Non-Places

GleAM Records is proud to announce the release of Non-Places, the first album of the nonet Bignami Veltri Jazz Ensemble, conducted by the composers Anna Bignami and Laura Veltri. The album will be available in digital download/streaming from June 12, 2026 distributed by Believe Digital, and on CD from September 25, 2026 distributed by Naxos Music and Galileo Music.

“ Anna Bignami and Laura Veltri, with their jazz ensemble and the release Non-Places, have created a fresh new take on a fully orchestrated jazz ensemble, which pays great respect to tradition and at the same time reflects the two young Italian composers’ poetic curiosity and deep insight into the many sonic facets a small ensemble possesses. An ensemble consisting of a 6 horns and jazz trio- with some of the top musicians from the Danish jazz scene.” Jens Christian “Chappe” Jensen

The title, Non-Places, refers to the concept introduced by French anthropologist Marc Augé, according to whom “non-places” are spaces of contemporary life—such as airports, shopping malls, or train stations—characterised by transience and anonymity. These are environments lacking historical depth and emotional resonance, existing primarily through their function. The increasing presence of such impersonal spaces invites us to reflect on the environments we inhabit and on how the accelerated rhythm of modern life may alter our relationship with history, with others, and ultimately with ourselves.

Musically, Non-Places is rooted in the sound of the modern large jazz ensemble, drawing inspiration from composers such as Jim McNeely, Maria Schneider, Darcy James Argue, and Miho Hazama. This foundation is expanded through the use of extended techniques from contemporary classical music and electronic elements, creating a modern sonic universe while remaining firmly rooted in the jazz language.

“With these original compositions, we do not intend to impose our interpretation or influence the listener’s thoughts; rather, our aim is to open a space for reflection on themes that, prior to the compositional process, often went unnoticed even by ourselves.
Among these are the loss of identity, conformity imposed by social systems, isolation resulting from the gradual disappearance of communal spaces, gentrification, and cultural homogenisation accelerated by the rise of the internet and modern technologies.” Anna Bignami e Laura Veltri