SELECTED INTERVIEWS
Interview for Neon Jazz, September 2026
Interview for Orkesterjournalen, December 2024
Interview for Il Giornale della Musica, June 2022
“Bassist and composer Ilaria Capalbo continues her commitment to thought-provoking writing with The Brightest Sun. The album’s improvisational foundation, compositional conscientiousness and, most importantly, Capalbo’s journey into motherhood — which permeated the timeline of the album’s development —project intentionality and a specific direction.” ★★★⭑— Kira Grunenberg, Downbeat
”Lots of raw melodicism on this highly expressive session from Ilaria Capalbo, with the double bassist’s interactions with the bass clarinet of Thomas Backman as one of the major highlights.” — Dave Sumner, Best Jazz on Bandcamp (USA)
“This is a record that asks something of the listener and repays it fully; each return uncovers detail the last pass missed, which is the surest measure of work built to last. At a compact thirty-seven minutes, it makes its case without a wasted gesture, and it confirms Capalbo as one of the most distinctive bandleaders at work anywhere on the European scene.” ★★★★★ — Steve Williams, UKVIBE
”There’s real substance behind every choice — the free improvisation, the indie and experimental rock textures, the constant tension between structure and freedom — and it holds your attention from the first bar to the last. Every track offers something new to listen for, and I found myself hearing fresh detail on repeated plays. This is a very strong follow-up to Karthago, and in some ways an even more compelling record. Highly recommended.” — Andrew Read, Jazz in Europe (UK)
”It is always a joy to encounter for the first time a musician who sounds so fresh and original and whose music is such a delight. […] It bolsters one’s faith in the future of jazz.”— Chris May, All About Jazz (UK)
“Those of you who have heard Fredrik Nordström’s drumless quartet Dolores are already acquainted with Ilaria Capalbo’s strong, visionary, architectonic playing.” — Magnus Östnäs, Lira (SE)
“Of the same kind as Ellington and Mingus” — Gunnar Wiklund, Folkbladet (SE)
Photo: Paloma Guzman