# Away with you – a swinging tribute to Paolo Conte: French – Dressing and German – Austrian side dishes: Photos

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2026/03/17/away-with-you-a-swinging-tribute-to-paolo-conte-french-dressing-and-german-austrian-side-dishes-photos/
- Published: 2026-03-17T05:00:36+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**Italian Romanticism with French Flair in a German Jazz Club, or a Homecoming for
the “Bass Professor”**

It’s not every day that the manager of a jazz club personally picks up a bass after
announcing the concert. Mini Schulz is a professor of bass playing at the Stuttgart
University of Music and Performing Arts, as well as one of the founding partners
of the BIX Jazz Club.

![](https://i0.wp.com/www.jazzreportagen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Via_Con_Te_4263_C_Rainer_Ortag.
jpg?w=640&ssl=1)

The versatility of his musical work is evident once again this evening with “Via
Con Te,” a project that portrays the Italian music legend Paolo Conte. Whether with
the SWR Radio Symphony Orchestra, the SWR Big Band, Max Greger, Lou Reed, Paul Kuhn,
or Wolfgang Dauner, his musical career to date is unparalleled in its diversity.
And so it is this evening: “Something completely different, an experiment that works
wonderfully and is also a lot of fun!” he remarks during the introduction.

These are the same: “Something completely different, an experiment that works wonderfully
and is also a lot of fun!” The band is international, and singer Marie Foessel is
equally versatile, specializing in jazz and vocal music.

![](https://i0.wp.com/www.jazzreportagen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Via_Con_Te_4280_C_Rainer_Ortag.
jpg?w=640&ssl=1)

She teaches voice at the Conservatoire de Beaulieu-sur-Mer and regularly performs
in concerts and festivals, as well as in various chamber music and jazz-oriented
projects. Marco Vezzoso is an Italian jazz trumpeter from Alba who studied at the
Turin Conservatory and has lived in France since 2012, where he is a professor of
jazz trumpet at the Conservatoire National de Nice.

Alessandro Collina is an Italian jazz pianist known, among other things, for his
extensive work with Vezzoso. The duo has performed in Japan, China, Southeast Asia,
and Europe, representing Italy at festivals such as the European Jazz Festival in
Canton. Further collaborations have led to concerts and recordings with Trilok Gurtu
and Dominique di Piazza.

![](https://i0.wp.com/www.jazzreportagen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Via_Con_Te_4328_C_Rainer_Ortag.
jpg?w=640&ssl=1)

Austrian drummer Bernd Reiter, who studied in Graz and New York and now lives in
Paris after several years in Munich, has performed worldwide with many jazz greats
such as Harold Mabern, Kirk Lightsey, Don Menza, Steve Grossman, Jim Rotondi, and
countless others. His playing has received numerous awards; he is an indispensable
figure at the pinnacle of the European jazz scene.

![](https://i0.wp.com/www.jazzreportagen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Via_Con_Te_4284_C_Rainer_Ortag.
jpg?w=640&ssl=1)

**A Time of Getting Used To, Conte Songs, and Beautiful Female Vocals**

The concert begins with a swinging, “circus-like” musical element, in which the 
performers demonstrate their virtuosity on their respective instruments within the
first few minutes. So far, so good, as far as the instrumental sound is concerned.

When the French vocalist raises her voice after a few minutes of instrumental prelude,
some listeners, who have Conte’s rough voice in mind, are confused. Something doesn’t
seem to fit, says the subconscious, which has stored the “raspy” spoken-word style
of the Italian chansonnier.

The Italian lyrics are presented in a soft, gentle voice with a slight French accent.
The overall quality is quite pleasant to listen to, but as mentioned, those conditioned
to listening habits of Conte might have some difficulty adjusting.

![](https://i0.wp.com/www.jazzreportagen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Via_Con_Te_4255_C_Rainer_Ortag.
jpg?w=640&ssl=1)

After a few minutes of getting used to it, the quality does become apparent, and
one can enjoy this diverse musical journey. Trumpeter Marco Vezzoso takes center
stage with his intelligent solos, while his bandmates initially remain discreetly
in the background.

During the breaks between songs, singer Foessel speaks charmingly and humorously,
sometimes in English, sometimes interspersed with snippets of French, recounting,
among other things, how she discovered Paolo Conte through her father and was captivated
from the very beginning.

For the first half hour, the musical performance meanders along somewhat lethargically.
The spark doesn’t quite ignite with the audience at first.

Even lesser-known pieces find their place. In the second part of the evening, once
the listeners’ habits have adjusted to the “different sound,” the performance picks
up some momentum. The musical quality also improves considerably, as the soloists
can now dedicate more time to showcasing their individual talents.

![](https://i0.wp.com/www.jazzreportagen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Via_Con_Te_4295_C_Rainer_Ortag.
jpg?w=640&ssl=1)

The sound becomes more jazzy, although pianist Alessandro Collina occasionally makes
a slip-up during his solo excursions. What might be interpreted as a dissonant note
from trumpeter Vezzoso is intentional and moves beyond conventional trumpet playing.

Drummer Bernd Reiter remains discreetly in the background with his understated playing,
but manages to shine with a crisp, short, yet technically brilliant solo. And, of
course, host Mini Schulz also has the stage to himself for a few minutes with one
of his characteristically professional solos.

**Marie Foessel (vocals)**
 **Marco Vezzoso (trp)** **Alessandro Collina (p)** **
Mini Schulz (b)** **Bernd Reiter (dr)**

![](https://i0.wp.com/www.jazzreportagen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Via_Con_Te_4361_C_Rainer_Ortag.
jpg?w=640&ssl=1)

### _Related_