Saverio Principini

{{short description|American songwriter}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}} {{Infobox person |name = Saverio "Sage" Principini |image = Saverio-by Locke Dunn.jpg |caption = Saverio Principini |birth_place = |death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> |death_place = |other_names = |known_for = |occupation = Record producer, songwriter |website = [http://www.saverioprincipini.com/new/ www.saverioprincipini.com] }}

'''Saverio Principini''' (also known as "Sage") is a certified multi-platinum music producer and songwriter active in the Los Angeles music scene since 1987.<ref name="Artist Direct">{{cite web|url=http://www.artistdirect.com/artist/saverio-principini/2614477 |title= Artist Direct |access-date= 23 August 2011}}</ref>

==Early life and career== Sage began his musical career in [[Italy]] as a bassist for cult heavy metal band, Astaroth.<ref name="Astaroth">{{cite web |url=http://www.myspace.com/astarothitaly |title=Myspace |access-date=23 August 2011}}</ref> At age 16, he recorded his first record, ''The Long Loud Silence'',<ref name="Metallized">{{cite web |url=http://www.metallized.it/articolo.php?id=223 |title=Metallized |access-date=23 August 2011}}</ref> for Dutch label, Rave-On Records,<ref name="Rave on Records">{{cite web |url=http://www.rave-on-records.com/ |title=Rave-On Records |access-date=23 August 2011}}</ref> and toured<ref name="Metalkeir">{{cite web |url=https://metalkeir.blogspot.com/2008/02/metal-clogs-1982-rave-on-records.html |title=Metalkeir |access-date=23 August 2011}}</ref> extensively throughout Europe with the band.<ref name="Ganzo Mag">{{cite web|url=http://www.ganzomag.com/604.html |title=Ganzo Mag |access-date=23 August 2011}}</ref>

In 1991, Sage began collaborating with Italian singer-songwriter, [[Vasco Rossi]], casting session musicians for ongoing recording sessions. Sage's castings and executive productions soon became widely acclaimed in the Italian music scene, as they featured world-renowned musicians such as [[Vinnie Colaiuta]], [[Michael Landau]], [[Randy Jackson]], [[Greg Bissonette]], [[Neil Stubenhaus]], [[Michael Thompson (guitarist)|Michael Thompson]], and many more. Also spotlighted in Sage's productions were musical legends, [[Slash (musician)|Slash]], and [[Steve Vai]]. Throughout the '90s, Sage remained extremely active musically, producing sessions at A&M Studios, [[Record Plant]] Studios, and [[Capitol Studios]] by day, and performing with his band, WORD, by night.

WORD's crossover [[funk rock]] style piqued the interest of music supervisor, [[David Ari Leon]], who consequently implemented WORD's music in the TV series of 1994, [[Valley of the Dolls (TV series)|''Valley of the Dolls'']]. WORD eventually landed a deal with [[Virgin Records]] Italy, and a tour with singer, [[Alberto Fortis (musician)|Alberto Fortis]], soon followed. WORD and Fortis collaborated on one studio album, [[:it:Dentro il giardino|''Dentro Il Giardino'']], which culminated in a televised concert performed live on [[MTV]].

During the late 1990s, Sage founded Sage Studio in Sherman Oaks, CA, where he composed a fresh catalog of original music, as well as music for [[Freeform (TV channel)|Fox Family]]. Amid this time, he also produced sessions for a diverse range of artists including [[Adriano Celentano]], [[Diego Torres (singer)|Diego Torres]], [[Divididos]], and [[Myriam Hernández]], and co-wrote with the entirety of [[Desmond Child]]'s publishing company, Deston Songs. Especially significant from this period is the co-production Sage lent to [[Laura Pausini]]'s Grammy-winning album, Yo Canto.

Shortly thereafter, Sage opened Speakeasy Studios in the [[Hollywood Hills]], where both American and international artists such as Ricky Martin, [[Janelle Monae]], [[Kevin Bacon]], Elisa, Negrita, [[Doyle Bramhall II]], [[Amaia Montero]], [[Tiromancino]], [[The Lonely Island]], [[Club Dogo]] and [[Vasco Rossi]], among many others, have written and recorded.

Since 2022 Sage left the Speakeasy Studios to open a new recording studio in Atwater Village as part of the audio visual award winning company [https://www.echobend.com Echobend Pictures] where he continues to compose and write songs.

== Musical Stylings == Sage's songwriting encompasses mainly rock, pop, [[Soul music|soul]], and [[World music|world]] musicality. He has also collaborated with Canadian artist, [[Gino Vannelli]], co-writing the song "''Canto''" on a [[Crossover (music)|crossover]] opera album for [[Bertelsmann Music Group|BMG]].

