Lecturer:
Paul Ricci – a guitarist of rare versatitlity, Ricci masterfully navigates jazz, bossa nova and Afro-latin rhythms with New York grit and Brazilian soul. After honing his craft at New England Conservatory, he performed/recorded with icons like Astrud Gilberto, Harry Belafonte and jazz greats Roy Haynes and Kenny Barron. His profound understanding of Brazilian jazz informs both his performance and pedagogy. As producer/arranger, he shaped Mafalda Minnozzi´s signature sound across albums like RIOFONIC and SENSORIAL.
Mafalda Minnozzi – this Italian-born songstress has become a global jazz ambassador, particularly beloved in Brazil´s MPB scene and New York´s jazz circles. Her collaborations read like a who´s who of world jazz – from Milton Nascimento´s poetic lyricism to Dave Liebman´s avant-garde exploriations. The groundbreaking RIOFONIC album, featuring Ricci´s arrangements, made history with its 23-week chart run on JAZZWEEK USA, showcasting Minnozzi´s ability to bridge continents through sound. www.mafaldaminnozzi.com
When:
July 22nd – 23rd, 2026
Start of the course on 22.07.2026 at 10:30 a.m.
The course will end on 23.07.2026 around 18:00
Contents:
This master class takes off from where technical learning leaves off, offering insights into how to react in a band setting and translate subtle rhythmic nuances into a performance that can lift the music, the band and the audience. Shaped by decades of global performance and under the tutelage of Samba Jazz drumming pioneers Edison Machado and Dom Um Romao, Paul has produced and arranged 29 albums in Brazil and New York, including „The Path (Origin Records – 2026), his new release of original compositions, featuring Anthony Jackson, Steve Jordan, Randy Brecker, Manolo Badrena, Jurim Moreira, Abdoulaye Diabaté, and Hugo Fattoruso.
With Mafalda Minnozzi joining the masterclass, they will demonstrate the real-time interplay and decision-making behind reinventing arrangements anew with each performance. Students will gain a rare opportunity to explore the art of the duo from the guitarist’s perspective, learning to maximize its creative potential. The session will also delve into Ricci and Minnozz’s expertise as composers. Original works like „Postcard from Rio“ and „Café South American Style“— recently playlisted on the world’s top jazz radio stations-will serve as case studies, alongside pieces such as „Velocità Massima“ and „Il Mare dell’Amor, featured in acclaimed film and TV soundtracks.
Fingerpicking technique: explore Ricci’s unique fingerpicking style, tailored to maximize the guitar’s rhythmic potential in diverse musical settings. You’ll have a new perspective to internalize complex rhythms and make them a natural part of your playing. Detailed and personalized feedback wil help you refine your technique and incorporate it into your own musical style.
Cultural immersion: delve into the essence of various music styles through Ricci and Minnozzi’s firsthand experiences with some of the world’s most renowned musicians. Special emphasis will be placed on jazz and Brazilian music, drawing from theirover 35 years of immersion in Brazil’s vibrant musical landscape.
Advanced arrangement skills: Ricci’s extensive experience as an arranger and producer are applied to how to create compelling arrangements that bring out the strengths of not only the guitar, but other instruments to get the aesthetic beauty out of any composition.
Target group:
Vocals, guitarists and instrumentalists. Non-, semi-, professionals and all music lovers.
Classes are held exclusively in Italian, Portuguese and English.
Maximum 15 participants
Costs:
Course fee € 160,00
Accommodation in the guest house of the Academy, 1/2 double room incl. full board € 120,00 per person
Early arrival or later departure € 40,00 every additional night
Text: lecturers
Photos: private