GIUSEPPE DORONZO

GIUSEPPE DORONZO

GIUSEPPE DORONZO

baritone saxophone player, composer & educator

NEW Release “FUTURO ANCESTRALE” on Clean Feed

Giuseppe Doronzo (1987) is an Italian award-winning baritone saxophonist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist living in Amsterdam. His musical journey revolves around deep exploration of the baritone saxophone while embracing an evolving array of traditional instruments gathered during his travels. From the Chinese hulusi to the Albanian longari double flute, the Iranian ney-anban and the bass clarinet, each has found a place in his expanding sound world, shaping his saxophone voice and propelling his music into microtonal and culturally hybrid territories. Doronzo’s musical research emerges from an intricate blend of contemporary classical music, jazz improvisation, electro-acoustic compositions, and non-Western traditions. Straddling the line between composition and improvisation, his work bridges the modern and the ancient, drawing inspiration from the Mediterranean’s vast cultural heritage. While respecting the history and essence of each instrument he embraces, Doronzo reimagines their sonic potential — shaping them into an expressive, experimental language that transcends cultural and musical boundaries. He has been featured internationally as both performer and composer for media and ensembles at festivals and venues such as OCT LOFT Jazz Festival (China), Vahdat Hall (Iran), Bimhuis, Gaudeamus Muziek Week Festival, EYE Film Museum (The Netherlands), Novosadski Jazz Festival (Serbia), Casa del Jazz, Novara Jazz Festival (Italy), Jazzahead Festival (Germany), Ankara Jazz Festival (Turkey), New York University (US), Varna Jazz Festival (Bulgaria), Cave Jazz Festival (Romania), Causa Efeito Festival (Portugal), Meutiviti Festival (Denmark), MO Museum of Vilnius (Lithuania), and the Toronto Independent Film Festival of Cift (Canada). In 2024, he was awarded “Musician of the Year” – International Category by the Polish Jazz Press Magazine and Jazz FM Radio. In 2022, he received the BUMA “Music in Motion” Award for best film composition in a short film in The Netherlands. He has also been named Music Revelation (2018) and Best Baritone Saxophonist (2017, 2021-24) in the International Critic Poll “El Intruso.” Doronzo leads and collaborates on a range of projects, including Solo, TWINS, AVA Trio, Futuro Ancestrale, Aterraterr, and performs as a sideman with Michael Moore’s “Low, Slow, Wobbly,” Raoul van der Weide’s XPE, Sound Lee, and Vostok. His past and present collaborations include Michael Moore, Joe Lovano, Chris Potter, Mariem Hassan, Vince Mendoza, Han Bennink, NDR Big Band, João Bosco, Kiko Freitas, Kudsi Erguner, Paolo Fresu, Tullio De Piscopo, Taylor Ho Bynum, Steve Potts, Roberto Ottaviano, Ralph Alessi, Gianni Lenoci, Felice Mezzina, Lothar Stahl, Jens Pollheide, Irene Aebi Lacy, Daniele Cavallanti, Carlo Actis Dato, Jim Black, Shahzad Ismaily, Tim Berne, Tom Rainey, Leo Genovese, Andy Moor, Yannis Kyriakides, Frank Rosaly, Matt Wilson, Wilbert de Joode, Eric Boeren, and Michael Vatcher. Together with Jannis Anastasakis, he curates IMPROMPTU, “Exploring the Sounds of Europe” — a nomadic improvisation series that serves as a hybrid platform for intergenerational improv scenes across several European cities. As a producer, he runs the Amsterdam-based record label TORA Records, which has gained international recognition, receiving Best Album awards and praise from publications including Downbeat, The Wire, and All About Jazz. Doronzo holds a BA and MA in Classical Music, an MA in Contemporary Music from Italy, and a BA in Jazz and Composition from The Netherlands. He studied with Michael Moore, Rossano Emili, Kurt Weiss, Ausonio Calò, Riccardo Ceni, Miguel Martinez, Hariprasad Chaurasia, Kudsi Erguner, and Harris Lambrakis. He has given music workshops at institutions across Europe and beyond, including the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, Prins Claus Conservatorium (The Netherlands), Arkestra Lab Foundation (Italy), and Marmara University of Arts (Turkey). Giuseppe Doronzo is a Drake Mouthpieces Artist and Wood Wind Design Artist.
“one of the most subtly articulate baritone saxophone players in the world” — Jazzism “… magical, evocative sounds that mix ancient and modern.” — The Wire “..using bagpipes in a creative, neo-primitive vein and unclichéd manner” — Downbeat “..one of the most interesting voices in the European free music scene..” — Freejazzblog “Impressive technique with poetry and emotion.” — Enola Jazz Magazine “Doronzo blends beautifully the cards, taking advantage of the mantric timbres and that benevolent channel of culture, literature and music that should build the psychology of the music of the future.” — Percorsi Musicali “Doronzo plays as if with a split personality—he is aware of one mindset even as he goes off on a tangent. His playing is powerful but not overwhelming and his toying with multi-phonics, layers and textures manages to hang together even in the most abstract passages. Doronzo brings out the distinctive qualities of the baritone from the moody, to the raspy to the visceral. It’s been said that the improvised solo is the highest form of personal expression and Doronzo does a first-rate job of articulating his vision.” — All About Jazz

