Spotlight: Francesco Turrisi
Francesco Turrisi has been defined as a “musical alchemist” and a “musical polyglot." He has released five critically acclaimed albums as a leader and two as co-leader (“Tarab” a cross boundary innovative ensemble that blends Irish and Mediterranean traditional music, and “Zahr” a project that looks at connections between southern Italian traditional music and Arabic music).
Can you please share a bit about your journey as a musician and how you became involved with Silkroad?
I trained in Jazz, early music, and classical music. I also studied and got exposed to traditional music from southern Italy, the Balkans, North Africa, Turkey, and other areas of the Mediterranean. I got introduced into Silkroad through my partner Rhiannon Giddens. The type of work and music within this ensemble and organization represents everything I have been trying to do with my own music. I have led and performed in many ensembles that try to combine different languages and styles, so for me joining Silkroad feels almost like an extension of the work that I have been doing for years and like a homecoming on a larger scale.
How do you stay inspired and creative, especially during challenging times or periods of uncertainty?
Usually, my curiosity is what keeps my creativity alive. I own many instruments and the never-ending amount of work required to improve on all these instruments keeps my creative appetite alive. The other thing that keeps me inspired is listening to new music, something that I do everyday.
What is one of your favorite memories while working with Silkroad?
The incredible energy on stage at my first performance with Silkroad. But also the amazing human beings and the exhilarating times I've had with them on and off stage during tours. It's an amazing community.
What is one piece of advice you would give to a budding artist?
I think you should always keep your curiosity alive, and be open to anything that the universe throws at you. You will be surprised at how sometimes you will reach your goals from a completely different angle than the one you imagined for yourself.
How do you see music as a tool for social change and connection, especially in today's world?
For me personally, I see music as a tool of communication. I use it to tell stories and history. Music has a special power to convey human emotions without using words and a language, and that can be used as a tool to communicate the universality of humanity in a world that constantly tries to separate us.
What sort of projects or activities are you working on outside of Silkroad?
I perform with my partner Rhiannon Giddens in her band and on our own duo project. I have my own multimedia solo project and a few groups that I work with in Ireland. I also have a substack page called "Cooking by Ear" where I write about food and music in similar ways.