Castelfidardo is the second album by Jonny Kerry, released in 2021. It is a vibrant, sophisticated exploration of European and Latin musical traditions centered around the versatility of the accordion. The album's title is a direct homage to the small Italian town of Castelfidardo, which is considered the global center for accordion manufacturing and where Kerry himself bought his favored jazz accordion. The release also marked the 200th anniversary of the accordion's invention. Kerry's ensemble, which includes two guitars and double bass, delivers complex, sunnier-sounding arrangements of both standards and original compositions, with discreet percussion and strings featuring on certain tracks. Kerry also features as a vocalist, performing standards like "After You've Gone" and "Smile." Other notable tracks include a nimble cover of Chick Corea's "Armando's Rhumba," the original composition "Lockdown," and "Midnight in Venice." Castelfidardo is praised for showcasing the accordion's potential as a modern jazz instrument, fulfilling Kerry's mission to popularize the instrument and demonstrate its rich, warm tone in contemporary settings.