“…Doronzo was certainly the most extreme soloist of the bunch,
with his search along the borders of the baritone,
slap tongue-harmonic effects to downpours.” (www.draaiomjeoren.com)
” …Giuseppe Doronzo starts in the high register, as if he is not aware of the
roaring frequencies below. It lasts for one or two choruses, after which he finally leaps into the depth.
With powerful blows he wades through the notes and the jaws of the gathered people drop in awe:
such dynamics! such power! such swing!..” (Eddie Determeyer)

PROJECTS

SOLO

Giuseppe Doronzo baritone sax,mizmar,bansuri

It’s been said that the improvised solo is the highest form of personal
expression and Doronzo does a first-rate job of articulating his vision.”

(All about Jazz)

“..Doronzo was certainly the most extreme soloist , with his search along the borders of the baritone, slap
tongue-harmonic effects to downpours.”

( http://www.draaiomjeoren.com)

solo-cover

“As one of the most exciting fresh voices in the Dutch jazz and impro scene”, Italian born, Amsterdam based musician and composer Giuseppe Doronzo, focuses his solo research on the baritone sax. His solo work, gives you a polyphonic vision from a monodic instrument. The performance consists of pieces and improvisations that combine contemporary classical music, jazz improvisation and non-western music traditions. He gets inspired by urban and natural environments, electronic sounds and spaces, that all converge into an introspective experience of the baritone sax sounds. He experiments with multiphonics, amalgams of different sound layers, that open up to a microtonal, polyphonic and polyrhythmic music field. Last year with his solo project, Doronzo has been nominated Music Revelation and Best Debut Album 2018 by All About Jazz on the international jazz critic pool “El Intruso”. Furthermore, he had the possibility to present his debut solo album “GOYA” at various venues and festivals in Europe including Sant’ Anna Arresi Jazz Festival, Bimhuis, and Gaudeamus Muziekweek Festival. Russian film director Roman Ermolaev made a 40’ experimental film based on Doronzo’ s baritone sax solo album “GOYA”, gaining a relevant attention from Film Festivals and Contemporary Art Museums in Europe. His first solo album “GOYA” was released in August 2018 on his record label, Tora Records.

 

ATERRATERR

Giuseppe Doronzo baritone sax; mizmar (north african flute); bansuri (traditional indian flute)
Pino Basiletamburrello; Cupa cupe (southern italian friction percussion); canne (italian ephemeral reed instruments); Bubbù (ocarina from Puglia)

 
aterraterr

Aterraterr is a meeting between two friends coming from the same land, Puglia (south of Italy), living at two extremes of Europe, the Netherlands and south of Italy.
Through their music they narrate past and present tales, perhaps totally abstract and utopian. Their language is inspired by the nature of their instruments, wind and percussive.
The soundscapes are influenced by the geographical and rural areas of Puglia, pastoral minimalism and traces of ancient mediterranean rituals.

