OltreMare is an original trio featuring Italian double bassist and composer Massimiliano Rolff, French guitarist Samuel Bonnet, and saxophonist Frank Lozano. The name Oltremare (“Overseas”) reflects the geography of the project: Europe and Canada are separated by the sea, yet connected through music. Rolff lives and works on the Mediterranean coast of Italy, while Bonnet and Lozano are based in Montréal. Bonnet is French and Lozano the son of Spanish parents, adding different European roots to the trio’s transatlantic identity.

The repertoire consists entirely of original compositions, written for the particular combination of saxophone, guitar and double bass. Without drums, the three instruments interact as equal voices, exploring melody, silence, texture and improvisation with great freedom and sensitivity creating chamber-like soundscapes of strong emotional impact, moving from intimate and lyrical moments to more spacious and adventurous territories. The compositions provide a framework for a musical dialogue in which listening and spontaneity play a central role.

Now established as a permanent ensemble, OLTREMARE will record its first album in 2027, documenting the original repertoire and the musical identity developed through this collaboration.

Three musicians, two shores, one shared musical space.