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Humanity, nature and freedom are at the forefront of Diana Torti stunning new album Fearless.
A vocalist known for her versatility and authenticity, Diana Torti presents an album that skilfully questions our ability to be free while confirming our resilience and capacity to rise above the challenges throughout the world. She reinforces the importance of being our authentic selves and to do so without fear. Diana captivates us with these themes not only through her voice but her lyrics and thankfully, reminds us of the importance of the role of the lyricist. It is of no surprise that one of the UK’s best-loved lyricist’s Georgia Mancio, not only champions Diana’s work but shares her thoughts on the liner notes telling us that ‘Diana soars through this series of poetical vignettes that commune with Nature, Art, the story of jazz, and our truest interpersonal struggles.’
With a prolific career rich with exciting collaborations with artists such as Ennio Morricone and Luca Francesconi, it is surprising that Diana is making her debut as a leader with Fearless but what a debut it is! Diana is firmly placing her mark on the world and presenting her visionary approach to her artistry for all to see. Supported by an incredible line up of musicians Andrea Colella (double bass) Francesco De Rubeis (percussions, drums) and another visionary, guitarist Sabino de Bari who composed 6 of the 7 tracks. Sabino and Diana’s inspired partnership has already been well established through previous albums including the critically acclaimed On a Cloud (2019) and It’s All We Have (2023) and Sabino’s contribution to this album is significant. The soundscapes they create through guitar and voice are sublime, perfectly matched as one, but gifting each other with individual space to shine.
‘Hawk’s Hills’ one of two singles released ahead of the album, and the first track on the album, sets the scene for Diana’s narrative. The track showcases double bassist Andrea Colella with a fierce, driving bass line beautifully aligned with Francesco De Rubeis on drums. Diana’s tells us ‘Here comes the time: now fly’ and oh my goodness she does indeed fly. Her voice entwines with the sounds of the Mediterranean and the legacy of jazz and she expertly uses her improvisational space for a conversational piece that really does soar.
The second single the magical ‘Montmartre Café’ delicately embraces the creative space and the nostalgia of artistic movements in times gone by in Paris. A beautifully graceful solo from Sabino and the elegance of this track as a whole is sublime. The title track ‘Fearless’ is beautifully haunting. Combining strength with vulnerability, this track is a masterclass in the art of storytelling. The final track and the only cover on the album is ‘Afro Blue’ written by Mongo Santamaria and famously performed by Abbey Lincoln, John Coltrane and others. Diana takes an inspired approach to this and her reflection on ‘a land my soul is from’ is palpable.
Diana explains that at its core Fearless is ‘inspired by the courage to express ourselves authentically, valuing our uniqueness and originality, in a contemporary world often shaped by stereotypes, imposed rules, and trends aligned with economic and cultural pressures that threaten individuality and freedom of expression.’
I cannot recommend this album highly enough. Diana Torti stands strong and indeed fearless – a truly original artist.
The album launch will take place on April 10, at Arciliuto Jazz Club in Rome (Italy) after which the album will available here on Bandcamp worldwide.
All tracks composed by Sabino de Bari except track 7 (music by Mongo Santamaria).
All lyrics by Diana Torti, except track 7 (Oscar Brown Jr.) and track 3 (Sabino de Bari).
Diana Torti: vocals
Sabino de Bari: classical guitar, fretless guitar
Andrea Colella: double bass
Francesco De Rubeis: percussions, drums
Recorded and mixed at La Strada Studios in Rome (Italy) in October 2024. Except for vocals and guitar solo on track 7, recorded at Westpoint Studios in London (UK) and mixed by Sabino de Bari in October 2025. Mastered by Sabino de Bari. Photos by Monika S. Jakubowska. Graphics by Antonella Zurzolo
Last modified: April 3, 2026
