Sergio Bellotti (drummer,composer,educator,vocalist) and Tino "Mr. D" D'Agostino (bass,composer,Arranger,Music director) founded Spajazzy in 1998. Read the linear notes from the first album featuring Mike Stern and Jim Kelly on guitars.
The name Spa (ghetti) Jazzy and the rendition of the classic " Estate " by Bruno Martino were a clear indication of the desire
to blend italian melodies with the American world of syncopated rhythms and sophisticated harmonies.
After many years,few international tours,concerts at venues such as Ryles in Boston, 55 in Ny, Berklee Perfomance Center, The Giffoni Film Festival and few european tours,Spajazzy continues to ride the waves of world/jazz music with its arrangements of popular tunes such as St. Thomas,Green Dolphin Street,more italian classics such as Ancora by E. DeCrescenzo as well as originals such as "Coltranapoli". Inspired by an imaginary journey of John Coltrane growing up in Italy,the song was recently the title for a show at the Berklee Performance Center as well as being available in the Stan Getz Music Library of Boston.

Read the Bios of leaders Bellotti and D'Agostino and make sure to visit their web pages www.sergiobellotti.com and www.tinodagostino.com.

Sergio Bellotti

Moved from the south of Italy to the USA in 1995. Very active in the music scene of Boston first and worldwide clinician/performer now, Sergio has recorded and/or shared the stage with Mike Stern, Wayne Krantz, Tom Scott, Bob James, Robben Ford, Nathan East and Dan Siegel among others. He currently plays with fusion ensemble Spajazzy and co-leads a Duo with Percussion Virtuoso and Remo Signature Artist Alessandra Belloni.

Sergio performs weekly with WeJazzUp! as well as with many others local musicians and visting artists. Check the Calendar Section for up to date performance schedule

Sergio is the co-founder of the successful ponte usa program with Franco Rossi from the Accademia di Musica Moderna in Italy which allows him to travel to Italy up to 4 times a year for clinics/masterclasses and concerts.

It also allows international students to travel to Boston for an all inclusive package of lessons/practice time and " life on the scene " with jam sessions etc.

Sergio has taught drumset at Berklee College of Music since 2002, writes for DrumClub magazine in Italy, and, as a worldwide clinician, has performed at the Montreal Drum Fest '03 (now available on DVD), Cape Breton International Drum Fest 2004, 2005 and 2006, Berklee World Percussion Festival '05 and PAS '05 and '09 in the USA and PAS 06 in Italy.

Tino D'Agostino

Born in Italy, he studied Solfege, History of Music and Tonal Harmony at the Salerno Conservatory. In 1987, Tino obtained a bachelor Degree in Classical Trumpet, Summa Cum Laude (Salerno Conservatory). From 1986 to 1995 he performed in the Vicenza Symphonic Orchestra, Verdi Philharmonic, Willy Frank Jazz Orchestra and RAI (Public Italian Television) as well as for nationally known artists such as Cattaneo, Cionfoli and Andrea Bocelli. In 1990-91, he studied Arranging and Conducting with Giuseppe Mirra, Advanced Jazz Improvisation (Siena Jazz Institute) and Harmonic Analysis with Amedeo Tommasi. In 1990, he completed a Degree in Pedagogy and Didactic teaching Methods in Florence.

In 1994, he was the recipient of the “Best Bass Player Award” at the First National Bass Competition in Pesaro. In the same year, he won a full Scholarship from Berklee Umbria Jazz Clinics to study Improvisation in Perugia. He was also chosen as a best bassist for the Touring Berklee/Umbria Jazz Quintet. In 1995, Tino was offered a Full Tuition scholarship to study at the Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA. At Berklee, he studied Performance, Harmony and Arranging with Oscar Stagnaro, Bruce Gertz and Hal Crook. In 1996, he concluded his studies in Berklee with Bachelor’s Degree in Performance, Summa Cum Laude. In 1997, he was awarded with the Bass Department Chair Award, from Berklee College.

In 1998, D’Agostino recorded and produced his first album as a soloist, composer and arranger, “Spajazzy,” featuring Mike Stern and Jim Kelly. 1998 and 1999, he toured Europe with the Steve Hunt Quintet, Jim Kelly Trio and Spajazzy, the jazz band he co-founded with Sergio Bellotti. In 2002 he concluded his Master In Education at Cambridge College. In 2004, Tino was featured on the cover of the SBO Band and Orchestra Magazine. During his career Tino he has taught music and directed individuals as well as groups ranging from small ensembles to full orchestras. Tino is currently teaching ensemble at Berklee College of Music, and he is also the director of the Arlington High School Jazz Band, Orchestra and Symphonic Band, in Massachusetts. Tino is currently writing music articles for bass players on bass magazines such as World Guitar’s Bass Player, Bassics(in USA) and Bass Guitar(UK).
Tino proudly uses Epifani Amplifiers Systems, Zon Elite Bass and DR Strings