Francesco Cusa (Catania, 1966) is an Italian drummer, composer, author and poet working in contemporary jazz, improvised music and interdisciplinary research. He holds a degree in Arts (DAMS, University of Bologna) with a thesis on jazz performance theory. His activity includes extensive international performances and a discography of 77 albums as leader, conductor, co-leader and sideman. He is the founder of the Bologna-based collective Bassesfere and co-founder of the project/label Improvvisatore Involontario, a major platform for experimental jazz in Italy. He leads projects such as Francesco Cusa QUEST, Francesco Cusa & The Assassins, Naked Musicians (conduction), Solomovie and Drums & Books, and is co-leader of The Lenox Brothers and The Black Shoes. Alongside music, he has published novels, essays and poetry, and is the author of the conduction theory book Naked Performers. He teaches jazz drums at the Conservatorio “Vincenzo Bellini” of Catania and is included in the Dizionario del Jazz Italiano (ed. Flavio Caprera).
FRANCESCO CUSA – Musician, Composer, Author, Poet
Francesco Cusa (Catania, 1966) is an Italian drummer, composer, author and poet active in contemporary jazz, improvised music and interdisciplinary artistic research. His work moves across music, literature and performance, with a consistent focus on experimentation, form, and the relationship between sound, language and gesture.
He holds a degree in Arts (DAMS) from the University of Bologna, where he graduated with a thesis on jazz performance theory (Extramusical Elements in Jazz Performance, 1994). Over the course of his career he has developed an extensive international activity, performing throughout Europe, the United States, Asia and Africa, and building a body of work that includes 77 recorded albums as leader, conductor, co-leader and sideman.
Artistic Profile
Cusa’s musical language is rooted in jazz but extends toward free improvisation, contemporary composition and conceptual performance. His approach combines rhythmic research, structural awareness and a strong interest in the extra-musical dimensions of sound: narration, dramaturgy, philosophy and politics.
He has composed music for cinema, theatre, dance, literary events and visual arts, collaborating with filmmakers, choreographers, poets and visual artists.
He is the founder of the Bologna-based collective Bassesfere and co-founder (with Paolo Sorge and Carlo H. Natoli) of the project/label Improvvisatore Involontario, one of the most significant independent platforms for experimental and research-oriented jazz in Italy.
Projects and Ensembles
Francesco Cusa is leader of the following projects:
Francesco Cusa QUEST (original compositions, contemporary jazz)
Francesco Cusa & The Assassins (electric/acoustic ensemble)
Naked Musicians (large ensemble, conduction and structured improvisation)
Solomovie (live soundtracks for silent and archival films)
Drums & Books (solo and ensemble performances combining music and literature)
He is co-leader of:
The Lenox Brothers
The Black Shoes (with Giorgia Santoro)
Discography
His discography includes 77 CDs, released on international and independent labels (Clean Feed, Leo Records, Dodicilune, Splasc(H), Bunch, Amirani, Setola di Maiale, Improvvisatore Involontario, Kutmusic), ranging from solo works to large ensembles, conceptual albums and film soundtracks.
Collaborations
Throughout his career, Cusa has collaborated with a wide range of internationally recognized musicians, including (selected):
Paolo Fresu, Enrico Rava, Steve Lacy, Tim Berne, Kenny Wheeler, Butch Morris, Michel Godard, Roy Paci, Elliott Sharp, Andy Sheppard, Gianluca Petrella, Don Byron, Billy Bang, Ab Baars, Mike Cooper, John Tilbury, Mauro Pagani, Francesco Cafiso, Dan Kinzelman, Saadet Türköz, Zu, Flying Luttenbachers, as well as numerous dancers, choreographers, visual artists and writers.
Writing and Literary Activity
Parallel to his musical career, Francesco Cusa is a prolific writer. He has published novels, essays, aphorisms and poetry. Among his books:
Novelle Crudeli
Racconti Molesti
Ridetti e Ricontraddetti
Canti Strozzati
Stimmate
Il Surrealismo della Pianta Grassa (essay)
Nei Dintorni della Civiltà (poetry)
Vic (novel)
Il Mondo Chiuso (poetry)
Il giusto premio
L’orlo sbavato della perfezione
2056 (novel)
Rime Sboccate
He is also the author of the theoretical book Naked Performers – Elements of Conduction, dedicated to structured improvisation and ensemble leadership.
Journalism and Cultural Writing
Cusa regularly writes essays and criticism on cinema, music and contemporary culture. He has contributed to magazines and journals such as Cultura Commestibile, Musica Jazz, Jazzit, The New Noise, Lapis, and Sicilia Report, where he curated the column “Lo Stiletto”.
He runs the long-standing personal blog “L’Orlo Sbavato della Perfezione”, devoted to aesthetics, music, literature and critical thought.
