Concert for Syria

Giovanni Ceccarelli is an Italian pianist, composer, arranger, artistic producer, and educator currently living in Paris, France.

His numerous artistic projects present a repertoire based on original compositions, own arrangements of music coming from different traditions – jazz, songs, folk, pop –, and the interaction with other forms of artistic expression – cinema, poetry, theater, and dance.

Giovanni’s first CD as a leader, “Daydreamin’” (2010) presents a repertoire of original compositions. The second one, “Météores” (2011) is produced by French label Bonsaï Music. It is a trio recording featuring David Linx and Fausto Mesolella as guest artists. The CD meets the critics› and public’s recognition («Sélection FIP» by national radio FIP, «Sélection écouteurs» by Birdland radio in France, and «Sélection HMCH» from Harmonia Mundi in Switzerland).

Giovanni Ceccarelli is co-leader of the duo CD «The Street Dancer» (Philology, 1998), which is recorded together with USA pianist Eddie Wied. In 2009 Giovanni releases «Feedin› Inner Urges», an album recorded with vocalist Fabrizia Barresi, and «The Nights of the Beuscher», a double album containing live recordings with great saxophonist Massimo Urbani. «Waxin› in Camerino» (Philology, 2011) is published after a fifteen year-long collaboration with jazz master Lee Konitz. The album is recorded by the pianist’s French Trio and it is awarded with «Jazzit Likes It!» by Italian magazine «Jazzit».

Giovanni Ceccarelli and bassist Ferruccio Spinetti are founders of group InventaRio, starring also Brazilian singer/multi-instrumentalist Dadi and drummer/percussionist Francesco Petreni. The group’s first CD, «InventaRio» (My Favorite Records, 2010), is produced by Ceccarelli and Spinetti, with the participation of Marisa Monte, Ivan Lins, Petra Magoni, and Pacifico. In 2012 the group releases «InventaRio incontra Ivan Lins», an album entirely recorded with the great Brazilian singer, pianist, and composer. The CD is published by famous label Blue Note (in Brazil by Biscoito Fino), featuring several internationally renowned artists, such as Chico Buarque, Vanessa da Mata, Fabrizio Bosso, Maria Pia De Vito, Vinicius Cántuaria, and Maria Gadú. In 2014 the album receives a nomination by the «Latin Grammy Awards» as «Best MPB Album».

Ceccarelli’s duo with saxophonist Marcello Alulli has performed all over the world, giving concerts and presenting their Live soundtrack for silent movie “Cenere”.

Giovanni’s most recent project is a duo with Italian bandoneón player Daniele di Bonaventura. The two musicians present a repertoire of original compositions, which they release in the album «Mare Calmo» (EvArt, 2015). Their upcoming album is a homage to the music of great Brazilian composer Tom Jobim, featuring Ivan Lins and Brazilian cellist Jaques Morelenbaum as guest artists.

Giovanni’s collaborations in concert, studio recordings, radio, and TV programs include many internationally renowned artists, such as Benny Golson, Amii Stewart, Mark Murphy, Nancy King, Charles Davis, Paolo Fresu, Enrico Rava, Kenny Wheeler, Tony Scott, Musica Nuda, and Manu Katché. His discography amounts to more than 40 albums recorded as a leader, co-leader, featured artist, and sideman. Three of his albums as co- leader have been released in Japan with a special edition. Ceccarelli has toured the entire world both with his own musical projects and as a sideman.

He is as well an active music educator, giving courses, masterclasses, clinics, workshops, and lectures all over the world on jazz piano, improvisation, and ensemble music.