Gianni Cazzola

DISCOGRAPHY

Gianni Cazzola, “the italian jazz drum father”.

Gianni Cazzola, born on may the 9th 1938 in San Giovanni in Persiceto (Bologna); since the beginning of his career, he’s been considered one of the best italian drummers.

His musical journey starts at a very young age with his brother Lino, and in 1956 -barely 18-  he begins attending the first jam sessions.

In 1957 comes his debut playing with Franco Cerri; then, the next year, he joins Basso-Valdambrini ensemble.

In the forthcoming years he plays and records with italian and international stars like: Chet Baker, Dexter Gordon, Mal Waldron, Johnny Griffin, Charlie Mariano, Art Farmer, Don Byas, Joe Venuti, Pepper Adams, Red Rodney, Ira Sullivan, Kay Winding, Jimmy Owens, Lee Konitz, Gerry Mulligan, Bob Berg, Curtis Fuller, Joe Farrell, Tommy Flanagan, Jimmy Woode, Phil Woods, Ray Brown, Clark Terry, David Liebman, Mauro Slaviero, Massimo Faraò, Antonio Faraò, Carlo Atti, Steve Grossman, Steve Lacy, Billie Holiday, Sheila Jordan, Helen Merrill, Nancy King, Rachel Gould, Carl Fontana, Harry “Sweet” Edison, Benny Golson, Clifford Jordan, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Horace Parlan, Massimo Urbani, Larry Nocella, Sarah Vaughan, Eddie Gomez, Tom Kirkpatrick, Charles Bowen, Franco Ambrosetti, Luigi Bonafede, Salvatore Bonafede, Gene Bartoncini, Barney Kessel, Garrison Fewell, John Stowell, Steve Gut, Paolo Fresu, Enrico Intra, George Garzone, Jerry Bergonzi, Donald Harrison, Buddy Collette, Tiziana Ghiglioni, Mario Rusca, Tom Harrell, Al Cohn, Lou Bennet, Slide Hampton, Lars Gullin, Barney Wilen, Robin Kenyatta, Marlon Brown and many others.

In 1969, with Oscar Rocchi (piano) and Cornelio Dattoli (bass) he founds his first self named project.

During the 70s, just like Art Blakey, he devoted much of his time scouting young jazz talents. Among others, he spotted: Pietro Tonolo, Sandro Gibellini, Fulvio Sisti, Massimo Urbani, Marco Vaggi, Pietro Leveratto…

Since 1977 he was in Giorgio Gaslini band, and since 1981 in Franco D’Andrea one.

In that very same period, beside teaching at the Milan Conservatory, he plays with Guido Manusardi, Gianluigi Trovesi, joins the European Radio Orchestra and the Saxophone Summit with Larry Nocella, Pietro Tonolo, Massimo Urbani, Riccardo Zegna, Luciano Milanese performing in many international festivals in Czech Republic, USA (New York e San Francisco), Germany, India, Poland, France, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, Jugoslavia, Camerun.

In 1985 wins the “Coppa del Jazz”, during the radio format by Adriano Mazzoletti.

In 1987 he founds the “Italian Repertory Quartet”, playing with Marcello Tonolo (piano), Piero Leveratto (bass), Jacopo Jacopetti (tenor sax). The band remained active until 1992.

In the same period the music label Penta Flowers publishes the record made by his “Nuovo Sestetto Italiano” with Roberto Rossi (trombone), Piero Odorici (tenor and alto sax), Giampaolo Casati (trumpet), Marcello Tonolo (piano) and Piero Leveratto (bass).
In 1990 he wins the “Four Roses” award with both the “Italian Repertory Quartet” and the “Nuovo Sestetto Italiano”.

In 1992 he records with Dado Moroni and Rosario Bonaccorso “What’s New?”, published by Splasc(h).Nel 1992 incide per la Splasc(h).

In 1993 the “Italian Repertory” reunites, with Paolo Birro replacing Tonolo, Rob Bonisolo replacing Jacopetti and Rosario Bonaccorso replacing Leveratto.

In that same year he plays at Umbria Jazz Festival, representing Italy for European Radios.

In 1996 the third incarnation of “Italian Repertory Quartet” was born with Bebo Ferra (guitar), Marco Micheli (bass) e Andrea Dulbecco (vibraphone).

He’s played and recorded with Tiziana Ghiglioni.

He plays regularly with Attilio Zanchi.

In 2000, paying his respects to the jazz tradition and to Art Blakey in particular, he founds a Hard Bop quintet.

In 2001 debuts his “Smell Quintet”, formed by young musicians from Bologna: Michele Vignali (sax), Marco Bovi (electric guitar), Nico Menci (piano), Paolo Benedettini (bass), usually performing like a piano trio.

In 2007 founded the ensemble “Gianni Cazzola incontra i Giovani Giganti” with Emiliano Vernizzi (tenor sax), Humberto Amesquita (trombone), Mattia Magatelli (bass) and Simone Daclon (piano).

In 2008 he records a traditional bop album: “The Weekend Session” with his “Gianni Cazzola Quintet”.

In 2009 he plays with “Mama”: in this project two new jazz talents unite: Ettore Martin (tenor sax) and Alberto Marsico (Hammond organ).

Later that year he plays in Tullio Ricci’s recording “Meets Gianni Cazzola & Friends”.

In 2011 he records “Blakey Legacy” with the  “Gianni Cazzola Sextet”, with Gendrickson Mena Diaz (trumpet), Humberto Amesquita (trombone), Emiliano Vernizzi (tenor sax), Simone Daclon (piano), Roberto Piccolo (bass).

It’s worth mentioning his many pop collaborations too like for instance Mina in her 1972 vinyl 7”, “Grande Grande Grande/Non ho parlato mai” and “Il cielo in una stanza”.

In 2020 he publishes for All Right Riserva Recordz “Three Generations”, his latest musical project. The title refers to the different ages of the musicians involved (from 17 to 81 years old). 
The album has been recorded live in studio at the All Right Riserva Studio in Verona, on the 17th of november, 2019, produced by Achille Caifa for Yoloco Music Inc.

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