Operating since 1991, Sage Studio INC has also functioned as an executive production firm connecting many European and South American musicians – namely, [[Eros Ramazzotti]], [[Diego Torres (singer)|Diego Torres]], [[Myriam Hernández]], [[Adriano Celentano]], [[Divididos]], [[Tiziano Ferro]], and [[Jovanotti]].

== Television and film == Sage composes frequently for both television and film. In 2009, he co-wrote the title track for [[Sony]]'s [[The Lodger (2009 film)|''The Lodger'']]<ref name="The Lodger">{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0851530/soundtrack |title=The Lodger |website=[[IMDb]] |access-date=23 August 2011}}</ref> (starring [[Alfred Molina]]) with composer [[John Frizzel]], featuring vocals by classical singer, [[Sasha Lazard]]. Sage's music was likewise featured in [[NBC]]'s ''Surrender Dorothy''<ref name="Surrender Dorothy">{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0430650/ |title=Surrender Dorothy |website=[[IMDb]] |access-date=23 August 2011}}</ref> ([[Diane Keaton]]), and [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]]'s [[Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme|''Dr. Strange'']]. Sage also provided music for ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'', ''[[The Dr. Oz Show]]'', and subsequently produced music for the [[The CW Television Network|CW]] network show [[The Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll|''The Search for the Next Doll'']] for the band [[The Pussycat Dolls]].<ref name="Pussycat Dolls">{{cite web |url=https://tv.yahoo.com/show/39848/castcrew |title=Pussycat Dolls |access-date=23 August 2011}}</ref> In 2011, Sage composed additional music for the documentary film, ''Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest''. Beyond the United States, Sage's music can be heard in Italy's most-watched TV series, ''[[I Cesaroni]]'', as well as in other shows such as ''[[Un medico in famiglia]]'', and the 1994 series, ''[[Valley of the Dolls (TV series)|''Valley of the Dolls'']]''.<ref name=IMDB>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3473783/ |title=IMDB |website=[[IMDb]] |access-date=23 August 2011}}</ref>

The song [[:it:I soliti|''"I soliti"'']], co-written with [[Vasco Rossi]], was featured in the closing scene and credits of the film, [[:it:Questa storia qua|''Questa storia qua'']], which was presented as a special selection at the 2010 [[Venice International Film Festival]]. [[List of number-one hits of 2011 (Italy)|''"I soliti"'']] was also number one for two consecutive weeks on [[Federation of the Italian Music Industry|F.I.M.I.]]'s singles charts. Sage also scored music for the documentary films ''Una su tre'' and ''Get Together Girls''. His co-wrote [[:it:Gli sbagli che fai|Gli Sbagli Che Fai]] for singer Vasco Rossi which in 2024 was featured as the theme music for the Netflix show [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28081900/ Il Supervissuto].

== Musical Partnerships == Sage has produced prominent duets featuring [[Cristina Scabbia]] of [[Lacuna Coil]] alongside Italian music icon [[Franco Battiato]], and also [[Leona Lewis]] with [[Biagio Antonacci]]. Both duets debuted at the top of the charts in Italy. Sage wrote and produced music with crossover Opera soprano [[Filippa Giordano]]<ref name="Filippa Giordano">{{cite web| url=http://www.dfinitivo.com/archivos/2009/01/07/el-%E2%80%9Ccapriccio%E2%80%9D-de-filippa-giordano/|title=Filippa Giordano}}</ref> for Sony Mexico as well.

Along with engineer Michael Tacci, Sage produced [[The Tigers (California band)|The Tigers]], an LA indie band appearing on Thrive Records' compilation ''His Hers'' by Amanda Scheer,<ref name="His and Hers">{{cite web |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/his-and-hers-by-amanda-scheer-demme-r844061 |title=His and Hers |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=23 August 2011}}</ref> which spotlighted such talents as [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]], [[Daft Punk]], and [[Ryan Adams]].

Sage has also worked with many international producers including [[Humberto Gatica]], [[Patrick Leonard]], Geoff Westley, [[Joe Vannelli]], [[Celso Valli]], [[Lee Curreri]], and more recently, [[Joe Chiccarelli]], and Claudio Guidetti. Sage has also conducted international musical collaborations with [[John Shanks]], [[Wyclef Jean]], and [[Sergio Mendez]].

Sage in his career also focused on the discovery, development and production of many indie artists including Amana Melomé, Jameson Burt, Chris Wood, Neila Dar and many others.

