Rediscover Italian pride in America

Published: 2010 - January/February, Cultural and Artistic Paths

Her music  genre has been defined as “pop-jazz” by the newspaper “E-Jazz News” and her version of “Caruso” has been selected by iTunes as one of the most beautiful Italian songs of 2008.  Since 2005 she has a fixed presence on the occasion of the Columbus Day Parade, becoming one of the ambassadors of Italian Culture in New York.  The singer and songwriter Giada Valenti is Venetian born, she has accomplished her musical dream by taking to New York,  a repertory that ranges from Jazz to Swing and Italian songs too, she has recorded the CD “Italian Signorina” (2005) and “And I Love You So” (2008.  Her adventure is destined to follow with the recording of a television special for the PBS and, next year with her first official American Tour, that will visit  25 theatres in 25 cities.  –While in 2011, it will be the turn of a show on Broadway on the life of the tenor Mario Lanza.

Giada, What is your professional course and how did you arrive in America?
“Music has always been my passion, without knowing that it would also become my profession.  I studied the piano and I participated in a singing competition up until the final of Castrocaro and to the victory at the San Remo Young Talent of the World in Brussels in 2000.  Then I moved to Holland where I performed on the occasion of the semi-final and in the Final of the European Football Championship and then it was the turn of London, where I recorded my first CD in the famous studios in Abbey Road.  The collaboration with the Danish jazz player Joachim J. Hajslet opened unexpectedly the door to America: in 2004 I was invited to New York, where I immediately felt at home”.

Mina, Ornella Vanoni, Edith Piaf.  How are your relations with the great voices of European singing?
“European music is decisively different from American music.  In Europe,  melodies dominate, while American music is dominated by R & B and soul.  I decided to take the music I love to America, that is the romantic and melodic type, which all the world envies us for.   I speak and sing in many languages and I adore doing this: music touches the hearts of the people, considering the language used.  Edith Piaf is universal and  so are the melodies of Italian songs”.

How much has America influenced your music?
“America has not influenced my music a lot, as much as my way of being and it has taught me to be proud of being Italian.  In recent years I have had the occasion to perform the American and above all the Italian National Anthems for different personalities of the world of show business and of American politicians, such as Paul Sorvino, Joe Mantegna, Isabella Rosellini and the Vice President of the U.S.A. Joe Biden.  Performing and receiving their compliments and esteem for our country and our music have been unforgettable moments that this country has given me and continues to give me”.

What do you feel about representing Italy abroad, especially on the occasion of Columbus Day?
“The Columbus Parade is always a great emotion, thanks to the wonderful atmosphere of joy and pride which makes all the participants stand out.  It is a great honour for me to represent Italy on the red carpet,  in particular this year, as this is the moment: I am Venetian and the official sponsor of the parade is the Region of Veneto”.

In recent years you have performed in important theatres.  What type of stage do you prefer?
“I love large theatres but also the reality of the small jazz clubs.  Surely, though the lights and the large stage in a theatre create a magical and mysterious atmosphere but the relationship with the audience is much more distant.  When you perform in a small jazz club such as “The Irridium” or ”The Feinstein” in New York, the audience is so near that you can feel every bit of their sensations and it is really difficult hiding your emotions”.

For information:
www.giadavalenti.com