by Jane Lambert

VIDEO VOYAGEUR: 3 Q’s WITH MARCO di STEFANO

Italian composer Marco Di Stefano has been recognized for his ability to blend classical orchestration, folk influences and cinematic scoring into music that feels both epic and deeply human.

His latest project Far Inside takes this skill a step further, pairing his orchestral compositions with striking visual narratives.

The new video for “Tarantella Noire”, a track on the new album, brings together live recording footage from the European Recording Orchestra in Sofia with AI generated cinematic clips, creating a tension between reality and imagination.

Inspired by the events in Palermo in 1992, particularly the murders of judges Falcone and Borsellino, the video balances historical drama with a fictionalized narrative, exploring the shadowy underworld of organized crime through a visual lens.

We spoke with Di Stefano who walks us through the creative decisions behind the video, the process of blending orchestral performance with cinematic storytelling, and how he translated a pivotal moment in history into music and imagery.

1.Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically in this way?

The track was conceived with a strong cinematic and narrative focus, designed to evoke clear imagery and guide the listener through a story. Consequently, the visualization could not be merely an accompaniment; it had to function as a genuine narrative support.

I chose to merge two core elements: authentic footage from the recording session, which lends credibility and showcases the artistic genesis of the piece, and cinematic clips generated via artificial intelligence.

2. What was the inspiration behind this new video (visuals, storyline etc.)?

The inspiration for both the song and the video is rooted in a fictional narrative set against the real historical context of the events in Palermo in 1992, specifically the dramatic escalation leading to the murders of judges Falcone and Borsellino, who symbolized the fight against organized crime.

For the video, I adopted a visual approach that balances documentary style with a cinematic feel. The majority of the footage features the studio recording session with the European Recording Orchestra in Sofia, which highlights the high production value and orchestral commitment. I integrated short, AI-generated clips depicting an old, abandoned house in the Sicilian mountains, envisioned as a criminal hideout. This duality creates a visual tension that mirrors the historical drama of the story.

3. What was the process of making the video?

The process was guided by the dual objective of maximizing the musical performance and enriching it with an evocative visual context. The primary phase involved the meticulous editing of the recording session footage, selecting and assembling the most effective and dynamic moments of the orchestral execution.

Following this, I made the decision to incorporate the AI-generated clips. This was not merely filler, but a deliberate choice to elevate the video’s atmosphere beyond a simple making-of. The integration of these cinematic elements allowed us to create a richer visual texture, providing an implicit narrative backdrop that supports the epic quality of the music and demonstrates my ability to curate detail and the overall mood of the final product.

Keep up with Marco Di Stefano on his Website

05.29.25

by Jane Lambert

Pete Calandra’s Latest Album “Night Mist” is a Tonic for the Modern Mind

Pete Calandra’s latest release Night Mist is an album that doesn’t shout to be heard. It simply waits, patiently to be felt.

This eleven track collection is steeped in quietude, unfolding with the elegance of falling dusk and the emotional gravity of late-night introspection.

As both a skilled pianist and prolific composer across Broadway, film and television, Calandra brings a rare blend of technical finesse and emotional restraint to this work. It’s one that feels like a much needed breather in an overstimulated world.

Listen here:

The pieces on Night Mist are deceptively simple. On the surface, they present as minimal piano compositions touched by ambient textures and occasional soft orchestrations. But underneath that lies an exquisite sense of pacing and purpose. Tracks like “Whispers of the Dawn” and “The Heart of Mount Seleya” operate like emotional landscapes: sparse yet vivid, introspective yet expansive. And it is Calandra’s restraint, the space between notes, that becomes its own kind of melody.

What makes this album resonate so strongly is its consistency in tone without ever becoming over repetitive.

Each track brings a new shade of the same emotional spectrum. “Peaceful Valley” introduces cinematic string beds that evoke a pastoral calm, while “Autumn Nights” leans into the warmth of a felted piano to conjure a deeply intimate sense of place.

The ambient title track, “Night Mist” blends light electronics with improvisational phrasing, perfectly capturing the album’s thesis — serenity in the unknown.

Though best known to some for his work behind the scenes, including more than 100 film scores and music for global events like the FIFA World Cup and Kennedy Center Honors, Pete Calandra’s voice as a solo artist has become increasingly distinct over the last decade.

Night Mist builds on the aesthetic developed in ambient-forward albums like First Light and Carpe Noctem, but it lands with much more maturity and emotional clarity.

In an era defined by speed, distraction and technology burnout, Night Mist feels like a defiant gesture — an insistence on presence, on listening slowly, on valuing space.

It’s not just a collection of music, but also a gentle journey inward.

