Stefano Maltese, known for his contribution to the Italian jazz scene has also played and recorded with musicians such as Marilyn Crispell, Evan Parker and Keith Tippet, among others. His main ensemble is called the "As Sikilli" (Sicilians in Arabic). This collective fully embodies his specific musical vision which is deeply rooted in the contemporary jazz idiom, and acts as a bridge between the ancient Mediterranean sounds and Afro-American jazz sensuality and "edge". Echoes of early AACM's colorful sound rise up from a dense and narrative sound architecture allowing the music to naturally flow, with interactive dialogues and creative group constructions encouraged by Maltese's deep-rooted collective sensitivity to music-making which excludes jazz egos and instrumental "boasting".