James Senese
Gaetano "James" Senese (6 January 1945 – 29 October 2025) was an Italian saxophonist, composer, actor and singer-songwriter.[1] He was born in Naples, Italy.[2] His career began in the 1960s as a member of the rhythm and blues band The Showmen.
In 1974 Senese co-founded and led the jazz-progressive rock group Napoli Centrale. After the group broke-up in 1978, he started performing with James Brown, Ornette Coleman, Gil Evans, Art Ensemble of Chicago and Roberto De Simone.[3] His first solo album was released in 1983 by Polydor Records.[2][1]
Senese played himself in the 1982 comedy movie No Thanks, Coffee Makes Me Nervous. He also had a small role in the 2000 comedy movie Zora the Vampire. A documentary movie about Senese, James, was released in 2020 at the 77th Venice Film Festival.[4]
Senese died on 29 October 2025 at a hospital in Naples from problems caused by pneumonia at the age of 80.[3]
References
[change | change source]- 1 2 Enzo Giannelli. "Senese, James". Gino Castaldo (ed.). Dizionario della canzone italiana. Curcio Editore, 1990.
- 1 2 Livio Quagliata (1 May 2016). "James Senese, "O' sanghe" di un nero a metà". La Repubblica. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
- 1 2 Aymone, Carmine (29 October 2025). "È morto James Senese, il sax che parlava napoletano, «nero a metà» per eccellenza". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ↑ "«James» Senese fa ripartire AstraDoc". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). 16 December 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
Other websites
[change | change source]
- James Senese at AllMusic
- James Senese discography at Discogs
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