KoSA Italy

Contact:

• Jolan Kovacs

• 514-482-5554

• info@kosamusic.com

August 11, 2025 – Montreal, Canada: Since 1996, KoSA Music has been transforming the lives of travelers who want to learn in an in-depth and personalized way about the culture, the historical traditions, the music, the dance traditions and the culinary practices of a particular country. KoSA, a Montreal-based events company specializes in creating first-class cultural and educational travel trips to such places as Cuba, China, the US, Canada and now Southern Italy.

This summer, the KoSA team took their expertise to Southern Italy for an unforgettable adventure.The director and founder of KoSA Music, Aldo Mazza, an internationally recognized drummer and percussionist, along with his musician wife, Dr. Jolán Kovács, were the hosts of this incredible event. Participants came from the US, Europe and Canada, to soak up all facets of this unique culture.

This week-long event took place July 14-21 in the city of Catanzaro –  a quaint and elegant city also known as the “City of the Two Seas” ” because it is situated at the narrowest point of southern Italy, separating the Ionian Sea to the east and the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west. Catanzaro is also the capital of the province of Calabria – the “toe” of the Italian boot. All participants stayed at a historical “boutique hotel” right in the heart of downtown Catanzaro, within walking distance to great pastry and coffee shops and delicious restaurants.

The KoSA program consisted of various classes in music, history,culture, dance and the culinary arts. All classes were held at the Tchaikovsky Music Conservatory of Catanzaro.

Kicking off the week was an informative history class given by the talented Calabrian musician and scholar Danilo Gatto who spoke passionately about the music and dance traditions of Southern Italy and its evolution. The fantastic Southern Italian frame drum artist Antonio Petitto showcased his skills on the frame drum and patiently helped participants understand and learn to play the basic principles of various Southern Italian frame drumming styles.

All participants were literally on their feet for the Southern Italian dance class taught by Andrea Bressi and which was accompanied by the Southern Italian traditional bagpipes and accordion playing of Christian Ferlaino. Alessandro Marzano wowed participants with his incredible jazz skills on the drumset. His experimental avant-garde style was a true hit with all participants and his expert advice on playing less to achieve more was truly inspirational. He was accompanied by the uber-talented jazz singer Sara Rotella whose voice can best be described as bold and exquisite.

A highlight of the week was the mouth-watering meal everyone took part in preparing. This hands-on workshop was taught by one of Catanzaro’s top chefs, Emanuele Plati. Plati’s excitement for cooking was truly infectious and the participants not only got a taste of his culinary talents, but were privileged to learn the secrets to making the perfect homemade pasta amongst other great dishes.

KoSA’s director Aldo Mazza- who was actually born in Southern Italy- taught classes in both drumset and congas with a particular emphasis on Cuban rhythms teaching from his highly acclaimed method book “ Cuban Rhythms for Drumset and Percussion: The Essentials”. Mazza actually demonstrated the similarities and musical connections between Cuban ternary music and that of Western Africa and the traditional Tarantella rhythms of Southern Italy.

True to signature KoSA events, amazing jam sessions were scattered throughout the week giving participants a chance to jam with the local musicans. A talented brother duo made up of Francesco Cerullo (piano) and Giacomo Cerullo (bass) who both study at the Catanzaro Conservatory happily shared their talents throughout the week. A special surprise guest visit was the in-house concert jam session with the mega-talented guitarist and composer Dave Howard (former Faculty member at Berklee College in Boston) who now lives in Italy. He was accompanied by two phenomenal musicians in their own right: Sal Urzino (sax) and Francesco Talotta (bass).

Throughout this perfect musical and gastronomical adventure, participants had the chance to also go to the beautiful beaches of Calabria, attend concerts and take in important historical and archeological sites.

KoSA Calabria 2025 edition was made possible by the invaluable support of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory of Catanzaro, as well as the precious collaboration of the Catanzaro Jazz Festival under the leadership of Francesco Panara and Roberta Giuditta.

Plans are already underway to make KoSA Calabria an annual experience so if you missed it this time, mark your calendars for this summer’s edition which will be held July 13-20, 2026!