Hit Week, the world’s only festival showcasing Italy’s music scene on the global stage, returns to the US with tour stops slated for Miami and Los Angeles in October and November.

Marking its 5th Miami edition, Hit Week 2015 kicks off at the North Beach Bandshell on on Sunday October, 18th with a stellar line-up featuring Jazz-based singer and instrumentalist Chiara Civello, Electro-Taranta band Kalàscima and multidisciplinary Roman group Le Cardamomò.

Cited as “the best jazz singer of her generation” by Tony Bennett, Chiara Civello will perform repertoire from her album “Canzoni” (Songs).  Released in the US on October 9th via Sony Music, “Canzoni” is the Italian songbook as never heard before — Chiara’s modern take on contemporary classics from Paolo Conte to Vinicio Capossela, Ennio Morricone to Rita Pavone and Subsonica to Negramaro.

Hailing from Italy’s red hot Puglia region, Kalàscima makes their long-awaited US live debut.  The Salento-based 6-piece band’s original saund from sauf ov itali, or innovative mix of Electronic Music and Southern Italian Folk, has made them a festival favorite for the past fifteen years — from La Notte della Taranta to international tour stops in Australia, Latin America, the Middle East and Northern Europe.

Le Cardamomò is an award-winning Roman 4-piece project mixing global rhythms with theater and video-art.

In the run-up to Miami, Northeast audiences can get Hit Week preview with Chiara Civello live in Boston on Wednesday October, 14th at Scullers. Also on Wednesday October 14th, Kalàscima will perform a showcase at New York City’s top World Music boîte DROM.  Kalàscima’s US appearances are made possible by the support of Puglia Sounds.

PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (PFM) (translation: Award-winning Marconi Bakery)

Headlining the Los Angeles edition of Hit Week on Friday November, 13th at the Whisky a Go Go are Italian Prog Rock legends Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM).  The first Italian group to achieve international acclaim, between 1973 and 1977 PFM charted 5 English language albums in the US and UK, successfully touring both countries with highlights including appearances at England’s Reading Festival as well as on US late night television.

PFM introduced new sounds, such as the synthesizer, to the Italian musical world.  They were also among the first to combine symphonic classical and traditional Italian musical influences in a rock music context.  Such innovations and their longevity have made them among the most important bands in the international Progressive Rock genre.  From Japan to the US, from Korea to the UK, from Canada to Mexico, and everywhere in between, PFM is hailed as Prog Rock masterpiece.

PFM’s Whisky show is a special celebration of the 40th anniversary of the band’s 1 week residency at the legendary Sunset Strip spot.

Sunday, October 18, 2015                Miami Beach, FL
Chiara Civello, Kalàscima and Le Cardamomò
North Beach Bandshell
7275 Collins Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33141
Show: 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Admission: Free/Gratis
(305) 672-5202
http://www.northbeachbandshell.com/event/hit-week-unexpected-sounds-from-italy/

Fridayday, November 13, 2014             Los Angeles, CA
Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM)
Whisky a Go Go
8901 Sunset Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
$35.00 Advance / $40.00 Day Of Show / $65.00 VIP Experience (Sound Check, Meet & Greet)
(310) 652-4202
http://www.whiskyagogo.com/site/event/pfm-premiata-forneria-marconi/
http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=6018175



Hit Week (the H is not pronounced in Italian) was created with the goal of shattering the stereotypes most often associated with contemporary Italian music and its place in the worldwide music scene.  After debuting in Los Angeles in 2010, the festival has since travelled to New York, Washington DC, Miami, Toronto and Montreal in the US and Canada, as well as the Chinese cities of Beijing and Shanghai and Rio De Janeiro in Brazil.  Notable Hit Week alumni in the American market include Ludovico Einaudi, Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino, Nicola Conte, Caparezza, Calibro 35, Franco Battiato and Elisa.

Hit Week 2015 is realized trough the support of FIMI, Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico, Ice-Italian Trade Agency, Puglia Sounds-Teatro Pubblico Pugliese.  The Miami edition receives support from Alfa Romeo & FIAT North Miami and the City of Miami Beach and is produced by The Rhythm Foundation for Mela, Inc.