Teaching
He teaches Jazz Drums at the Conservatorio “Vincenzo Bellini” of Catania, after having held teaching positions at several Italian conservatories, including Benevento, Monopoli, Frosinone, Lecce, Parma, Reggio Calabria and Messina.
Awards and Recognition
During his career, Francesco Cusa has received numerous recognitions in both music and literature, including multiple rankings in Musica Jazz and Jazzit critics’ polls, national poetry awards, and festival prizes.
He is included in the Dizionario del Jazz Italiano edited by Flavio Caprera (Feltrinelli).
FRANCESCO CUSA – Musician, Composer, Author, Poet
Francesco Cusa (Catania, 1966) is an Italian drummer, composer, author and poet active in contemporary jazz, improvised music and interdisciplinary artistic research. His work moves across music, literature and performance, with a consistent focus on experimentation, form, and the relationship between sound, language and gesture.
He holds a degree in Arts (DAMS) from the University of Bologna, where he graduated with a thesis on jazz performance theory (Extramusical Elements in Jazz Performance, 1994). Over the course of his career he has developed an extensive international activity, performing throughout Europe, the United States, Asia and Africa, and building a body of work that includes 77 recorded albums as leader, conductor, co-leader and sideman.
Artistic Profile
Cusa’s musical language is rooted in jazz but extends toward free improvisation, contemporary composition and conceptual performance. His approach combines rhythmic research, structural awareness and a strong interest in the extra-musical dimensions of sound: narration, dramaturgy, philosophy and politics.
He has composed music for cinema, theatre, dance, literary events and visual arts, collaborating with filmmakers, choreographers, poets and visual artists.
He is the founder of the Bologna-based collective Bassesfere and co-founder (with Paolo Sorge and Carlo H. Natoli) of the project/label Improvvisatore Involontario, one of the most significant independent platforms for experimental and research-oriented jazz in Italy.
Projects and Ensembles
Francesco Cusa is leader of the following projects:
Francesco Cusa QUEST (original compositions, contemporary jazz)
Francesco Cusa & The Assassins (electric/acoustic ensemble)
Naked Musicians (large ensemble, conduction and structured improvisation)
Solomovie (live soundtracks for silent and archival films)
Drums & Books (solo and ensemble performances combining music and literature)
He is co-leader of:
The Lenox Brothers
The Black Shoes (with Giorgia Santoro)
Discography
His discography includes 77 CDs, released on international and independent labels (Clean Feed, Leo Records, Dodicilune, Splasc(H), Bunch, Amirani, Setola di Maiale, Improvvisatore Involontario, Kutmusic), ranging from solo works to large ensembles, conceptual albums and film soundtracks.
Collaborations
Throughout his career, Cusa has collaborated with a wide range of internationally recognized musicians, including (selected):
Paolo Fresu, Enrico Rava, Steve Lacy, Tim Berne, Kenny Wheeler, Butch Morris, Michel Godard, Roy Paci, Elliott Sharp, Andy Sheppard, Gianluca Petrella, Don Byron, Billy Bang, Ab Baars, Mike Cooper, John Tilbury, Mauro Pagani, Francesco Cafiso, Dan Kinzelman, Saadet Türköz, Zu, Flying Luttenbachers, as well as numerous dancers, choreographers, visual artists and writers.
Writing and Literary Activity
Parallel to his musical career, Francesco Cusa is a prolific writer. He has published novels, essays, aphorisms and poetry. Among his books:
Novelle Crudeli
Racconti Molesti
Ridetti e Ricontraddetti
Canti Strozzati
Stimmate
Il Surrealismo della Pianta Grassa (essay)
Nei Dintorni della Civiltà (poetry)
Vic (novel)
Il Mondo Chiuso (poetry)
Il giusto premio
L’orlo sbavato della perfezione
2056 (novel)
Rime Sboccate
He is also the author of the theoretical book Naked Performers – Elements of Conduction, dedicated to structured improvisation and ensemble leadership.
Journalism and Cultural Writing
Cusa regularly writes essays and criticism on cinema, music and contemporary culture. He has contributed to magazines and journals such as Cultura Commestibile, Musica Jazz, Jazzit, The New Noise, Lapis, and Sicilia Report, where he curated the column “Lo Stiletto”.
He runs the long-standing personal blog “L’Orlo Sbavato della Perfezione”, devoted to aesthetics, music, literature and critical thought.
Teaching
He teaches Jazz Drums at the Conservatorio “Vincenzo Bellini” of Catania, after having held teaching positions at several Italian conservatories, including Benevento, Monopoli, Frosinone, Lecce, Parma, Reggio Calabria and Messina.
Awards and Recognition
During his career, Francesco Cusa has received numerous recognitions in both music and literature, including multiple rankings in Musica Jazz and Jazzit critics’ polls, national poetry awards, and festival prizes.
He is included in the Dizionario del Jazz Italiano edited by Flavio Caprera (Feltrinelli).
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