Quintorigo
High-wire vocal acrobatics meet distorted acoustic strings. A gritty, chamber-jazz explosion that treats classical instruments like electric guitars.
High-wire vocal acrobatics meet distorted acoustic strings. A gritty, chamber-jazz explosion that treats classical instruments like electric guitars.
Imagine a string quartet that grew up listening to Jimi Hendrix and Frank Zappa. Quintorigo strips away the safety net of drums and electric guitars, replacing them with a cello and violin that snarl through distortion pedals and an upright bass that provides a heavy, percussive backbone. The result is a sound that is simultaneously sophisticated and feral, bridging the gap between a prestigious conservatory and a sweaty underground rock club.
What truly sets them apart is the vocal delivery, particularly in the John De Leo era. The voice is used as a lead instrument, capable of sudden leaps from operatic baritone to manic scatting and mechanical sound effects. It is music that refuses to sit still, constantly shifting between intricate jazz arrangements and raw, punk-adjacent energy. They don't just play their instruments; they wrestle with them.
Start with the album 'Rospo' or 'Grigio' to hear their most iconic blend of Italian pop sensibilities and avant-garde experimentation. If you are a fan of technical proficiency used for chaotic ends, their tribute albums to Charles Mingus and Frank Zappa showcase how they can dismantle and rebuild the classics in their own distorted image.
Quintorigo is an Italian band founded in 1996 by John de Leo, who left the band in 2005. Their genre vary from experimental, jazz, reggae, pop and rock music. Although the musical ensemble is composed only by acoustic instruments, the band often makes heavy use of sound effects like distortion, flanging and wah-wah. They won the Mia Martini critics award at Sanremo Festival in 1999.
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