Biography
I will tell you my story in a way that is different from a professional biography. Most of the references can be appreciated, or at least understood, by an audience based in Italy.
When I was 19, I moved to Rome to follow my dreams.
I was lucky to enter the “Saint Louis Big Band” conducted by Bruno Biriaco very early. Orchestral playing has been the training that has built the basis of my professionalism.
It was an environment rich in enthusiasm and freshness. I am still very close to many of the boys of that time in our careers
Soon, I ran into the magic of the recording studio. At that time, we recorded on multichannel tape recorders. Sampling did not exist, nor did copy and paste.
Being in a recording studio as a 'session man' has always given me the most stimulus. As you go in, you do not know what you will be asked to play. Often, it will be a new stylistic challenge that enriches you.
While recording, I am always happy. I enjoy sitting there wearing headphones, better if with soft lights, entering the control room to listen, and being quick to understand if there is something to redo. I love it, not to mention when you are playing for a movie score. You want to know the scene, the dialogs, the characters, the costumes.
Versatility, an intriguing word!
So, with time, my contacts enlarged.
I began collaborating with some artists from the pop music scene in Italy, both in the studio and live.
In 1988, I was hired for Riccardo Cocciante's tour 'La grande Avventura', 'a whole year of concert and a Live Record.
It was a beautiful experience that also brought us for a month in Venezuela.
In 1899, the Summer tour ‘Il giro del mio mondo’ with Ornella Vanoni.
Also, here, an unforgettable month in Brazil.
In 1990, the tour ‘Aldilà del muro’ with Luca Barbarossa.
1990 was also the year when my son Mattia was born..
In 1991, and again in 2000, something unbelievable happened: the Italian dates of Natalie Cole's 'Unforgettable Tour'.
From 1994 to 1997, I was on tour with Marina Rei. Wonderful years: a band of formidable musicians who played a kind of music rarely appreciated in Italy in the form of song. Each concert was an energy boost both for us on stage and the audience; I am delighted to have played the sax solo on her hit 'Primavera.'
Tours often alternated with contracts with TV shows (RAI and Fininvest).
Working with Maestros like Ferrio, Canfora, Caruso, Savina, Serio, and others has been great luck.
Moreover, I had the opportunity to participate in various editions of the Sanremo Festival. In this context, I had the opportunity to share the stage with authentic legends like Ray Charles, Mirelle Mathieu, Leo Ferrè, Michael Boublè, and Domenico Modugno. Of course, they did not even know my name!
In the following years, there was less pop music and less television.
Anyway, I had the opportunity to collaborate with Renato Zero, Giovanotti, Chiara Civiello, Sergio Cammeriere, Antonello Venditti, and others
In parallel, I have never neglected my passion for Jazz and creative music. I have played in many festivals in Italy and abroad with many different ensembles. Among all, I would like to mention with affection Javier Girotto's 'Six Sax.'
I want to mention some of the figures with whom I have been lucky to share the scene: Carl Anderson, Lester Bowie, Randy Brecker, George Garzone, Horacio Hernandez, Jimmy Knepper, Yusef Lateef, Ray Mantilla, Bob Mintzer, Alfredo Rodriguez, Gunther Schuller; Dick Oats, Jack Walrath.
In 2000, moved by the inner urge to combine such different experiences, I gave birth to my own project, 'Media Res.'
Up today, three albums, a fourth coming soon, and the possibility of dedicating to what has become an overflowing passion: composition.
With a bit to play and a bit to get involved, I participated in some composition contests.
'The International Composing and Arranging Competition Contest for Jazz Orchestra‘Scrivere in Jazz XI ed. 2010 ’ First Prize for the composition ‘Flying over the Gocius of Santu Micheli’
'Artez International Composition Contest 2011’ Enschede (NL) -
Nomination for the composition 'Kirshrot'
‘National Academy of Music - State of Colorado’ - International Musica Prize for Excellence in composition 2011’ - Special mention for the composition 'Aged Lands' for Brass Quintet.
