For those not in the know, with her top-notch rhythm section and a string orchestra, the brilliant Italian musician Carla Marciano performs passionate renditions of eight originals, displaying virtuosity, a distinctive style, and powerful statements that cover a variety of emotions here on DAYDREAMING My Beloved Father GIOVANNI (out now via Challenge Records).

In her noteworthy career, Carla Marciano has consistently been one of Italy’s top jazz musicians, displaying a passionate style on alto and sopranino-sax. DAYDREAMING My Beloved Father GIOVANNI, her sixth album as a leader, is her most personal for it is dedicated to her late father Giovanni. A renowned doctor, he also played guitar, sang, and was an inspiration for his daughter.

The deep bond between father and daughter and their mutual love — “daydreaming” together — have been transmuted into music. “My father was my true music teacher,” Marciano says. “He passed this fierce passion on to me, teaching me to have dreams and to pursue them with dedication and courage, as if every day were the last of my life.”

For her heartfelt project, which is being released as a double-LP in October 2026, Ms. Marciano is supported by her long-time rhythm section: Alessandro La Corte on piano and keyboards, Aldo Vigorito on double bass, and Gaetano Fasano on drums. On one track she is joined by her dear friend Dario Deidda on acoustic bass.

In addition, some tracks featuring Marciano’s writing for string orchestra, in fact on five of the eight selections, the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Giuseppe Verdi Theater (Salerno) conducted by Antonio Sinagra accompanies the saxophonist.

1. Daydreaming [07:38]
2. Giovanni (Your Sweet Smile) [03:37]
3. Flying [10:09]
4. Johnny is walking [06:23]
5. Flowers from the sky [07:18]
6. We stay at home [05:52]
7. Hypnagogic state (Sleep/Wake/Sleep) [11:49]
8. Daydreaming (Church Version) [08:09]

With the music evoking ’70s atmospheres, moments of spiritual, breathy calm, romantic melodies, and occasional modal inspirations, Carla opens on the sweepingly hypnotic Daydreaming and the late night, smokey jazz cub-imbibed Giovanni (Your Sweet Smile) and then we get brought forth the spirited fare of Flying and the veritably cinematic Johnny is walking.

Along next is the soaringly engaging Flowers from the sky which is itself backed seamlessly the ornate, supple grandeur of the truly decadent We stay at home, the set rounding out on the appealingly intoxicating rhythms that twist and spiral within Hypnagogic state (Sleep/Wake/Sleep), coming to a close on her Church Version of the beautiful Daydreaming.

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www.carlamarciano.com