1, kick, 2, snare, 3, kick, 4, snare...
Simplicity is Not Stupidity ACCORDING TO italian top drummer giuseppe d’ortona A.K.A Passerotto
A Lifetime behind THE drum kit that led to fame by following four simple steps.
INTERVIEW BY MARCO CINELLI
Given name and birthplace
My name is Giuseppe Filippo D’Ortona but I go by Passerotto, I was born in Atessa (CH) Italy the 29th of September 1984.
What is the origin of your nickname ‘Passerotto’? Is there a English version of it “Sparrow”?
It started because of Abas ( Daniele Labbate ). The year was 2006 and we were all hanging out -a bit high of course – in Rome and he started calling me Passerotto because I was round and big just like a big sparrow. No, there is no English version but you never know :D
What episode in your life made you want to start play drums?
I was 7 or 8 years old, my father had bought Zucchero’s Latest album, “Miserere”. I heard a song called “L’urlo” and that groove blew my mind instantly. After that, I discovered Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple. That hi-hat thing made me fell in love.
What is the most useful groove in the world?
Defo the one you can hear in Billy Jean, Back in Black, I’ll be waiting etc. The “1, kick, 2, snare, 3, kick, 4, snare”.
Once I heard someone saying that simplicity is not stupidity.
Do you like watching extracts of drummers exercising on a daily basis or do you not watch them at all?
I do not watch drummers doing daily practice. I really love watching my favourite musicians (not only drummers) playing their best licks, songs, grooves. My most recent crushes are B. B. King’s How blue can you get extract from a live concert recorded in Italy in 1989, an incredible Prince’s live performance from 2005 @36th NAACP and a gospel song called You can’t beat God’s giving played by Billy Preston.
During the Italian TV show X-Factor
Who is your biggest musical mentor?
Quincy Jones.
What is your favourite drum set to play live?
Most definitely a Ludwig Classic Maple.
22 Kick, 13 tom, 14+16 ftom. and 14x5 or 14x6,5 Ludwig Acrolite, Ludwig A.T.L.A.S Hardware
Paiste Masters Cymbals 15hh, 16+18+20 crash, 20 ride,Vic Firth 5A sticks, Porter and Davies BC2 throne.
How about your favourite drum set for studio recording?
An Old Ludwig Classic maple from 70s 22/13/16 with my beloved preserial Supraphonic. Alternatively, an acrolyte or a Craviotto 14x6 snare drums.
As for the miking, it depends on the style and sound I need to produce.
As for an old school mike, I am always fond of the good old Glyn Johns. Every drummer should practice with this miking technique, it’s a very nice test bench.
Otherwise, for something more modern-ish, I usually close mike everything and add a mono ribbon room mic or stereo ribbon/fet room mics. the mic choice is very important in this phase i think. Of Course i use duck tape or dish clothes or towels to muffle my drums, even the snare of course.
Who is the most tasteful studio drummer of all time?
Let me pick four: Adam Deitch, ?uest Love, Steve Jordan, John JR Robinson.
Quincy Jones inspired me a lot in terms of expanding our comfort zone and I also believe that nowadays a drummer cannot be only a bum-bum-cha-guy
If you could go back in time, would you ever choose a different main instrument to play?
Uhm, I don’t think so.
To be a drummer you have quite an impressive harmonic knowledge. Tell me more about it and how you have acquired it in time.
At first, it was just curiosity. Later, I started to play piano and it was all an easy association like flavours in food. Quincy Jones inspired me a lot in terms of expanding our comfort zone and I also believe that nowadays a drummer cannot be only a bum-bum-cha-guy. Especially if you’re also a producer or songwriter.
If we can erase this year from the files I can pretty much declare that you are one of the most prolific Italian drummers at the moment. Tell me more about how it all started and how it rapidly became a stardom to success.
