Gianfranco GFN is a genre-bending artist merging soul, funk, blues, pop and acid jazz. His album GIOMANÈ is a global, organic musical exchange built on groove, instinct and real human chemistry.
1. GIOMANÈ was recorded in Switzerland and Côte d’Ivoire with 15 musicians using 100% organic instruments. How did this international and live approach shape the soul of the album?
GIOMANÈ was born above all from a true exchange between musicians from different countries. These connections grew through shared experiences, both in the studio and on stage, where a genuine human and musical bond developed. I chose these musicians precisely because of the natural chemistry that emerged between us. Each session became a dialogue — a back and forth of ideas, cultures and sensitivities. This amalgamation shaped the soul of the album: a living, sincere music driven by listening, respect and the joy of playing together, without artifice, using only organic instruments and a lot of shared experience.
2. The GIAZZ! universe blends soul, funk, pop, blues and acid jazz. When you compose, do you start with the groove, the emotion, or a story you want to tell?
Most of the time, everything starts with the groove. The groove is the heartbeat — the movement that connects to the body before reaching the emotion. From there, the atmosphere and the emotion naturally follow, and sometimes a story reveals itself along the way. But nothing is fixed: some compositions are born from a feeling, a color, or even a single chord. GIAZZ! is exactly this balance between instinct, emotion and freedom.
3. “Sing The Song” launched the journey in 2022. Looking back, did that single already contain the DNA of what GIOMANÈ would become?
Yes, absolutely. Sing The Song already carried the idea of sharing, freedom and musical celebration that defines GIOMANÈ. It was an invitation to sing, to play, and to come together around the groove. Looking back, I see it as a gateway into this universe — positive, organic music with no stylistic boundaries, deeply human at its core.
4. With several collaborators writing the lyrics for the album, how do you maintain a coherent voice while welcoming so many creative colors?
The coherence comes from the music and the intention behind it. Even if the words come from different writers, the sonic universe, the grooves and the emotional direction remain the same. I always work closely with the lyricists to ensure that each text resonates with the GIAZZ! DNA: sincerity, warmth and groove. The differences then become a strength rather than a dispersion.
5. The album title was born spontaneously, without a specific meaning. How important are instinct and improvisation in your creative process?
Instinct is central to my creative process. GIOMANÈ was born without intellectual reflection — it simply felt right. I like to let things happen naturally, without over-controlling them. Improvisation — whether in notes, words or even titles — helps preserve a sense of truth and freshness. Very often, it’s in these spontaneous moments that the music becomes the most honest.
6. GIOMANÈ will soon be performed live on a new tour. What can audiences expect from the live energy of GFN & The Mystery Band?
They can expect a very vibrant, generous and groove-driven experience. On stage, the songs take on another dimension — more space, more improvisation, and more interaction between the musicians and with the audience. GFN & The Mystery Band is a collective energy, a real musical communion where groove, soul and the joy of playing are at the center. Every concert is unique.
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