Role

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Composer  

Country

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Belgium

 

Fabrizio Cassol is a Belgian-Italian composer and saxophonist who was born on October 20, 1964, in Ougrée, Belgium. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a classical pianist. Cassol started playing the saxophone at the age of 12 and was soon performing in local jazz clubs. Cassol studied at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, where he received a degree in classical saxophone. He then went on to study jazz at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. During his time at Berklee, Cassol was exposed to a wide range of musical styles, including African and Latin music, which would later influence his compositions. After completing his studies, Cassol returned to Belgium and began performing with various jazz ensembles. In 1986, he co-founded the Aka Moon trio with Michel Hatzigeorgiou on bass and Stéphane Galland on drums. The group quickly gained a reputation for their innovative blend of jazz, world music, and classical music. In addition to his work with Aka Moon, Cassol has collaborated with a wide range of musicians and artists, including choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, filmmaker Alain Platel, and composer Steve Reich. He has also composed music for theater productions, including a production of Shakespeare's "Othello" at the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels. One of Cassol's most notable works is his reimagining of Mozart's "The Magic Flute." In 2005, he was commissioned by the Festival d'Avignon to create a new version of the opera, which he titled "Aka Moon meets the Magic Flute." Cassol's version of the opera incorporates elements of jazz, African music, and Indian music, and features a diverse cast of musicians and singers. Cassol's other notable works include "Pitié," a composition inspired by the music of the Central African Republic, and "Requiem pour L.," a tribute to the late jazz pianist Michel Legrand. He has also composed music for several films, including "Kinshasa Kids" and "The Invader." Throughout his career, Cassol has been recognized for his innovative approach to music composition and performance. He has received numerous awards and honors, including the Belgian National Order of Merit and the SACD Prize for Music. Today, he continues to perform and compose music, pushing the boundaries of classical and world music.

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