Secondo Casadei, the greatest interpreter of Romagna folk music and the leading exponent of the “liscio” phenomenon, was born in Sant’Angelo di Gatteo (Forlì) on April 1, 1906. Family tradition destined him to become a tailor, but music proved an irresistible attraction. After a few years of classical studies, he abandoned his violin lessons and devoted himself to his great passion: folk dance music. He had his successful début in an orchestra at the tender age of sixteen, but his greatest aspiration was to have a band of his own. His dream came true in 1928, when the Orchestra Casadei débuted in Gatteo Mare, at the Lido Rubicone. It was a sextet, an entirely novel ensemble for a Romagna folk orchestra. In fact, beside a C clarinet, two violins, a double bass and a guitar, it featured the singer and two new instruments that had their roots in jazz: a saxophone and a drum kit. In the early 1930’s, Secondo Casadei started the trend of songs in the Romagna dialect, enabling the people of the region to give voice to their emotions in the language of their homeland. The trend would produce some famous tunes: “Burdèla Avèra”, “Un bès in biciclèta”, “Balé burdèli” and many more. He was writing constantly, filling line upon line of scores with every little idea. His imagination was inexhaustible and his public adored him, showering him with affection and sympathy whenever the opportunity arose. An innovator and pioneer, always open and looking to the future, Secondo Casadei paid attention to every detail and novelty with his characteristic professionalism, talent and passion. He did not lose heart when American music flooded the dance halls in the postwar period, and he remained the only band leader to faithfully, stubbornly defend the Romagna musical genre in the face of a myriad of difficulties.
The arrival of his nephew Raoul at the end of the 1950’s was a breath of fresh air that breathed new life into the orchestra. Together, they penned highly popular tunes: they formed an extraordinary combination, winning both success and fondness. Thus was born the Orchestra Spettacolo Secondo & Raoul Casadei which performed every day of the year (i.e., 365 concerts, sometimes two a day!), except November 2, the first day of Lent and the eve of Easter. In 1966, Secondo Casadei was honoured as a Knight of the Italian Republic and the press took a great interest in him, but the person who would make him popular across the nation was Vittorio Salvetti, who invited him to participate with extraordinary success in the Festivalbar.
His 1048 recordings provide the soundtrack for every significant event in the lives and everything else of everyone who followed him. “Romagna mia ” (1954), now danced to and recognised around the world, thanks both to Radio Capodistria (extremely popular at the time) and the advent of the jukebox, brought Secondo Casadei to international fame.
On every occasion, he managed to imbue his orchestra players (always accomplished professionals who would in turn establish orchestras of their own) with the enthusiasm, determination and love of a musical genre that, he declared, would never fade away while there was still a single person who wanted to dance.
He passed away on November 19, 1971, to the disbelief and pain of his followers, and his baton passed by popular acclaim to his nephew Raoul Casadei, and then, in 2000, to his son Mirko.
The “Strauss of Romagna“, as the writer Leandro Castellani called him, was a musician who touched the hearts of the people. Together with his orchestra, he helped generations of Romagnans and Italians have fun, meet, become engaged and get married. He shone a spotlight on his homeland by making it known worldwide thanks to the music that he represented, and he continues to represent a powerful expression of identity in Romagna: just as Federico Fellini represents the vivacious yet also melancholic soul of the Romagnolo, Secondo Casadei, thanks to his tunes, passes on its character, identity, passion and values. The sanguine land of Romagna, “a sunny sweet country where Guidi and Malatesta reigned, and where the Passator Cortese held sway”, has become popular also thanks to “Romagna mia”, the maestro’s famous “anthem”, as well as his more than a thousand compositions.
2006, the centenary of his birth, saw the release of “L’uomo che sconfisse il boogie (The Man Who Beat Boogie)”, a documentary on his life by director Davide Cocchi, who collected testimonies from those who knew him, together with precious unpublished period footage. The film would go on to win best Folk Pop Jazz Documentary at the Roma Film Music Festival at the Palazzo Venezia.
In Sant’Angelo di Gatteo, close to his birth place, a roundabout close to the “Valle del Rubicone” motorway toll booth is named after him, an artistic and scenic tribute with the silhouette of his orchestra and the lyrics of his beloved “Romagna mia”.
His works continue to be promoted by Riccarda Casadei, his daughter, with the help of her family, carrying on the artistic legacy of her father and continuing to do so with great love and passion.