== Recent years == In 2011, Sage had entered a worldwide publishing deal with [[EMI]] Music. Sage has also acted as the musical director of Hit Week, a two-week live event in New York City and Los Angeles that showcased notable Italian musicians in the United States.<ref name="Music Reporters">{{cite web| url=http://musicreporters.rockol.it/blog/tag/mtv/ |title=Music Reporters |access-date=23 August 2011}}</ref>

In recent years, five of Sage's and [[Vasco Rossi|Rossi]]'s songs, [[List of number-one hits of 2011 (Italy)|''"I soliti,"'']] [[List of number-one hits of 2008 (Italy)|''"Sto pensado a te,"'']] [[:it:Manifesto futurista della nuova umanità|''"Manifesto futurista della nuova umanitá"'']], "Cambia-menti" and "[[:it:Come nelle favole|Come Nelle Favole]] " went No. 1 in Italy, all achieving multi-platinum status. Further, a selection of songs that Sage co-wrote with [[Vasco Rossi|Rossi]] are all-time Top 10 in sales for Rossi on [[iTunes]] and he has a total of 14 published songs with Vasco Rossi including XI Comandamento, Gli Sbagli Che Fai, Patto Con Riscatto, Una Canzone D'Amore Buttata Via, L'Amore Ai Tempi Del Cellulare, Prendiamo Il Volo, Un Respiro In Piu, Marta Piange Ancora and Lo Vedi.

Sage also owned Savana Records in Los Angeles, an indie label originally distributed by [[Whole Foods Market|Whole Foods]] that focused on the promotion of less exposed music. Several recordings are currently active under Savana, including neo-soul / [[reggae]] singer, [[Amana Melome]],<ref name="Amana Melome Bella Farfalla">{{cite web|url=https://oofilippo.blogspot.com/2007/03/bella-farfalla-beautiful-butterfly.html |title=Amana Bella Farfalla |access-date=23 August 2011 }}</ref> guitarist Fabio Mittino (with the recordings of music of G.I.Gurdjieff-T. DeHartmann) and an eclectic project called SOUP together with drummer [[Vinnie Colaiuta]] and guitarist Marcello Cosenza and guests John Beasley, Chad Fischer, [[Simone Sello]] and Alex Alessandroni, Jr.<ref name="Vasco Brothers">{{cite web |url=http://fratellidivasco.wordpress.com/2011/03/28/vivere-o-niente-i-crediti-del-disco/ |title=Vasco Brothers |access-date=23 August 2011}}</ref>

In 2012, Sage reunited his original band, Astaroth, and produced a full-length album entitled ''The End of Silence''. Sage also collaborated at Speakeasy Studios with [[The Lonely Island]], a project by [[Saturday Night Live]] comics [[Andy Samberg]], [[Akiva Schaffer]], and [[Jorma Taccone]] co-writing/producing Dramatic Intro which is the opening song of their CD The Wack Album.

In 2007, Sage launched with UK DJ Bill Davies Rootdown Radio,<ref name="Rootdown Radio">{{cite web |url=http://www.rootdownfm.com/ |title=Rootdown Radio |access-date=23 August 2011}}</ref> a commercial-free, internet radio station which reached tremendous success in the groove underground music world but was eventually closed in 2015 due to excessive maintenance costs and luck of revenue. He also co-founded the web-based production company sessionrecording.com, which offered international collaboration to independent productions with budget restrictions.

In 2014, Sage arranged and played on Dannate Nuvole, yet another hit song for singer Vasco Rossi. He also mixed [[Juan Darthés|Juan Darthes]]' album "Ahora" for Warner Music Argentina. In the same year he also produced the debut album for the winner of The Voice (Italian Version of the talent show) "[[Cristina Scuccia|Sister Cristina]]" and songs for the album "Sono Innocente" of "Vasco Rossi" which reached number one in the Italian Charts and 7 times platinum status.

In 2015, Sage was the executive producer on Eros Ramazzotti's 13th Studio Album called "[[Perfetto]]". He also recorded the drum tracks and played bass on [[A + No Poder|"Alejandra Guzman" A + No Poder]].

In 2016, Vasco Rossi released a compilation called "[[:it:VascoNonStop|Vasco Non Stop]]" that included several songs he had co-written with Sage, including four new songs two of which Sage co-wrote and one he produced and mixed at their LA facility Speakeasy Studios.

Sage in 2017 entered a worldwide publishing contract with Star SRL in Italy /Downtown Music Group in the US.

After the 2020 pandemic and a year sabbatical Sage returned to composing and songwriting, focusing primarily in Film and TV work.<ref name="IMDB" />

Sage is a voting member of the [[National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences|National Academy of Recording Arts and Science]] (NARAS) and the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (LARAS). He currently resides in Los Angeles, California.

== References == {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Principini, Saverio}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]] [[Category:Italian emigrants to the United States]] [[Category:American record producers]] [[Category:American male songwriters]]