Paolo Lattanzi

Born in 1977 in Macerata, Italy, Paolo's discovery of music starts soon thanks to his brother’s and mother's assortment of albums ranging in genres from Rock to Classical.

At the age of 16, he buys his first drumkit. A huge fan of Led Zeppelin he focuses mainly on the sound of those incredible albums and the other great rock bands of the 60's and 70's. In the following years he expands his repertoire of styles by being part of hard rock, blues and latin bands and in 1998 he wins an award for best drummer in a regional competition while he keeps playing extensively in central Italy.

With the discovery of jazz Paolo starts to explore a growing interest in a "freer", more expressive approach to music. In the year 2000 he decides that in order to keep moving ahead musically he has to leave the comforts of his current life and go where he could learn more and challenge himself. In January of 2002 he enrolls at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, majoring in performance and graduates with the honor of “Magna Cum Laude” in the spring of 2005.

While studying the drums Paolo develops a strong interest in composing and arranging and during his years at Berklee he divides his studies between the drums and the “staff”. Soon after graduating he joins those two sides and forms a group with which he records Night Dancers, featuring him as leader, composer and drummer. (Silta Records, released summer 2006)

He participated in various projects and played extensively in many Boston and New York clubs including the Skybar, the Paradise Club, the Middle East, the Samba, the C-Note, CBGB’s, the Beehive, Vernissage, Dante Alighieri Society of Massachusetts, Smalls Jazz Club and more.

In 2009, after a period of deep focus into practicing and composing, he gives birth to a new project called "Characteristic Pitches" involving some of the best musicians in the Boston area. In August the same year they record Multitude with very special guest Robin Eubanks on trombone, the album is released later in December (Silta Records SR0906). More info at www.CharacteristicPitches.com

Paolo Lattanzi studied drums with: Massimo Manzi (George Garzone, Mick Goodrick, Pat Metheny), Casey Scheuerell (Chaka Khan, Gino Vanelli, Jean-Luke Ponty, Robben Ford), Kenwood Dennard (Miles Davis, Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillespie, Gil Evans, Sting), Ian Froman (Dave Liebman), Skip Hadden (Bill Frisell, Joe Lovano), Jon Hazilla (studies with Joe Morello and Max Roach), Robert Kaufman (George Garzone, Bill Frisell, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Mike Stern), Mike Mangini (Steve Vai, Extreme), Ralph Peterson (Michael Brecker, Branford Marsalis), John Ramsay (Wynton Marsalis, James Moody), Bob Tamagni (Sled Dogs, Mike Metheny Quartet) Steve Wilkes (Glen Velez, Dave Samuels) and Marcello Pellitteri (Joe Henderson, Wynton Marsalis, Eddie Gomez, Dave Liebman).

Drum Clinics with: Dave Weckl, Bill Stewart, Steve Smith, Steve Gadd and Jack DeJohnette. Other Jazz Clinics: Dave Holland, Pat Metheny.

Paolo also broadened his musical spectrum by studying introductory courses of: Music Technology, Music Business, Piano, Vibraphone, Timpani, Afrocuban percussions, Brazilian percussions and World percussions.

Influences count drummers like: Roy Haynes, Jack DeJohnette, Tony Williams, Bill Stewart, Billy Kilson, Brian Blade, Elvin Jones, Peter Erskine, Jeff “Tain” Watts, John “Bonzo” Bonham and many others.

Other musical influences: Dave Holland, Pat Metheny, John Scofield, Led Zeppelin, Avishai Cohen, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Miles Davis, John Coltrane and many others.

After nine years in Boston, MA, Mr. Lattanzi has recently moved to New York City, where he keeps working on the development of his career and skills as a musician.

Paolo Lattanzi endorses UFIP Cymbals.

Discography: • Andres Wilson Band: "Ink and Sound" (2006) • Paolo Lattanzi Group: "Night Dancers" (Silta Records 2006) • Characteristic Pitches featuring Robin Eubanks: "Multitude" (Silta Records 2009)

Gear

UFIP Cymbals