It all started in late 2015 while I was in Philadelphia and I received a call from Marco Leonetti (we call him Big Daddy). He asked me to audition for an artist called COEZ for his upcoming tour. We did our first tour together and it was amazing. Day by day, the dream came true. Bro, he is one of the best songwriters in Italy imho. That big talent, added up to a very close knit team, a bit of good luck and a very good management, made it happen.
the Verona Arena during COEZ’ È SEMPRE BELLO IN TOUR
Are you fulfilled in Italy with the national music scene and all? I know you mainly like American music and afro American beats. Any regret?
No regrets Bro, I really like to add those “flavours” in our musical scene.
The Root from D'Angelo really changed my life
Do you remember the fist time we listened to D’Angelo together? That was one of my biggest revelations in life. Tell me what you remember about that day.
OMG, that day literally changed my life. We were in Groningen (Netherlands), we were in Ziggie’s house and he said: “Hey guys, check this out!” and he put Voodoo on his turntable, the song was The Root. That really was the root for everything: I saw the light. I remember that I was close to the turntable, you were on the couch, and I looked you and said: “What is this, man!?”. That drum beat I discovered; it really changed my life.
You and I share a friendship that is 15 years long now. I remember when I first met you. You were playing drums in the practicing booth at the St. Louis College of Music and I was struck by your gigantic presence that made the drum kit look vulnerable, easy to play, easy to control. Do you remember the first time you saw me if different that in that particular moment on the other side of the glass? I don’t think we met eyes on that occasion.
Of course, I remember! We were at an audition for an ensemble music class at school and you were there with your guitar (it was your brown 335) I guess playing unplugged and I was completely mesmerised by your sound, even if it came out only from your fingers.
Growlin’ Love and Pain is a band with a mission.
OFC, il Tallio. (Sorry readers, irresistible inside joke) One of my favourite music projects of all times.
Giuseppe D’Ortona, Marco Cinelli and Daniele Labbate
Tell me a little bit about the recording of Terry like you were telling it to someone who doesn’t know anything about GLP and Terry.
It was just like a a big reunion of four friends who haven’t seen each other for years. A lot to remember and celebrate, a lot of very good music to play and record, lot of laughs and loads of funny moments playing together. Terry is the proof of that friendship.
What is your personal score record in eating arrosticini all during the same meal?
93 arrosticini in one meal in 2012.
What is the funniest thing you have ever heard from me, except for real farts?
Obiouvsly, the fake farts you do with the hands.
How was playing with Alessandro on our quarantine project to raise funds for the NHS, I Lived?
You two guys seem to have a mutual professional respect other than a solid friendship. You’re absolutely right, we never played together but in that record I felt like we’ve been working together for years. He’s a super drummer. He has drive, sound, groove. What else?
What do you think about the Cinelli Brothers?
When I first listened to the final mix of Baby Please Set Up Your Alarm, it took me to the 60’s with that sound. Authentic and also very respectful about the blues tradition even if we were in 2010’s. I know by heart all the songs on the record. BEST BLUES BAND IN TOWN GUYS!
Who or what can save the world from total collapse?
An hammond b3 with 2 leslies at maximum speed.
Who is the best Italian singer of all times?
Lucio Dalla.
Do prefer to have a hammond B-3 with two Leslie 122 at home in Rome or leave in NOLA and not even having the possibility to own a lousy drumkit?
The first one, Bro.
How do you write my first name in Russian?
MAPKO.
Are you available for studio session gigs even for foreigners customers? What style of music? Is there something you don’t do?
Of course, I am available for studio sessions and for gigs as well. No problem at all. I like to play different kinds of music, especially when its flavoured with groove and soul. I also have been playing with Big Bands for many years, that was an incredible experience, especially for a drummer. I actually don’t play Brazilian and Latin American music, just because I never went really into it.
How can people contact you?
They can search for Giuseppe D’Ortona on Facebook
- “Passer8_” for Instagram users
- g.dortona@gmail.com for everyone :D
Passerotto in his recording studio L’Albero in Rome
