“ The great number of musical experiences we lived, and the passion for every kind of music – from jazz to country music – influenced us and enriched our musical taste and sensitivity, allowing us to create 'Westbound'.
All songs have a smooth, sophisticated sound, and a lot of energy. We try to conjugate the typical skills of the smooth jazz format with our italian melodic roots.
Above all, we write songs for everybody to listen and for the ones who like to travel with music.
Enjoy!”
Guitarist Cristian Rocco and drummer Enrico Catena began their collaboration in 2001, after more than a decade of playing, as session musicians, with various and different artists in Italy and abroad.
Guitarist Cristian Rocco (Milan, Italy, 1974) graduated with distinction at CPM, prestigious music school in Milan, Italy, studying with Danilo Minotti. He attended to various clinics held by Frank Gambale, Alain Caron, Mark Levine.
He recorded with Tazenda (italian folk-pop band), Roby Facchinetti (from the famous italian band Pooh), Ricky Tamaca, Brookoz (winner of Sanremo Rock 2003). He toured with several bands, among the others “JW Orchestra” (Soana, Porro, Brioschi as soloists), Lisa (Italian pop singer), Ginger Leigh, singer / songwriter from Austin, TX.
Cristian is also teaching in a number of music school in Northern Italy.
Drummer Enrico Catena (Brescia, Italy, 1970), played piano for 3 years when he was a kid and then began to study drums in 1987 with Joe Damiani, well-known italian drummer.
He worked with several bands, playing in various festivals across Europe, as opening band at big names’ concerts, like Robben Ford, among the others. In 1996 he released, with his rock band “Velasco”, a CD for MCA / Universal Music Italy. He worked in the most important italian recording studios and appeared in many national TV shows such as Festivalbar ’99 with famous italian singer Giorgia, among the others.
Enrico usually plays with independent artists from US like Tommy Womack, Patrice Pike and Ginger Leigh, whom he toured across Europe and America and he is a drum teacher in a number of music school in Northern Italy as well.
But the great passion for smooth jazz, and for what Cristian and Enrico use to refer to as “the West Coast music scene”, is strong, since they’ve always been influenced during their music career by artists such as Lee Ritenour, Larry Carlton, David Benoit (and every production from the legendary record label GRP), so in 2003 they decide that the time to realize what has been a life-long dream and ambition has come!
The Westbound debut CD “Miles away” is a blend of different atmospheres, from the "pure" smooth jazz sound, like the hit-single “Smooth”, to the italian pop music tradition, like the elegant, instrumental cover of the italian hit, back from the ’60s, “Estate” (which means Summer); from the Country & Western sound you can listen to in “Spring Break”, or the Latin sound you can find in songs like “Ivan” (inspired by Brasilian artist Ivan Lins) and “Corona Del Mar”.
Appearing as guest musicians on the record are Charlie Cinelli on bass, Giancarlo Zucchi and Beppe Donadio on piano and keyboards, among the others.
"What they say...", Critics & Reviews about 'Miles away':
Westbound, Miles Away (Westbound): Westbound, an Italian smooth jazz group with Cristian Rocco on guitar and Enrico Catena on percussion, prove that great instrumental music can come from any corner of the globe. Very smooth, with the only harsh edge coming on the rock-guitar lead of the title track. Highly recommended.
(Brian Soergel - Top Jazz Reviewer)
'Smooth' from the CD Miles Away by the Italian based smooth jazz duo Westbound. One of my favorites of the entire month.
(Denis Poole - Smoothjazz Therapy.com, June 2006)
Located in Italy this band hits the nail on its head with some relaxed smooth jazz songs, beautiful playing and memorable compositions. Thumbs up!
(Peter Boehi, Smoothjazz Vibes.com)
With Cristian Rocco on guitars & Enrico Catena on drums & percussion this Italian duo's CD "Miles Away" is definitely one for your collection.
(David Williams, Echo Smooth Jazz Internet Radio)
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