclaimed by both French and Italian press and critics, who laud them for their 'original formula' and 'eclectic interpretation', in June 2008 they  produced a new work, “55/21”. Translated in both Italian and French and released on Blue Note, the album gets its title from the “Cabala Napoletana” - a folkloristic numerology well known in the city of Naples, Southern Italy: the number 55 represents music, while the number 21 a naked woman.

This new work follows the same philosophy of the previous ones: the aim is still to “undress” each piece of music, preserving at the same time its intimate essence. Thus the artists confirm once again their belief in the significance of “musical silence”, which they claim is too often disregarded. 

Several artists have given their contribution to the realization of "55/21": the most acclaimed jazz pianist in Italy Stefano Bollani (Petra’s husband), the jazz instrumentalist Nicola Stilo, and the French guitarist Sanseverino are some of the names to be mentioned. 

The result is the usual, exquisite, minimalist alchemy that has assured the duo a lasting celebrity for years. They now return to New York in what promises to be a memorable performance.

                                                                                                                                        (M.M.)