[music] Italian Jazz at Blues Alley

Giuseppe Cucchiara is a New York City-based bassist, composer, and bandleader known for his deeply lyrical approach to music and his versatility across jazz, classical, and improvised traditions. Originally from Italy, Giuseppe has forged a distinctive voice on the upright bass.

He leads the project Music For Your Soul, featuring a dynamic lineup of some of NYC’s most exciting young voices: Simon Moullier on vibraphone, Ben Solomon on tenor saxophone, Chris McCarthy on piano, and Adam Arruda on drums. The group presents Giuseppe’s original compositions—melodically rich and rhythmically fluid music that explores themes of memory, identity, and spiritual depth.

A sought-after collaborator, Giuseppe works regularly with acclaimed artists such as Rodney Green, Johnny O’Neal, Luis Perdomo, Kevin Hays, Jeb Patton, Harry Allen, Ethan Iverson contributing to numerous recordings, tours, and multimedia projects across the U.S., Europe, South America, and Asia. He has performed at major festivals and venues internationally and is deeply engaged in the creative music community both as a performer and educator.

Whether performing in intimate ensembles or large-scale productions, Giuseppe brings clarity, warmth, and intention to every note. His work reflects a commitment to emotional honesty, improvisational freedom, and cross-cultural dialogue.

CATERINA ZAPPONI

A delightful and charming vocalist Caterina Zapponi performs an eclectic, multilingual repertoire that blends traditional vocal jazz with international styles like her native French cabaret and Italian melodies, and more.

In her career, the gifted multi-lingual vocalist Caterina Zapponi has explored music ranging from jazz and the American popular song to cabaret and musical theater.

Zapponi was born and raised in Rome, the daughter of celebrated screenwriter Bernardino Zapponi, a collaborator and longtime friend of Federico Fellini. Her mother was a French born chanteuse and instilled in Caterina her love of the French repertoire. The film High Society helped introduce her to jazz while fueling a desire to move to the United States, which she did upon receiving a scholarship from Berklee College of Music. She graduated in two years and won the Berklee Cleo Laine Award for vocal achievement and performance.

Caterina Zapponi was a finalist in the Thelonious Monk International Vocal Jazz Competition and has since performed at prestigious venues including New York’s Birdland, and The Blue Note, and internationally at the Verbier and Saint Barthelemy festivals. She has also performed internationally with pianist Monty Alexander at numerous venues including London’s Ronnie Scott’s, Marseille Jazz Festival, Paris’New Morning and Theatre des Champs Elysees, Tokyo’s Blue Note and Cotton Club, Switzerland’s Cully and Bern Festivals, Russia’s Moscow International House of Music, and at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City.

Her recordings include the album “Universal Love Songs”, released by Inak Music and “Romantica” on Motema Music.

Zapponi is a member of the Screen Actor’s Guild, and performed “A Song For You” for the film For the Love of the Game with Kevin Costner.