Westbound

Guitarist Cristian Rocco and drummer Enrico Catena begun 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, a well-known italian drummer. He worked with several bands, playing in various festivals across Europe, as opening band at big names’ concerts, such as 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 such as Logic Studio (Milan), Fonoprint (Bologna) and IRA (Florence). He appeared in many national TV shows such as Festivalbar ’99 with famous italian singer Giorgia, among the others. Enrico usually plays with various artists from US like Tommy Womack, Patrice Pike and Ginger Leigh, with whom he toured across Europe and America. Enrico is a drum teacher in a number of music school in Northern Italy as well. Cristian and Enrico are also backing italian singer/songwriter Beppe Donadio.
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.
By the way, is there anybody out there working on booking gigs, shows,etc. willing to help us?!?...don’t be shy...!!Thanks, Enrico & Cristian
Photos C2007 Gruppo Fotografico Click Foto - Flero (BS)

"Identity Kit" Contemporary Art Exhibition, Sept.29,2007 - C2007 Wtbmusic