Bio

Brief introduction :

Pianist, composer, and arranger with over thirty years of experience spanning international stages and academic research. From the global success of Quintetto X and the FEZ movement to Neo-Soul explorations and the acoustic jazz of T-RIOT, his music bridges philosophical depth with infectious groove. A unique touch that blends jazz tradition, "black" soul, and contemporary innovation. 

Artist's biography:

Born in 1970 in Ostuni (Puglia, Italy), he began his journey as a self-taught pianist at the age of 13. At 17, he moved to Milan, where he was admitted directly into the advanced Jazz Piano program led by Franco D'Andrea at the C.P.M. (Centro Professione Musica). During the same period, he pursued studies in Philosophy at the University of Milan ("Statale").

By the age of 19, following the completion of his studies with D'Andrea, he was recruited by C.P.M. as an accompanist and teaching assistant for Tiziana Ghiglioni's Jazz Vocal courses. In 1993, he joined QUINTETTO X as a pianist, composer, and arranger. The group became the flagship ensemble of the "FEZ" movement, led by Nicola Conte, which aimed to redefine 60s and 70s "black" sounds (Jazz, Funk, Bossa Nova) into a powerful, joyful, and strictly live danceable mix. Their 1995 album, "NOVO ESQUEMA DA BOSSA", achieved global recognition, establishing them as leaders of the genre.

After years of intense touring across Italy and Europe, he returned to Puglia. This period was marked by vast musical experimentation, performing hundreds of gigs annually across diverse genres including Jazz, Blues, Pop, Reggae, Soul, R&B, and Progressive Rock.

In recent years, while maintaining specialized roles in IT and logistics, he returned to his personal artistic roots. This "spiritual and artistic rebirth" led to the formation of the acoustic jazz trio T-RIOT (with Francesco Lomagistro on drums and Camillo Pace on double bass). In April 2017, they released the album "A DIFFERENT TRUTH" under the Japanese label Albore Jazz, featuring his original compositions and arrangements.

Key highlights with T-RIOT include:

• June 2017: A live concert-interview at the prestigious RAI Studios (Via Asiago, Rome) for the program "La Stanza della Musica" on Radio Rai 3.

• May 2018: An international tour in Thailand and China (Bangkok and Hong Kong), supported by New Age Productions and the Italian Cultural Institute (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), including a performance at the legendary Bamboo Bar at the Mandarin Oriental.

• Summer 2018: Main stage performances at the JAZZIT FEST and opening for GOGO PENGUIN at the LOCUS FESTIVAL.

In October 2018, he released his solo project, "THE BLUE MANDALA PROJECT - Notes From The Outer Soul", featuring Mimma Pisto, Vincenzo Maurogiovanni, and Phil Maturano. For this album, characterized by a predominantly Neo-Soul and R&B sound, he handled all compositions, lyrics, and arrangements. 

In March 2026, he achieved a Master’s Degree in Jazz Piano with Honors (110/110 e lode) from the "Tito Schipa" Conservatory in Lecce, under the guidance of Maestro Domenico Sanna. His thesis explored the intersection of philosophy, anthropology, and musicology, titled: "The Event of Time, the Dance of the Body: Ritual, Sociality, and Invention in Music."