Riccardo Testore – a brief biography

Riccardo Testore has spent a lot of his life in the South Pacific settlement he refers to as Nuova Lazio. In this little settlement the Italian ways are celebrated many miles from home. Nuova Lazio also has a strong English presence, the early settlers in this area, before the Italian presence arrived, were stockmen and timber millers. As a boy Riccardo’s parents insisted that he learn to speak English,

although Italian is the language he is passionate about.

The climate of Nuova Lazio suits the growing of olive trees

and grapes,

which seem to grow everywhere.

Riccardo studied the violin and became interested in a brand of gypsy music that seemed to always be in his house. The music traced its roots back to American jazz tunes and Neapolitan songs. Riccardo played an important part in mixing the two styles and adding jazz influences to Neapolitan music. He also studied the double bass and likes to use this big violin to play some tunes in his trio.

The formation of his trio has taken many years and this particular blend of two quite different styles has had a slow merging over about twenty years. Riccardo is passionate about the style of music that his trio plays. 

Riccardo also likes to play a bit of guitar.

Band Uniform.

What is the best way for a band to dress?

Okay, you'll remember our publicity shot:

I'm going to share a little secret - in these photos each guy is wearing the same shirt.

My plan was to have more shirts with the characteristic green, white and red insignia on them made, but I have run into problems.

I've struggled to find the coloured ribbon and suitable black shirts. 

One member suggested that the most important thing for an Italian band is to look stylish and that black is not the most visible colour for a band.

After a lot of thought I think he is right.

That means what we will wear is still a work in progress.

Maybe it's not necessary to have a matching shirt?

I played in a band in the 80s that had matching shirts and we looked a bit silly.

You've got to be careful with matching shirts. That's for damn sure.

Testore practising hard.

There is no rest for Riccardo Testore as the trio redies itself to shake the world. 

"I'm doing a lot of work on tone and vibrato." says Testore.

The trio is hotting up!

Siamo un trio composto da un violinista, un chitarrista e un contrabbasista, suoniamo musica italiana e Jazz. Le nostre canzoni sono tutte strumentali e sono perfette per ristoranti, feste e concerti. Noi suoniamo con amore e passione.

Repertorio:

L’Addio A Napoli	Autumn Leaves
La Spagnola	Black Orpheus
Love Theme – Godfather	Bye Bye Blackbird
Maria, Mari	Fly Me To The Moon
Oje Caruli	Somewhere Over The Rainbow
O Mio Babbino Caro	Sweet Georgia Brown
O Sole Mio	Take the ‘A’ Train
Santa Lucia	This Masquerade
Torna A Surriento	My Gentle Giant
Vieni Sul Mar	Nefanie
A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square	Romance
All Of Me	The Immigrants

Tone is everything!

Well, not everything, but very important.
A big vibrato helps too.

Has the Testore Trio come to a stand still?

These two pictures tell a story.

White House Stage 1

White House Stage 2

This house is turning white and this doesn't happen by magic.
It's a long hot job and it takes time from the Testore Trio, as Riccardo is also a painter.
Also our bassist has just finished music recitals and so his focus has been elsewhere.
I guess it is also getting a bit late in the year to launch a new trio.
Well, it's not really a new trio.
Here are the boys in action a few years back.

Our fans are getting younger!

George and Wade.

This trio has been in the planning for twenty years - a few more months of planning?
Non è una problema!

So what tunes does the Testore Trio play?

This trio comes out of the musical traditions of Italia and American improvised music.

Jazz players usually start by playing a tune (called the head) and then invent other things that fit over the chords. This means that someone has to keep playing the chords while a solo is happening. 

The jazz tunes played by this trio will be familiar with most people - they have names like Sweet Georgia Brown and Take The 'A' Train.

The Italian tunes are played like jazz tunes but often go off to a different set of chords, so expect a few surprises. 

The original tunes are written by Riccardo Testore and some tend to have a slightly Eastern European flavour. 

This is an improvising trio and all three of the members are featured.

In this world where the specialized blog is all the go, what makes Richard's Bass Bag 2* special?

Well, let me reassure you, we're not just an after thought or a filler blog.
No siree!
We are a blog with a special mission.

This is the blog where you can keep in touch with the Testore Trio.

Okay, let me explain.
The Testore Trio is a group who play traditional jazz tunes, Italian tunes and some very cool originals.

The Testore Trio takes Italian tunes to another place. They are treated more like jazz tunes and there is a lot of freedom for members to stretch out. The music is also very accessible to the general public and is perfect for Italian restaurants. Riccardo Testore's Italian language skills make this trio perfect for any Italian flavoured function. Riccardo can also play solo violin - a very romantic experience when accompanied by candle light!

The trio line up is Riccardo Testore - violino, Wade Reeve - chitarra and George Prowse - contrabbasso.

This trio is quite unique.

On Richard's Bass Bag 3* we intend to make it our duty to keep you informed about this trio.

* putting the number '2' back into bass playing

Updated and ready for action.

Really excited to be part of the BASS BAGGING CONFEDERATION!

Back with a bass vengeance!

Okay, time to put the number '2' back into Bass Bagging!

Welcome back everybody.
What sort of bass bag are you using?

Are you a German or French bow player?

Maybe pizzicato is more your thing?

Well, whatever your answer is, you've come to the right place!

Richard's Bass Bag 2* is going to be here for YOU!

We'll be checking out all things to do with playing the big fiddle, AND MORE!

Make sure you're checking us out daily.

* putting the number '2' back into bass playing

We are on the comeback trail.

WATCH THIS SPACE!