Simone Bottasso
I am an Italian artist based in Rotterdam; I like to blend my traditional roots with as many genres as possible. My omnivorous interest in music and the use of imagination in creating sound is constantly driving me in creating music that, before everything, has to surprise myself.
My main instrument is the diatonic accordion, but I also studied classical and jazz flute in Italy and contemporary composition in Netherlands. I developed a style and a technique that allows me to play not only Italian folk music but also classical, jazz and classical Eastern music. I use a built-in MIDI controller to extend the timbres of my accordion.
My main projects are Duo Bottasso, with my brother Nicolò, the New Rotterdam Jazz Orchestra and Accordion Samurai, a quintet of diatonic accordions.
My work as composer is heavily influenced by my passion for traditional music; I combine this with contemporary electronic sounds, field recordings and sound-design, live-video and crazy polyrhythms