Roberto Cassani - Pictish Spaghetti

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to double bassist and returning guest Roberto Cassani to hear all about the album Pictish Spaghetti which he has made with guitarist Graeme Stephen, and which is out now on Brooklyn label 577 Records.

Roberto talks about collaborating with Graeme and how that came about, the dynamic of the double bass and guitar, their recording process, the joys of improvisation, the landscape of Perthshire being an influence, the healthy state of jazz in Scotland today, and explains that intriguing album title.

He also tells the fascinating story of how he ended up living and making music in Scotland, before the two discuss his work as an educator, specifically his project Music for the Purpose of Joy which provides group music sessions to children, young people and adults based on Roberto's improvisational approach.

The last time Roberto was on the podcast was during COVID and over Zoom, and it was such a pleasure to be able to talk to him face to face, especially in the beautiful setting of the town of Scone. The resulting interview is a warm, passionate and inspirational conversation which will lift spirits and gladden hearts, and we all need a bit of that.

Full details, including all the ways to listen, are over at scotswhayhae.com