"Zancle" (the ancient name of the Sicilian city Messina) is the first CD release by the Italian singer and songwriter Serena Ferrara's ensemble. Looking back to her Sicilian roots in the heart of the Mediterranean sea, the album explores the sounds and pulses from the South of the world. It echoes of Sicilian to Spanish and Middle-East influence, and heads to the heart of Africa. Serena's ensemble features her regular trio with Luca Dell'Anna at the piano and Ivo Barbieri on double bass. The album includes 7 original songs plus a version of"Alfonsina Y El Mar”, (the beautiful song by Ariel Ramirez and Felix Luna about the Argentinian Poet Alfonsina Storni), and Mario Laginha's"Cor De Rosa" with new Sicilian lyrics composed by Serena. Lyrics on the original songs are mostly written by Serena, and are sung in different languages, including Sicilian, Spanish, and African. They include faery tales based on ancient Sicilian Legends, such as"Cola Pisci", the hero whose legend says he is holding firmly under the sea the pillar that supports the city of Messina. All tracks on the album feature Israel Varela on drums- amazing Mexican drummer renowned for his collaborations with great artists such as Pat Metheny, Mike Stern, Charlie Haden, Diego Amador and many others. Other important guest artists on the album are Jorge Pardo on flute (Chick Corea and Paco De Lucia are among his major collaborators), Adam Rapa on trumpet (worldwide renowned for his outstanding mastery), Daniele Epifani on guitar and Charango, Marjia Drincic on cello, Marco Scipione on flute, the arranger Enzo Romano, the actor Sergio Paladino (renowned for his collaborations in movies such as"Baaria"), and Daniel Kollé (who wrote the douala lyrics for"Angamene"). In “Zancle” the varied influences of the musicians combine to create a vibrating, poetic and powerful world-jazz experience.