Traditional "pizzica" from South Salento (Italy)

1) Ballati tutti quanti, the musical project of Alessandro, Carlo and Luca Rizzello brothers, is born in Spongano, a little town of Salento (the geographical region that comprises the provinces of Lecce, Brindisi and Taranto,  at the extreme south of Apulia), in 1998.

This musical group has the aim of express the dance and the music of South Salento and of Rizzello’s family, and especially, of their grandmother Pippina Guida, one of the last popular ethnical singer, still active in her activity in a musical ensemble of Spongano.

In the past, the rhythm of pizzica, beated by a local typical percussion, was considered the only remedy at the bite of tarantula-spider, and people suffering danced for whole days, to the point of exhaustion. However, pizzica especially characterized all popular events in little towns and family parties.

The three brothers have always been cooperating in different kind of musical groups, showing an important experience in concert activities.

After many participations and cooperation as musicians and dancers in different ethnic musical groups of Salento (Menamenamò, Allabua, Mascarimirì, Ajara, Criamu, Ariacorte, Salento Musica Ensemble), they recorded their first cd ("Pizzica-pizzica", 1999), starting, in this way, a new activity as musicians and performing many shows in all the Italian territory. In the band there are two dancers Rossana Coda and Laura Santese, who report the traditional style of pizzica-pizzica and assist the stages and concerts activity.

The band is able to offer artistic performance of nice impact, in which dance and music are combined and all the elements of the band are expert teachers of traditional pizzica pizzica dance.

Actually, the group is promoting his last cd, “Ttacca banda” (2005).

2) Members

Alessandro S. Rizzello - percussions, accordion, voice

Carlo G. Rizzello - guitar, voice

Luca A. Rizzello - violin, percussions, voice

Rossana Coda - dancer

Laura Santese - dancer

3) Discography

3.1) "PIZZICA-PIZZICA" (CD, 1999)

"Pizzica-pizzica" the first cd of the musical group, offers a traditional interpretation of Salento music. Pizzicas are alternated with farmers songs, performed with the characteristic vocal style of the three brothers and characterised by simple and pleasing arrangements of guitar, violin and percussions.

3.2) "PIZZICA-PIZZICA: LA DANZA DEL SALENTO" (DVD, 2004)

Pizzica, the ancient approach dance of Salento is a passional and evocative dance. In cooperation with Alla Bua, ethno musical group of Salento, the band Ballati Tutti Quanti proposed this document on pizzica-pizzica, danced and commented by BTQ, with the musical arrangements of AllaBua.

3.3) "TTACCA BANDA" (CD, 2005)

After the intensive activity of these last years, and supported by the important tradition still alive in their family, BTQ recorded "Ttacca banda", a collection of songs and pizzicas of their territory. In this cd there is the evidence of the vocal and instrumental style of Rizzello brothers and the deep influence of tradition. All the music and the lyrics are directly handed down by their grandmother Pippina, whose voice is recorded in the track "mamma, cce fija tene".

Buy now (€ 15,00) with paypal (or bank transfer, writing at info@ballatituttiquanti.com)  :    

4) A selection of italian pages:

- BTQ's biography,

- a list of some representative BTQ's shows in Italy;

- photo galleries

- video;

- discography;

- Rizzello's family;

- press review

5) Contact

Carlo G. Rizzello

info@ballatituttiquanti.com

+39 347 6181418

Official website:

www.ballatituttiquanti.com