 

 

 

 
 

AVA TRIO

Giuseppe Doronzo baritone saxophone
Esat Ekincioglu bass
Pino Basile percussion

“…a masterful job of blending regional influences as well as balancing ethnic inspirations with free improvisation…” 4**** ½ (All about Jazz)

((All about Jazz))

“…Their playing is intelligent but fulfilled also with emotion and enthusiasm…” 4****

(De Trouw)

ava-cd-cover

AVA embarks on an ethno-musical expedition to document the musics of this imaginary land and its folk. Formed just over a year ago, AVA had an exciting first year with some 40 concerts in the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy, receiving a phenomenal response from all types of audience.
AVA’s debut album, Music From an Imaginary Land is the grand result of the past year’s work.
They invite you on an ethnomusical expedition to the imaginary land and beyond. The album was released in spring 2017 on Trytone Records.

 

FALGA

Giuseppe Doronzo baritone saxophone
Lucio Tasca guitar
Federico Pozzer piano
Andrea Caruso doublebass
Aleksandar Škorićdrums

Falga already
sounds like itself”

(De Trouw)

“Falga is a
transformational recording
where each player is given
a distinctive voice”

(Allaboutjazz)

falga-cd-cover

FALGA was born in October 2013 in Groningen, NL. Its members met and started first playing improvised music in duo or trio, in various combinations; subsequently they decided to blend their strong spiritual connections into a quintet.
The crusade of the ensemble is compelling a musical language which is the synthesis of the personal background of each member, the tradition of jazz music which is innovation, and last but not least the cathartic power of the moment.
Following to mantra of “now”, the band has been working with perseverance on original music; every composition is a different and always intimate story, but at the same time it’s nothing more than a piece of clay ready to be shaped into something radically different, according to the free will of any/every member.
Therefore, what the audience should be ready to attend to is a process of constant metamorphosis and creative flow, a research for the less traveled path and the enjoyment of a friendship facing endless unresolved questions.

 
sideman-cover

SIDEMAN PROJECTS

 

Michael Moore Bigtet

 

Michael Moore alto sax,clarinet Eric Boeren cornet Wolter Wierbos trombone Giuseppe Doronzo baritone sax Kaja Draksler keyboards Jorrit Westerhof electric guitar Arjen Gorter bass Michael Vatcher percussion

 

Lyrisch Laag contemporary ensemble

 

Fie Schouten bass clarinet, contrabass clarinet Jelte Althuis bass clarinet, contrabass clarinet Giuseppe Doronzo baritone sax

 

Raoul van Der Weide “Xavier Pamplona Ensemble”

 

Raoul van der Weide contrabass,percussion Michael Moore clarinet Alistair Payne trumpet Ziv Taubenfeld bass clarinet Giuseppe Doronzo baritone sax MArta Warelis piano George Hadow drums

 

All Ellington

 

Jodi Gilbert vocals Gideon Tazelaar clarinet, alto saxophone Natalio Sued tenor saxophone Jimmy Sernesky trumpet Giuseppe Doronzo baritone sax Joost Buis trumpet
Eric Boeren cornetOscar Jan Hoogland piano Wilbert De Joodedouble bass Michael Vatcherdrums

 

CONCERT SCHEDULE

Upcoming Concerts

01 May 2025 Duo with Genevieve Murphy Amsterdam, NL Bimhuis Bimhuis
04 May 2025 AVA Trio Florence, Italy Mixté Mixté Buy ticket
15 May 2025 Futuro Ancestrale feat. Yannis Kyriakides, Frank Rosaly Lisbon, Portugal Causa | Efeito Festival Causa | Efeito Festival
17 May 2025 Improv session Amsterdam, NL GROND GROND
18 May 2025 Sound Lee! Sextet Amsterdam, NL Klezmokum Foundation & Greene Room Klezmokum Foundation & Greene Room Buy ticket
31 May 2025 Futuro Ancestrale feat. Yannis Kyriakides, Andy Moor Novara, Italy Novara Jazz Festival Novara Jazz Festival
15 Jun 2025 SOLO - TWINS Heerenveen, NL Oranjewoud Festival Oranjewoud Festival Buy ticket
26 Jul 2025 AVA Trio Augsburger, DE Augsburger Jazzsommer Festival Augsburger Jazzsommer Festival

