A Duo of Two Magnificent Musicians

Francesco Cafiso is one of the most precocious talents in the history of jazz and at the age of nine took his first steps, working with internationally famous musicians. Meeting Wynton Marsalis in Pescara at the Jazz Festival held on July 2002 was a decisive moment for Francesco’s career. Amazed by Francesco’s qualities, Marsalis took him along with his septet on his European tour 2003, where Francesco performed in prestigious theatres in the largest cities in Europe.

From that moment on, Francesco went through a series of important experiences both in Italy and abroad. He won various important prizes just to name a couple the International Jazz Festivals Organization Award in New York and the World Saxophone Competition in London. Brubeck, Cedar Walton, Mulgrew Miller, Jimmy Cobb, Ben Riley, Ray Drummond, Lewis Nash, James Williams, Joe Lovano, Christian McBride, George Mraz, Kenny Wheeler, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Enrico Rava, Stefano Bollani and many other musicians.

Esteban Castro, a 20-year-old pianist and composer who performs internationally with his own band and as an in-demand sideman, started playing the piano at age 4, and quickly found himself improvising at a very young age, which led to the beginning of his jazz journey at age 6. At age 13, Esteban was the First Prize Winner in the Montreux Jazz Piano Solo Competition in 2016, making him the youngest ever to receive this prestigious award. Then, at 14, he was the youngest First Prize recipient at the 2017 Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition.

Among others, he has played with Joe Farnsworth, Gilad Hekselman, Billy Drummond, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Marcus Miller, Ted Nash, Mark Whitfield, Russell Hall, Wayne Escoffery, and Giveton Gelin. As a leader and a sideman, has performed at venues such as The Blue Note, The Montreux Jazz Festival, Birdland, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, The New Jersey Performing Arts Center, The Jazz Gallery, and Smalls.

Proudly presented by the Italian Cultural Institute Sydney.

Who: Duo Francesco Cafiso (Sax) – Esteban Castro (Piano)

When: Friday 12 May 2023 @ 8:00pm

Where: Low 302 @ Oxford St, Surry Hills

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