In the deepest south of Italy, there is an area called Salento where tamborines play a very ancient rhythm named Pizzica. This is the music that, until 1960’s, was used to heal Taranta’s (a venomous spider) bite. Still today, the population plays and dances Pizzica during the village festival. This music has charmed and communicated to all the people who, passing through this country, have heard it – also musicians, like Joe Zawinul and Stewart Copeland (The Police’s legendary drummer), descended on Salento attending to “La Notte della Taranta” Festival.

In fact, the meeting with Pizzica has ever left indifferent, because the persistent crescendo of tambourines’ beats goes straight to heart. Hearing and dancing Pizzica one could disclose unknown aspects of the self and summon all extraordinary natural energy. A millenary deposited energy, that is “reopened” during the performance.

Officina Zoè is probably the most known musical group of Pizzica. They have recorded two album: “Terra” and “Sangue vivo”. And they have been present at several international festivals: Druga Godba (Lubiana), Respect Festival (Prague), London Film Festival, Stimmen Voices (Lorrach), Cantigas do Majo (Lisbon).The bans is also selected for an showcase at the Womex 2000 in Berlin.

Recently the group composed the sound track of Edoardo Winspeare’s film, entitled “Il Miracolo”, showed at the Venice’ Film Festival.