Connect with Peter Calandra via:

Website / YouTube / Spotify / Soundcloud

04.25.23

by Jane Lambert

“It Just Has to Be” is a Soft and Warm Song from Black Olive Jazz

Black Olive Jazz features the warm singer Kay Kostopoulos and the veteran Noel Jewkes on tenor, alto, soprano and flute. The group performs a wide range of jazz: swing, standards, blues, Latin and originals. Kay and Noel have been featured venues and jazz festivals all around the San Francisco Bay Area, including the Sonoma, Napa, Healdsburg, Vallejo, Sacramento, Palo Alto, and Fillmore Jazz Festivals. Their album, Exotica, a Mediterranean Jazz Journey, received rave reviews, and was honored by the Stanford Humanities celebration.

Kay is also a Stanford lecturer in Business and Theater, professional actress, singer, dancer and director who has performed in plays and musicals in many regional and Bay Area theaters, including the Magic Theatre, Marin Theatre Company, San Francisco and California Shakespeare Festivals, Stanford Summer Theater and A.C.T. (American Conservatory Theatre). Her theatrical background lends an emotional sensitivity to her lush and sensuous three-octave vocal range. Kay’s bellydancing has roots in an ethnic history rich in tradition, percussive musicality and precise technique.

Their newest song, the soft and lounge music-eque song “It Just Has to Be,” is led my Kay’s sultry vocals that adds an emotional depth to the piece. The lyrics themselves speak of the inevitability of love, and the joy that comes with finding someone who completes you.

The band effortlessly blends traditional jazz elements with modern twists to create a sound that is both fresh and timeless. It does have a Frank Sinatra meets Billy Holiday feeling to it with the deliberate words and slow delicate piano.

The intricate instrumentation and complex rhythms make it clear that this is a band that takes their craft seriously and is not afraid to take risks. “It Just Has to Be” is a fantastic addition to Black Olive Jazz’s already impressive catalog.

Connect with Black Olive Jazz via:

Website / Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube / Spotify

04.10.23

by Jane Lambert

Peter Calandra’s “The Gambit” is Dedicated to the Artists That Inspired Him

Peter Calandra is a prolific composer and keyboard player whose solo albums are wonderfully diverse, spanning world music, jazz, contemporary jazz, new age, pop, and neo-classical. The thread throughout his music is the lyrical expressiveness of the compositions and purity and purposefulness of the musicianship. Three of his recent albums of original music — First Light (2015), The Road Home (2017) and Carpe Noctem (2018) were nominated for ZMR Awards.

His newest single, “The Gambit” is is a beautiful tribute to the late Keith Jarrett and his influential solo piano albums Lausanne-Bremen and the Koln Concerts. As we get older musicians we admire leave us. When Peter was a developing musician, there were a handful of pianists who came to prominence in the late 1950’s-1960’s that were inspirational, influential, and whose music has been a constant companion throughout his life.

Calandra’s emotional connection to the music of Bill Evans, McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea and Keith Jarrett is apparent in the lyrical expressiveness of his compositions and the purposeful musicianship.

“The music these people created not only taught me but the stories and feelings that their music evoked were there to help me through turbulent times. Almost as a salve to the uncertainty of being a lost teenager and being a companion as I grew into an accomplished musician,” shares Peter.

Connect with Peter Calandra via:

Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Spotify / Soundcloud

04.01.23

by Jane Lambert

Josiah Mann Releases Debut Album ‘Grace’

Josiah Mann’s debut album, Grace, is an indie pop and adult contemporary concept album that tells a love story from beginning to end. The album has been in the making for 15 years, and it shows in the carefully crafted songs and emotional journey portrayed through the music.

From the upbeat and passionate “Angel” to the heartbreaking “Rainy Day,” Josiah Mann’s vocals and piano work capture the emotional depth of the protagonist’s journey. The sound is reminiscent of Snow Patrol and John Mayer, blending electric guitar and piano riffs with driving percussion and soulful lyrics.

What sets Grace apart is the accompanying mini-film consisting of 10 music videos that bring the album’s narrative to life. Each video corresponds to a track on the album, showcasing the highs and lows of the relationship as well as the protagonist’s emotional journey.

The album’s story has a happy ending, with Josiah Mann himself having found love and support for his artistic goals. “This has never been about getting famous, it’s been about translating and expressing what is in my heart in the sincerest way I can,” he says.

Grace is a well-crafted album that takes the listener on a journey of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. It’s a promising debut for Josiah Mann, and one that is sure to resonate with fans of indie pop and adult contemporary music.

Connect with Josiah Mann

Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / TikTok / Spotify / Soundcloud