On June 2nd, two shows will tell the story of Italian identity in the world through the voice of a young jazz singer.
On the occasion of the Italian Republic Day, next June 2, 2025, the famous Blues Alley in Washington, DC, will host a special evening with Simona Daniele, an Italian jazz singer with a powerful voice and an international reputation. Two performances are scheduled, at 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM, in which the artist will perform a repertoire that represents a truly autobiographical musical narrative, built around the influences that have shaped her personal and professional journey.
Photo Credit: Daniel Stewart
From Calabria to Monza, then Milan, and finally New York: the story of Simona Daniele
Born in Calabria and raised in Monza, Simona Daniele She built the foundation of her musical education at the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory in Milan, where she earned both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in jazz singing. Her journey was guided by two pillars of Italian jazz: Tiziana Ghiglioni e Attilio Zanchi, who transmitted to her not only technique and sensitivity, but also a profound vision of music as an expressive language.
In 2022, thanks to a Fulbright scholarship, the artist moved to the United States to continue her studies and earn a second master's degree in Jazz Performance. This crucial step led her to New York, where she now lives permanently and has found fertile ground to cultivate her art.
New York, home of jazz and new artistic home
It was in the vibrant New York music scene that Simona consolidated her artistic identity, finding a context that allowed her to fully express herself as a jazz singer. «Here I found a system that recognizes the value of this profession – he says – and offers concrete opportunities for growth and comparison»In New York, Simona immersed herself in new collaborations, expanding her repertoire and actively contributing to the city's musical life. Today, she also hosts a monthly Vocal Jam Session at the famous Dizzy's Club, part of Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Jazz, bossa nova, and Italian song: a bridge between worlds.
The concert program at Blues Alley will be a sound journey that combines three fundamental elements of Simona's training and artistic sensitivity: jazz straight ahead, bossa nova, and Italian song. A richly nuanced blend, in which each song tells a part of her journey, from Italy to the United States. "These are three worlds that I feel are a part of me," she explains, "and that I bring to the stage to build a dialogue between cultures, experiences, and identities.".
A band of excellence with Italian roots
Simona Daniele will be accompanied on stage by a high-level band:
- Thomas Perazzo at the piano, a young and promising Italian musician active between Europe and the United States,
- Joey Ranieri on the double bass,
- Pete Van Nostrand on drums, both American musicians with Italian origins, highly appreciated on the international jazz circuit.
From international stages to the American scene
Throughout her career, Simona has performed on prestigious stages both in Italy and abroad: from Blue Note from Milan to the Black Cat in San Francisco, from the United Nations to the Dubai Expo. Her talent, combined with a deep cultural awareness, has allowed her to build a solid and recognized career, which continues to grow and surprise.
Simona Daniele, with her voice and musical storytelling, perfectly embodies the spirit of those Italians who, despite living abroad, maintain a genuine connection with their roots and carry them with them around the world. The concert at Blues Alley will be the perfect opportunity to celebrate this.
