ABOUT
Professional jazz upright-bass player, arranger & composer
I am a dedicated upright-bass player and composer driven by a sensitivity for creating and sharing musical experiences. My journey through music began with classical guitar in childhood, but at age 12, I discovered my true calling with the electric bass. This pivotal moment opened the door to my deep exploration of jazz, rock, fusion, funk, reggae, and rhythm & blues — genres that continue to shape my artistic voice today.
CURRENT PROJECTS AND TEACHING
As a bandleader, I direct a modern jazz quartet and am actively engaged in pioneering research on Implied Harmony in jazz performances — exploring the subtle harmonic relationships that exist beyond traditional chord structures. My debut album as a leader, End of May, released by Workin' Label, represents the culmination of this artistic vision, exploring the fascinating affinities between jazz avant-garde and classical tradition.
My commitment to musical education runs as deep as my passion for performance. As an educator, I teach electric bass, double bass, ear training, applied theory, harmony, and counterpoint, sharing the knowledge I've gained from world-class institutions with the next generation of musicians.
At the heart of my artistic mission lies a fundamental belief: music communicates emotions that words cannot express. I am dedicated to building strong connections between sound and color, creating synesthetic experiences that transcend traditional listening.
I am available for collaborations, performances, and educational projects across Europe and the United States, always eager to explore new musical territories with fellow artists and students.
In 2005, I had the privilege of studying at "Il Pentagramma" in Bari, recognized by JAZZIT magazine as one of Italy's most prestigious music institutions. This foundational experience launched me into an extensive educational journey across Europe and the United States.
Inspired by jazz legends like Charlie Haden, Scott LaFaro, Percy Heath, Paul Chambers and Ray Brown, I took up double-bass lessons, which deeply influenced my musical direction. My education continued under the mentorship of renowned teachers such as Guido Di Leone and Davide Santorsola.
My formal training includes studies at the E.R. Duni Conservatory in Matera, the HKU Jazz&Pop Conservatorium in Utrecht, and the SJU Siena Jazz University Master Program. Under the guidance of exceptional educators including Pierluigi Balducci, Giuseppe Lillo, Tobias Nijboer, Joel Groenenwold, Theo De Jong, Damien Cabaud, Joe Sanders, Jeff Ballard, Ralph Alessi, Seamus Blake and Logan Richardson, I developed both technical mastery and artistic vision in multiple directions.
My pursuit of musical excellence has also taken me to some of the world's most celebrated institutions. As a visiting student, I've had the honor of studying at Berklee College of Music in Boston and The Juilliard School in Manhattan. Additionally, I've enriched my knowledge through masterclasses and intensive courses with jazz luminaries including Barry Harris, Gilad Hekselman, John Clayton, Rodney Jones, Ben Wolfe, Jerry Bergonzi, Jim Rotondi, Dena DeRose, and Hans Mantel.
This diverse educational foundation, spanning multiple countries and musical traditions, now informs every aspect of my artistry. I channel these years of intensive study and cross-cultural musical exploration into compositions that bridge traditional jazz techniques with contemporary innovation, always seeking to connect with audiences through the universal language of sound.
The composition's foundation lies in sophisticated counterpoint and the intricate layering of multiple melodic lines, creating a continuous dialogue of musical imitation. This approach pays homage to the poetic sensibilities of early twentieth-century classical masters such as Erik Satie and Maurice Ravel, whose influence can be heard in the piece's elegant structural framework. Within this carefully crafted compositional architecture, creativity and improvisation flourish freely, allowing both the string and jazz quartets to explore expressive territories while maintaining the work's cohesive artistic vision. "Ruhe" exemplifies the seamless integration of classical tradition with contemporary jazz innovation that defines my musical approach.