Past Shows

16 Apr 2025 AVA Trio Istanbul, Turkey Zorlu PSM Zorlu PSM
12 Apr 2025 AVA Trio Amsterdam, NL Cinetol - SITP Cinetol - SITP
10 Apr 2025 AVA Trio feat. Bart Maris Moers, DE Moers festival Moers festival
09 Apr 2025 AVA Trio feat. Bart Maris Ghent, Belgium Hot Club Hot Club
10 Jan 2025 SOLO - TWINS Stiens, NL Pakhûs Pakhûs
01 Jan 2025 Sound Lee! Amsterdam, NL Peter and Frances Bakker Peter and Frances Bakker
17 Dec 2024 w/ Michael Moore, Keef Jackson Amsterdam, NL Splendor Splendor
15 Dec 2024 SOLO - TWINS Rotterdam, NL De Machinist De Machinist
08 Dec 2024 AVA Trio - Turkey Tour Bursa, TURKEY Podyum Sanat Mahal Podyum Sanat Mahal
07 Dec 2024 AVA Trio - Turkey Tour İstanbul/Kadıköy , TURKEY Yeldeğirmeni Sanat Merkezi Yeldeğirmeni Sanat Merkezi
06 Dec 2024 AVA Trio - Turkey Tour Urla, TURKEY Urla Belediyesi Urla Belediyesi
05 Dec 2024 AVA Trio - Turkey Tour Ayvalık, TURKEY Fabrika Fabrika
04 Dec 2024 AVA Trio - Turkey Tour Bodrum, TURKEY INSPERA INSPERA
01 Dec 2024 AVA Trio - Turkey Tour Çukurova (Adana), TURKEY Hayal Kahvesi Hayal Kahvesi
30 Nov 2024 AVA Trio - Turkey Tour Artuklu (MARDIN), TURKEY FILINTA FILINTA
29 Nov 2024 AVA Trio - Turkey Tour Diyarbakir, TURKEY Sîn Cafe Sîn Cafe
28 Nov 2024 AVA Trio - Turkey Tour Batman Merkez, TURKEY FRONT DOOR FRONT DOOR
27 Nov 2024 AVA Trio - Turkey Tour VAN, TURKEY TARIRIA TARIRIA
24 Nov 2024 AVA Trio - Turkey Tour Çankaya, TURKEY Ankara Caz Festivali Ankara Caz Festivali
23 Nov 2024 AVA Trio - Turkey Tour Karatay (Konya), TR Hiçhane Hiçhane
22 Nov 2024 AVA Trio - Turkey Tour Eskisehir, TURKEY Opus XI Opus XI
21 Nov 2024 AVA Trio - Turkey Tour Istanbul, TR Babylon Babylon
12 Nov 2024 W/ Lisa Cay Miller, Oguz Buyukberber , Aaron Lumley, Marielle Groven Amsterdam, NL zaal 100 zaal 100
22 Oct 2024 with Fie Schoutehn, Guus Janssen, Vincent Curtuois Cologne, Germany Multiphonics Festival Multiphonics Festival
07 Sep 2024 Zebra Brass Band Amsterdam, NL Cinetol Festival Cinetol Festival
31 Aug 2024 GIUSEPPE DORONZO | FRANK ROSALY | ANDY MOOR Groningen, NL Zomer Jazz Fiets Tour Festival Zomer Jazz Fiets Tour Festival
24 Aug 2024 Zebra Brass Band Amsterdam, NL De Ruimte Festival De Ruimte Festival
03 Aug 2024 AVA Trio Schwaz, Austria Outreach Music Festival Outreach Music Festival
01 Aug 2024 AVA Trio Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria TAM TAM
30 Jul 2024 AVA Trio TGG Tour Varna, Bulgaria Varna Jazz Festival Varna Jazz Festival
29 Jul 2024 AVA Trio Sofia, Bulgaria AlarmaPunkJazz Prod AlarmaPunkJazz Prod
26 Jul 2024 AVA Trio Balatonboglar, Hungary Babel Sound Festival Babel Sound Festival
25 Jul 2024 AVA Trio Budapest, Hungary Jedermann Jedermann
12 Jul 2024 Zebra Brass Band Rotterdam, NL North Sea Jazz Festival North Sea Jazz Festival
11 Jul 2024 AVA Trio Szczecinek, Poland Szczecinek Sax Festival Szczecinek Sax Festival
07 Jul 2024 duo with Guus Janssen Rotterdam, NL De Machinist / North Sea Round Town De Machinist / North Sea Round Town
05 Jul 2024 Een harp onder de riem Amsterdam, NL Aaron & Mozes Church Aaron & Mozes Church
