Born: October 2, 1963 Primary Instrument: Piano
Paolo Ricca Born in 1963 in Turin, Italy, Paolo began studying classical piano at an early age. He continued his studies, and as a young man, expanded into the realm of jazz Performance and composition at the noted Centro Professione Musica in Milan, under the tutelage of Franco D’Andrea. It was there that he earned his Diploma Superiore and shortly thereafter, in the early 80’s, began his professional carreer. In just a few years, he performed in well over 100 concerts and festivals all over Europe, simultaneously building a solid reputation as a studio musician. He would collaborate with such notables as Arthur Miles, F. Boltro, Lee Brown, La Verne Jackson, J. Silveira, M. Samba (from Joe Zawinul’s Sindycate ), M. Orza, Dee D. Jackson and many others. (For a complete list, look under “Collaborations”). Later on, he met and played with numerous Latin American artists, among them Moncada, Ruben Rada ( cofounder with Airto Moreira of the group Opa), Luzia Santana, Trasluz and others. He frequently played with these artists in scores of major Latin ” American music festivals. His interest in new technologies, computers, sequencers, looping, sampling, all served to spark his interest in studio work, which includes engineering, recording, as well arranging and composing. He has worked for major recording companies, producing music not only from Italy, but on an international level. Some of his project include : the production of the album “ Trip-Tik” in collaboration with the DJ from Radio MonteCarlo Maurizio di Maggio, the CD released under the pseudonim Paul Rhodes which include jazz, trip-hop and jungle, a new take on the classic “ I Love Supreme “ by J. Coltrane in jazz-funk, the acid-jazz project “ Express Your Soul “ featuring English as well American musician, published in Japan, and the disc “ Living the Blues “ by American singer Arthur Miles, well-known in Italy as a frequent collaborator with Zucchero for many years. Paolo has participated as both a writer and instrumentalist with Furio Chirico, drummer for the notable Italian jazz-rock band “ Arti e Mestieri “, contributing two works which were performed at the prestigious Modern Drummer Festival in New York, and trasmitted to an international network audience. Paolo is involved with film and television soundtrack production as well, in Italy, he has frequently worked with RAI, the national network. As can readily be seen, Paolo has been very active in virtually every aspect of the music business, even as an educator, teaching piano, theory, harmony, and composition to numerous students, in both public and private schools. Finally the solo CD by Paolo Ricca, alias “Batik”- edited by Electromantic Music (www.electromantic.com) and distributed world-wide by Ma.ra.cash ” has come out. In his latest mastepiece of contemporary jazz, Paolo presents 10 pieces produced by himself besides the cover of “Sporca Estate” by the song writer and singer from Livorno, Piero Ciampi. Paolo has recorded this CD with the collaborations of Maurizio Plancher (drum), Marco Gallesi (bass), and the remarkable guests Diego Mascherpa (clarinet), Amik Guerra (flugelhorn, Cuban musician currently Working with the well-known drummer Horacio “El negro” Hernandez) and Marco Robino (cello, leader of the 5 member group named “Architorti”
Batik is an indonesian word used to describe lovely, even enchanting pictures, scenes, created with the use of indiginous vegetable dyes upon a silky fabric, also of local origin. The result is a joy to be hold , to look at, even to touch. Ricca’s album is also such a joy, but for the sense of hearing. DANIELE CUTALI (Movimenti Prog)
“Ricca here demonstrates his familiarity and flexibility with contemporary styles, from world-music to nu-jazz, a fountain of fresh ideas; no doubt the result of a challenge-filled 20 years career in music” MARCO BASSO (La Stampa)
Paolo Ricca studied with Franco D’Andrea, and his resumè is filled with prestigious musical collaborations. This, his latest album, “Batik”, is filled with both solo and ensemble playing, the latter with outstanding musicians. Ricca has succeeded in presenting pieces of diverse inspiration and atmosphere, all well selected and presented. RINALDO PRANDONI (Il Popolo del Blues)
Among the eleven tracks in this album, which make for most pleasurable listening, the choice to include a cover of “Sporca Estate” really topped things off; to include a piece by Piero Ciampi really says a lot about the cultural integrity of this musician. ANDREA ROMEO (L’isola che non c’era)
Disclaimer: All About Jazz is not responsible for the accuracy of the discographical data at the website(s) provided. If a link is no longer valid, please contact discography@allaboutjazz.com. Thank you.
Primary Instrument:
Piano
