I had the good fortune last Saturday night to get dragged (fairly willingly) to the local Very Hip Jazz Club where for a small fee my party was granted entry to a gig being played by a quintet featuring 2 saxes, guitar, bass and drums. None of us knew the players beforehand but we figured it would be a good show cos there’s the Umbria Jazz Festival in town at the moment.
Not taking anything away from the other very capable players in the group, it quickly became apparent that the star of the evening was a young Italian dude named Francesco Cafiso who plays tenor saxophone. This guy is incredible - the sweetest tone, amazingly soulful playing, virtuosic fast runs in solos. I mean, he had absolute total control over the instrument in a way I’ve never seen before. I can’t describe how totally unbelievable was this guy’s playing. People were looking at each other with dropped jaws in amazement. It was just the wildest, most fantastic jazz playing I’ve ever heard, no doubt.
So, imagine my surprise when I subsequently google to learn some more about the guy and learn that he is, ahem, 15 years old. WTF?? We had him pegged for early to mid-20s but no more than that, but 15? What a freak. I have resolved to purchase as soon as possible any recording featuring young master Cafiso (though haven’t tracked anything down yet) and urge everyone to check him out live if you ever get the chance.
PS I promise I’m not on his PR team.