Francesco & Friends

by Cory Robertson
Dec. 12, 2007

"Whistle while you work" may be what the seven dwarves did, but world-champion whistler Francesco Bonifazi has a different message. He sees whistling -- or "puccalo," a professional term derived from the words "piccolo" and "pucker" -- as an art form in and of itself. To him, and to many others who are part of what he calls a "worldwide movement," whistling is plenty of work on its own. This Sunday, Bonifazi and the Old Town School of Folk Music bring you the basic tools to become a whistling whiz yourself -- or just to press your lips together and blow.

"The first thing is we'll get that first note," says Bonifazi, as he begins to describe the learning process that takes place in his whistling workshop. This is not the first such workshop he's led, and he knows just how whistling should take form in a beginner.

Each student begins with a single note, an unpredictable tone dependent upon personal characteristics. "It's based on the physics of their mouth," says Bonifazi. "It's a chamber of sound that is going to vibrate depending on their shape and how hard they push with their lungs."

Once a given student has established that initial pure tone, he or she will soon be ready to navigate simple tunes like "Eensy Weensy Spider" or "If I Had a Hammer."

Bonifazi will play records by whistling greats in hopes of inspiring students, perhaps striking a chord with some of them the way old-school whistling star Ronald McCroby's performance on The Tonight Show once hit a nerve of inspiration within Bonifazi himself. But Bonifazi will expose students to more than just whistlers -- he'll also encourage them to imitate other instruments, like the tuba or the electric guitar. "Itzhak Perlman listens to other instruments -- he doesn't just listen to violin players," says Bonifazi, indicating just the level of veneration he places on his chosen art form.

Bonifazi does, in fact, view the puccalo as equal to any other instrument. After all, he is a jazz flutist and saxophone player as well as a whistler, and usually accompanies his whistling on guitar or collaborates with renowned pianist Mark Sloniker. Bonifazi even goes so far as to compose his own music for the puccalo, sometimes using electronic effects like octave generators or looping to achieve an often ethereal quality. His album, Air Play, encompasses a multitude of styles and reveals a breadth of possibility many may not have imagined possible for a hobby often relegated to the realm of skipping stones or turning cartwheels.

Once students have begun to master the basic musical elements of whistling, like tone, pitch control, vibrato and intonation, Bonifazi hopes they might be ready for a little harmonizing. Just as a choir of vocalists perform complementary parts according to vocal range, so can whistlers be classified by traditional roles such as soprano or alto. In fact, just one such choir, hailing from Vassar College, performed at this year's International Whistling Convention, where Bonifazi won first place in the popular music category in 2003.

Whether you dream of international fame or simply hope to remedy the toneless puff of air issuing forth from your puckered lips, Bonifazi is prepared to provide you with the needed instruction. You'll walk away from his workshop armed with instructional materials and, likely, a whistling mentor. Sunday's workshop will feature a healthy dose of philosophizing on the subject of whistling, and among the participants will be a master's student writing her thesis on the history of whistling -- proof that there is much more to whistling than you may have ever imagined.

The Whistling Workshop takes place Sunday, Dec. 16 at Old Town School of Folk Music (4544 N. Lincoln, 773/728-6000) from 3 to 4:50 p.m. Cost is $30; register at oldtownschool.org, by phone or in person. Bring a recording device, water and chapstick.
- UR Chicago Magazine

Dec. 4, 2005
Bret Saunders - Music Critic

Excerpts...

Francesco Bonifazi is serious about raising the profile of his instrument in the jazz community.

Sure, he's a jazz whistler, (and vocalist) but he's also a tasty guitar player.

Bonifazi has released his "Air Play" CD with whistling-based covers of Charlie Parker and Thelonious Monk tunes. He makes it all seem effortless, and it's apparent that it's more than just a novelty to him. He's expressing himself as an artist in his chosen way.

- Denver Post

May 11, 2006
Tim Van Schmidt - Music Correspondent

Excerpts...

I made it to Manno's Grille for the regular Wednesday night jazz jam headed up by Francesco Bonifazi, also known as "The Jazz Whistler."

Bonifazi is indeed a unique musician, whose most startling talent is turning himself into an instrument (the "puccalo"). and whistling clear, sweet melodies.

Bonifazi, a world-class whistling award-winner, is also busy playing and recording with other jazz musicians thoughout the country. - Forum Magazine

Dec. 2006
Chris Kampfe - Music Critic

Excerpts...

Francesco Bonifazi's niche in the music industry is a skill that comes naturally to most people. Despite this, his musical talents extend far beyond just whistling in the shower.

Bonifazi is a jazz whistler, literally. Accompanied usually only by his own guitar, Bonifazi takes whistling from just a step above humming and foot tapping, shaping it into melodic jazz and beyond. The levels beyond have taken Bonifazi to jazz festivals and competitions. Bonifazi has performed all over the U.S. as well as Denmark and Italy, where he was a finalist and only whistler in a major international competition.

"It was funny, I was asked by a number of people (in Italy), 'does everyone in America whistle like this?'" Bonifazi said.

Bonifazi's accomplishments as a whistler have earned him more than just recognition in Italy. In 2003 he was the winner of Popular Music at the International Whistling Championship, and has made appearances on the SKY TV network and CBS.

Bonifazi doesn't feel that his unique talent should be the centerpiece of his performances, but rather the music and artistry with which he performs.

"At my performances, mostly people are there because they love jazz. I really ask my audiences to close their eyes, and forget about the whistling and focus on the music," Bonifazi said. "Then the movelty goes away, so people don't say, 'that's really good for a whistler.'"

Whistling is definitely more than a novelty for Bonifazi and his audiences, and he is turning heads at every performance.

"I would say to be accepted by other top jazz musicians as an equal isn't something you earn from a press release or a CD. Playing live is what jazz is all about," Bonifazi said. "To step on stage with a musician and have them say 'where have you been man?' is really satisfying. I'm on par with other musicians, and I do it one musician and one audience at a time." - Scence Magazine