Filippo Valli
Filippo Valli is a Swiss saxophonist and composer. A saxophone gifted at his father’s birthday sparked his passion. Self-taught at first, he later embraced jazz and improvisation. Today, he performs his own compositions, blending technical skill with emotional depth.
In conversation with Filippo Valli during the exhibition Oltre la pietra at Castelgrande, Bellinzona.
Tell us about the project you presented at Oltre la pietra
For the performance at Oltre la pietra I formed a trio specifically for the occasion, featuring a drummer from my regular quartet and a double bassist who studied at the same school I attended. Usually, I perform with a quartet of musicians I met during my academic journey, like Alessandro Alarcon (drums), who’s also a dear friend; Emilio Giovanoli (double bass) from Bellinzona, Ticino; and on piano, a young musician from Martinique I met through a school project. With this group, I’ve finally been able to test my music live. It was the first time I played my original compositions on stage, and it was incredible. I was finally sharing something that truly came from within me. Not just interpreting a written piece, but expressing my voice. I believe people can finally understand what I want to communicate, or at least see where I’m heading.
How did you start?
I started playing thanks to my father. During his 50th birthday party, he invited a group of friends who played different instruments, and that was the first time I ever held a saxophone. One of his colleagues gave it to me as a gift, and I immediately fell in love with it. That’s when I decided to begin studying it. It’s a funny story that I love to tell.
At the beginning, I played more as a hobby. I was finishing middle school at the time, so school was still my main focus. But the passion for music was always there - I listened to a lot of music across all genres. Jazz came later. With the saxophone, I discovered the art of improvisation and began experimenting. It was a very creative way to learn at first. I didn’t even know how to play the instrument, yet I was already improvising. I guess that creative impulse was already inside me. [...] After finishing high school, I had to choose a path for my life. That’s when I decided to immerse myself in the world of music. Diving into jazz and learning new musical languages and techniques allowed me to gradually build a solid musical foundation. Over time, this enabled me to bring something truly my own to the table. When I compose, I usually start from something spontaneous, a sax melody, something I hum, or even a bassline. Now that I’ve started experimenting with piano, I often begin with richer harmonic foundations for my pieces.
What challenges do you face as an artist? I feel fortunate to live in a place where art has value and there are spaces to express yourself, unlike in other places, where artists may be less appreciated. Still, I often feel social pressure: questions like “Did you choose the right path?” or “Will you make a living doing just this?” These doubts have made me hesitant at times. But alongside them, I’ve always had a strong conviction and deep passion. As artists, we often work harder. Often, you are your own boss, so you must set your goals and pursue them yourself. I believe the key is to study, really absorb as much information as possible (...). Other factors come into play, like luck and perseverance, which are essential. Communication is critical: you must be able to present yourself and your work in a way that emotionally connects with people or at least makes an impression. I follow what I truly like. If a piece of music excites me, I make it. Sure, I’m aware of trends and may use them strategically, but I’m not someone willing to change completely to give the audience what they want. I won’t sell myself out.
What are your plans for the future? Right now, I’m writing new material and bringing my original compositions to more venues. I’m versatile and open to performing not only in my project but also as a side musician in various formats, from big bands and large ensembles to smaller ensembles. I’m even considering pairing with Alessandro for an experimental sax-and-drums duo, and I’d love to introduce a vocalist into my music at some point, adding that human voice element.