Born: December 28, 1976 Primary Instrument: Piano
Michele Giuliani is an italian jazz & world music pianist and composer. His music style is sincererly dominated by the wish to share sensations by playing a personal ethno-jazz music strongly influenced by the great master of the past as Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Ahmad Jamal, Abdullah Ibrahim and even Omou Sangare, Salif Keyta, Toumani Diabate, Miriam Makeba and Mulatu Astatke taking from them power and inspiration.
His way to mix together the different element from the world music generates an original live approach full of evocative moments, modern jazz, tribal groove and dances.
In 2009 Giuliani founded Reunion Platz, a trio collective leaded by himself on piano/voice and composed by Marcello Piarulli on electric bass, Cesare Pastanella on an original set of afro-cuban percussions plus Gabin Dabirè on voice and Ana Estrela, dance performer as special guests.
He founded together with Enatalem D. Zeleke, visual artist from Ethiopia, a cultural body named ZeitGeist Culture based in Italy where to collect all the multi-cultural art experiences and pubblications about music, painting, video making, dance performing and art design.
ALL ABOUT JAZZ - review
Michele Giuliani & Reunion Platz | Michele Giuliani (2009) By Achille Brunazzi
“With Roots, the young and talented Italian pianist/composer Michele Giuliani leads a new wave of African jazz, achieving an innovative approach to world music. Giuliani's ensemble magnificently joins different styles and musical cultures together. Africa remains the main source of inspiration, but folk, jazz and blues highlight the group's presence on the beautiful “'Till the End of the World,” and on Giuliani's piano solo tribute to Miriam Makeba, “Saduva.” The music of Roots is mainly based on Afro melodies, where international vocal star Gabin Dabiré recalls the mysticism of traditional tribal song. The project also features an Afro/Cuban ensemble, conducted by percussionist Cesare Pastanella, on “Astatke's Mood,” dedicated to Ethiopian musician/arranger Mulatu Astatke, featuring a remarkable flute solo from Valerio Zaccaro, whose sound recalls the beautiful, dark atmosphere of Rahsaan Roland Kirk on Rip, Rig and Panic (Limelight, 1965). Giuliani and his band have created a vivid and intense album that overcomes the limits of traditional musical boundaries; evocative and refreshingly contrasting some super-polished jazz records.”
Track listing: Ochun; Step by Step; Opening; Roots; 'Till the End of the World; Celebration; Faayzaneh; Saduva; Astatke's Mood; Elegua.
Personnel: Michele Giuliani: acoustic piano; Marcello Piarulli: bass; Cesare Pastanella: congas, percussion; Valerio Zaccaro: flute; Davide Viterbo: cello; Cabildo Blanco: Afro-Cuban folk ensemble, led by Cesare Pastanella; Gabin Dabiré: vocals. Style: African Jazz Published: October 02, 2009
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