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La Befana,” the name of Skafish’s record company, was named after the witch who ancient legend says bears gifts to children on January 6th, the Day of the Magi, also known as the Feast of the Epiphany. In fact, Befana’s name comes from the Greek word ”epifania“ or ”epiphany.“ It is a belief upheld until this day in Italy, and La Befana is embraced in the hearts and minds of Italian children and their families even more than Santa Claus.

In honor of his half Italian ancestry, Jim Skafish gave his new record label the La Befana name ”to deliver the gift of the most entertaining and leading-edge Christmas musical arrangements for the listening delight of our audience.“ Skafish also draws a parallel between the image of La Befana and his own, given the character’s prodigious nose and large feet, but goodhearted and benevolent nature.

Skafish came to the world of Rock in Chicago a generation ago, heralded as “The Prince of Avant Garde,” as the originator and pioneer of new sounds coming out of a tumultuous childhood and a deep yearning to transform rage and pain into something transcendent – the sounds of punk, of new wave, alternative and indie rock music. In February 1976, he appeared in the public limelight as a burst of genius punctuating the musical scene; and he was the first Chicago artist of these genres to perform at CBGB’s in New York in April 1977; The Whiskey A Go Go in Los Angeles in February 1978; and to appear in London before an audience of 45,000 with The Police, UB-40 and Squeeze in July 1980. He also toured and/or performed with the likes of: Ramones, Iggy Pop, The Police, U-2, The Stranglers, Squeeze, Ultravox, Scorpions, UB-40, The Cramps, The Mumps, XTC, The Lemonheads and Dead Boys.

All who experienced Skafish agree that this pioneering innovator’s sound was unlike anything they had previously heard. Billy Cox of PolyGram Records told Skafish, ”I believe you started alternative music worldwide.“ Both the performer and his music were like a bolt of lightning that suddenly materialized as if from another dimension. A phenomenon had arrived and it bore a name: Skafish!

Skafish had been regarded as a child prodigy and musical genius by his blind piano teacher at age six, and his earliest compositions were instrumental jazz. In high school, he formed the Jim Skafish Group, a jazz trio, while also studying with international jazz legend Willie Pickens at Chicago’s American Conservatory.

Musical greats had commented on Skafish’s talent, especially as his improvisational skills on the piano grew exponentially over the years – from people like jazz legend Stan Kenton, who called him ”a genius“ after hearing one of his original rock song demo tapes; to blues master Willie Dixon who referred to Skafish as ”the best musician I know;“ to the peerless Muddy Waters who was quoted in a 1981 UPI news story as saying, ”When Jim Skafish walks into the room, I could swear it was Mick Jagger.”

Skafish was a pioneer decades ahead of his time. In 1983, he turned to his virtuoso as a pianist, teaching privately and performing gigs anywhere and everywhere. This included playing private Christmas parties as a solo pianist. Improvisation had come second nature to him since childhood, and improvising on-the-spot jazz arrangements of Christmas carols evoked an overwhelming response among all who heard and witnessed this feat.

Now, a generation later, Skafish, otherwise known as Jim Skafish, comes home to Jazz, bringing the beauty and power of the spirit to traditional Christmas melodies, transforming them into altered harmonies, unique rhythmical structures and stylized improvisations. La Befana Records’ first release, Tidings of Comfort and Joy: A Jazz Piano Trio Christmas, showcases Skafish’s jazz arrangement and performance skills. On the 68 minute album, Skafish begins each track with an original musical introduction, followed by a recognizable melody with stepped-up altered harmonies, ending with a completely unique and improvised inventive rendition. Each piece is transformed into a new and singular original jazz composition.

According to Skafish, “I’ve tried to create music that assists in bridging the gap of alienation and emotional separateness, promoting the universal essence of compassion, love, kindness, and generosity that is ultimately the true spirit of Christmas!”

Visit the website at www.labefanarecords.com