27 Jun 2024 guest panel "Scoring for film" Rotterdam, NL InJazz Festival / Lantaren Venster h 13:30 InJazz Festival / Lantaren Venster h 13:30
26 Jun 2024 Spoorloos Amsterdam, NL EYE Film Museum - h 18:45 EYE Film Museum - h 18:45
26 Jun 2024 Giuseppe Doronzo | Frank Rosaly | Andy Moor Amsterdam, The Netherlands Bimhuis / InJazz Festival h 20:30 Bimhuis / InJazz Festival h 20:30
16 Jun 2024 Raoul van der Weide XPE Amsterdam, The Netherlands Theater Vrijburcht Theater Vrijburcht
15 Jun 2024 Turkish Pumpkin Krefeld, Germany Jazz im Sommerabend Festival Jazz im Sommerabend Festival
14 Jun 2024 Raoul van der Weide XP7 Amsterdam, NL OranjeKerk OranjeKerk
09 Jun 2024 dutch mountain tribe Cologne, Germany Stadtgarden Stadtgarden
08 Jun 2024 dutch mountain tribe Amsterdam, NL Bimhuis Bimhuis
01 Jun 2024 C.A.L.L. Festival Amsterdam, NL Dokzaal Dokzaal
30 May 2024 Dutch Mountain tribe Nijmegen, NL Jazz in Nijmegen Jazz in Nijmegen
29 May 2024 Dutch Mountain tribe Groningen, NL Brouwerij Martinus Brouwerij Martinus
26 May 2024 AVA Trio Neeritter, NL JazzBlatz JazzBlatz
25 May 2024 AVA Trio TGG Tour Nijmegen, The Netherlands Brebl Brebl
24 May 2024 AVA Trio TGG Tour Bussel, Belgium Jazz Weekend Fest / Roskam Jazz Weekend Fest / Roskam
23 May 2024 AVA Trio Mechelen, Belgium NONA NONA
22 May 2024 AVA Trio TGG Tour Wuppertal, Germany LOCH LOCH
09 May 2024 AVA Trio Banska Bystrica, Slovakia Jazz Club Hogo Fogo Jazz Club Hogo Fogo
08 May 2024 AVA Trio Balatonboglar, Hungary Babel Camp Babel Camp
07 May 2024 AVA Trio TGG Tour Timisoara, Romenia TBA TBA
05 May 2024 AVA Trio Budapest, Hungary Jazzfest Budapest Jazzfest Budapest
04 May 2024 AVA Trio TGG Tour Szekesfehervar, Hungary Diocesan Museum Diocesan Museum
03 May 2024 AVA Trio Volyne, Czech Replublic Museum Volyne Museum Volyne
02 May 2024 AVA Trio - TGG Tour Prague, Czech Republich Klub Letka Klub Letka
01 May 2024 AVA Trio - TGG Tour Pardubice, Czech Republich Divadlo 29 Divadlo 29
28 Apr 2024 Sound-Lee! Weesp, NL Plofhuis7 Plofhuis7
26 Apr 2024 AVA Trio Rome, Italy Casa del Jazz Casa del Jazz
25 Apr 2024 AVA Trio - TGG Tour Barletta, Italy Spring Time Jazz Festival Spring Time Jazz Festival
25 Apr 2024 AVA Trio - TGG Tour Matera, Italy Osteria Malatesta (h 13:00) Osteria Malatesta (h 13:00)
22 Mar 2024 AVA Trio "The Great Green Tour" Brugge, BE KAAP Turnzaal KAAP Turnzaal
21 Mar 2024 AVA Trio "The Great Green Tour" Geraardsbergen, BE Het Bruggenhuis Het Bruggenhuis
09 Mar 2024 AVA Trio "The Great Green Tour" Villingen-Schweningen, DE Jazz Club Villingen Jazz Club Villingen
08 Mar 2024 AVA Trio ULM Jazzkeller Sauschdal Jazzkeller Sauschdal
07 Mar 2024 AVA Trio Landshut, DE Die Zentrale Die Zentrale
06 Mar 2024 AVA Trio "The Great Green Tour" Musburg, DE Jazz Club Hirsch Jazz Club Hirsch
01 Mar 2024 Dutch Mountain tribe Den Bosch, NL Willem Twee Zaal Willem Twee Zaal
24 Feb 2024 with Jannis Anastasakis Ioannina, Greece sympaignia theatre sympaignia theatre
22 Feb 2024 with Jannis Anastasakis, Natalia Manta, nikos sidirokastritis Athens, Greece KET KET
25 Jan 2024 Dutch Mountain tribe Utrecht, NL Tivoli Vredenburg Tivoli Vredenburg
