The 41st parallel is the geographic parallel that connects two music capitals: Napoli and New York. In a way, 41st Parallel Records is the sum and culmination of the musical path of the label's founders: musician Marco Cappelli and former music business executive Manlio Narici. Both born and raised in Napoli, Manlio and Marco met in New York City, where they established their permanent home. Their decades long involvement in the vibrant New York music scene - the results of different yet interwoven paths - finally coalesced in the crazy idea of creating a new record label, as an outlet for creative, multicultural music. Just as importantly, a label on the side of the artists, offering fair contracts and transparent accounting.
The name 41st Parallel Records symbolically embodies our intent to release music not only generated on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, but also inspired and enriched by the respective traditions and innovations. 41st Parallel Records' aesthetics is not defined by strict geographical or musical genres; rather, by the search for a language that incorporates a fluid balance of the here and now with the other and the elsewhere.
Our logo, realized by Andrea Mattone, is inspired by two extraordinarily iconic figures, New York’s Statue of Liberty and Napoli’s Pulcinella, both immediate symbols of either city. Lady Liberty, here alluded to just by her crown, needs no introduction, and has been a promise and a symbol of hope to millions of immigrants; ”give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”. Pulcinella, represented by his half mask, is a character from the Italian commedia dell'arte, an improvised theater tradition. He gives voice to the lower class and is armed with atavistic irreverence toward authority. With witty, resilient banter, he laughs at hardship and power alike.
41st Parallel Records was originally launched on the platform Bandcamp in 2022, as Marco Cappelli's vehicle to share his personal music archive. During Summer 2026, the label was incorporated and restructured as an LLC and will start releasing music in October 2026.
WE ARE
Marco Cappelli studied classical guitar with Oscar Ghiglia at Musik Akademie Der Stadt Basel (Switzerland). Since the mid 90’s, he has led an original artistic path, first becoming familiar with rigorous written music, then with free improvisation languages.
In 2004, Marco moved to New York, where he soon engaged with the rich artistic scene, performing in the main music venues around town, and teaching at Columbia University, Julliard School, Mannes College and Third St Music School.
The diversity of Marco's performances encompasses a fascinating array of collaborations (Avi Avital, Anthony Coleman, Michel Godard, Butch Morris, Franco Piersanti, Enrico Rava, Marc Ribot, Adam Rudolph, Raiz, Elliott Sharp, Giovanni lima, Markus Stockhausen, Cristina Zavalloni… and many more). Marco regular performs in classical concerts programs as well in jazz and avant-garde music festival, both as a soloist and in ensemble settings.
His rich discography has been published by established recording labels. Here we remember two CDs with Ensemble Dissonanzen dedicated to chamber music by G. Petrassi, L. Dallapiccola and H.W. Henze (Mode Records); three CDs with Marco Cappelli Acoustic Trio (Mode Records, Tzadik, Da Vinci); four CDs with Italian Surf Academy (Mode Records, 41st Parallel Records).
As composer/performer, he collaborates with internationally acclaimed dance companies such as Armitage Gone! Dance and Young Soon Kim White Wave Dance Company, both based in NYC; theater, collaborating with writer Maurizio De Giovanni, actor Andrea Renzi and director Alessia Siniscalchi; and films, working with such directors as Leonardo Di Costanzo and Salvo Cuccia. Another project of note is the live show and DVD, In The Shadow of No Towers, realized with comic writer Art Spiegelman and actor John Turturro.
In 2026, Marco founded with Manlio Narici the record label 41st Parallel Records.
Marco Cappelli currently lives between Palermo, Italy, where he teaches classical guitar at the Conservatory Alessandro Scarlatti, and New York, where he is involved with the contemporary and avant-garde music scene.
Manlio Narici was born many years ago in Naples, Italy, where he spent the first couple of decades listening to music, working at Tattoo Records, and being politically involved.
A few years in Berlin, Germany followed, where music, German movies and literature mixed with the Berlin Wall's fall, and its repercussions. Returning to Naples, Manlio worked at Flying Records, the largest independent label in Italy. He managed the retail store chain before becoming a buyer for the distribution arm.
But restlessness stirred him to move again and he arrived in New York on John Lennon's 10th death anniversary. Finally in his element, Manlio took in the music, the concerts, and the record stores among other things.
For several years, he was involved in the music business, first as CEO of Flying Records USA, then with the California based distributor World Music Distribution and later with Turning Point, a DJ booking agency.
Finally, a friendship with Marco Cappelli, many conversations, concerts and noble hopes led to the founding of 41st Parallel Records.