Fotografia
Postcards from home

After twelve years abroad, De Rosa was invited by her closest friend Luigi Del Prete, an esteemed Neapolitan drummer and long-time collaborator of Stefano Di Battista, to record an album entirely in Italian. Despite having recorded in several languages, she had never released an album in her mother tongue. This realization brought her back to Italy, and in November 2025 she traveled to Rome to record Fotografia, her sixth album. Scheduled for release in November 2026 on the New York label Dot Time Records, the project is a collection of reimagined Italian standards drawn from some of the most iconic voices and composers in Italian songwriting.

The repertoire spans different eras, moods, and songwriting traditions. Songs such as Ancora (Eduardo De Crescenzo) and E la chiamano estate (Bruno Martino) explore intimacy, longing, and emotional vulnerability, while timeless classics like Azzurro (Adriano Celentano) and Piove (Domenico Modugno) reflect a more open, melodic optimism rooted in collective memory. Cartoline (Mina) stands out as a playful and dynamic narrative, driven by a distinctive bass line and inventive drumming that give the song a sense of momentum and lighthearted storytelling. I giardini di marzo (Lucio Battisti) blends nostalgia with poetic realism, and L’appuntamento (Ornella Vanoni) unfolds as a delicate narrative of expectation and suspended time. The album also pays tribute to cinematic songwriting with Se telefonando, composed by Ennio Morricone, where emotional tension and harmonic sophistication meet.

The arrangements are rooted in jazz while embracing subtle pop influences, leaving ample space for the versatility, interaction, and expressive qualities of the ensemble. This approach creates a distinctive sonic identity, allowing songs of very different origins and characters to coexist within a coherent musical vision. Interpretation lies at the heart of the project: each track is approached as a miniature story, with particular attention given to the lyrics, their emotional resonance, and their narrative depth. Rather than reinventing these songs through excess, De Rosa and the band focus on clarity, nuance, and expressive freedom.

The recording features an outstanding ensemble of Italian musicians: Luca Mannutza on piano, Daniele Sorrentino on double bass, and Luigi Del Prete on drums. All three have long-standing artistic connections with Stefano Di Battista and are among the most respected voices on the Italian jazz scene.

Alongside the album, Fotografia includes a documentary filmed in Rome, capturing both studio sessions and evocative scenes from the city itself, as well as a series of live studio performance videos. Additional music videos will accompany the release and will be unveiled throughout the promotional cycle.

With this new work, De Rosa brings Italian songwriting into a contemporary jazz context while remaining faithful to its melodic and emotional essence. Fotografia represents both a return to her roots and a new chapter in her artistic journey, continuing her commitment to cultural exchange through music,this time through the language and songs that first shaped her identity as an artist.

Press

Our album Feathers has received enthusiastic reviews from international music critics:
“With Feathers, the Italian singer Simona De Rosa and the Polish band Confusion Project embark on a relaxed journey around the world… a music mixture that combines traditional sounds and contemporary jazz light.”
“A wonderful, versatile and captivating album… Simona De Rosa unfolds her vocal strengths with impressive expressiveness… musical variety and first-class entertainment.”
Jacek Brun, Jazz-Fun Magazine
“Simona presents eight songs on Feathers, each representing folk traditions from across the globe… Her voice moves with perfect intonation between jazz divas and folkloric singing traditions… A singer with enormous charisma!”
Gerhart von Keußler, KultKomplott
“From Charyn Canyon in Kazakhstan to the streets of Cuba, from Lebanon to Beijing… Feathers is built on a rich, multicultural journey.”
Jazzpress.pl
“The level of instrumental performances and vocals is impeccable.”
Adam Baruch
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Simona De Rosa is a vocalist, composer, and educator with a boundless musical vision. From her native Naples to New York, from Vietnam to Beijing, her artistic journey weaves through cultures and traditions, enriched by deep sensitivity and a crystalline voice. Rooted in jazz and driven by an unrelenting curiosity for new sounds, Simona blends past and present in soulful, refined performances that captivate and inspire. Her music is a bridge between worlds — a limitless exploration where every note feels like home.

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