01 Jan 2024 Sound-Lee! Amsterdam, NL Peter and Frances Bakker Peter and Frances Bakker
30 Dec 2023 All Ellington Amsterdam, NL Bimhuis Bimhuis
17 Dec 2023 Sound-Lee! 5et Amsterdam, NL Vrijburcht Theater Vrijburcht Theater
15 Dec 2023 AVA Trio utrecht, NL Tivoli Vredenburg Tivoli Vredenburg
14 Dec 2023 AVA Trio Amsterdam, NL Bimhuis Bimhuis
03 Nov 2023 SOLO Amsterdam, NL Tempel Tempel
24 Oct 2023 All Ellington Amsterdam, NL Zaal 100 Zaal 100
21 Oct 2023 SOLO Amsterdam, NL ADE - Sexyland ADE - Sexyland
13 Oct 2023 AVA Trio Altamura, IT Teatro Mercadante Teatro Mercadante
11 Oct 2023 Workshop MARC EDE, NL SQBA Residency - Akoesticum SQBA Residency - Akoesticum
01 Oct 2023 AVA Trio Basel, CH Renee Renee
28 Sep 2023 AVA Trio Dornach, CH Hotel Kloster Hotel Kloster
08 Sep 2023 AVA Trio Palau, IT Isole che parlano Festival Isole che parlano Festival
08 Sep 2023 SOLO Palau, IT Isole che parlano Festival Isole che parlano Festival
26 Aug 2023 Turkish Pumpkin Groningen, NL Zomer Jazz Fiets Tour Festival Zomer Jazz Fiets Tour Festival
25 Aug 2023 Turkish Pumpkin Hamburg, GER WhiteCube WhiteCube
21 Aug 2023 AVA Trio Brno, CZ Ponava Cafe Ponava Cafe
19 Aug 2023 AVA Trio Dragasani, RO Dragani Vineyard Dragani Vineyard
17 Aug 2023 AVA Trio Brasov, RO Jazz Bastion Festival Jazz Bastion Festival
16 Aug 2023 AVA Trio Moroeni, RO The Jazz Cave festival The Jazz Cave festival
05 Aug 2023 AVA Trio Accadia, IT Accadia Blues Festival Accadia Blues Festival
29 Jul 2023 AVA Trio Gmünd, AT Jazzhochburg Kärnten 2023 Jazzhochburg Kärnten 2023
22 Jul 2023 duo w/ Beate Loonstra Amsterdam, NL Mozes en Aäronkerk Mozes en Aäronkerk
07 Jul 2023 Impromptu #3 Krakow, PL Supernova Supernova
06 Jul 2023 Impromptu #3 Krakow, PL Tu i Ówdzie Tu i Ówdzie

MEDIA GALLERY

PRESS KIT

download high quality photos and biography in English and Italian.

epk1
epk2
epk3

meet GIUSEPPE live or online!

Would you like to book me for a concert with one of my bands?

Do you have an interest in expanding young creatives ideas through an informative education workshop, residency or lecture?

Would like to develop your sonic palette on the saxophone or you have other question?

Please send me an email at: giusdoronzo[at]gmail.com

WINNER BUMA AWARD

Giuseppe Uncategorized

I’m thrilled and honoured to share with you that I won the  BUMA Music in Motion Awards   –   Best original composition for the music I wrote for the short film GOYA.

The 35 members of the jury wrote:

“The short film GOYA is a memory-gathering story. In a dreamlike video in cinematic style, a wondrous journey of an anonymous character unfolds, parallel to which the attempt to find the origin of the journey itself is revealed. The image and music in this short film reinforce each other very much. You could say that music is half of this film.
The score excels in originality, is progressive and surprising.         Giuseppe Doronzo knows how to produce a powerful and original production with less traditional instruments and arrangements.
Special mention for the wonderful use of woodwinds.”

Thank you all for your support!