ABOUT

Marco Marconi Biography

It isn’t often you discover a performer whose creative ability takes your breath away in the first 30 seconds of hearing their music. A style so innovative in concept and contemporary in style, established Jazz artists you’ve come to know and enjoy over time are pushed aside to accommodate a musical sensation so rare you’re knocked off your feet immediately.

Marco Marconi is an accomplished, classically-trained Jazz pianist who grew up in the breathtaking region of Umbria in Italy, and who made a life changing decision to move permanently to the UK in 2012 to pursue his musical career. He made the right choice.

His skill as a composer so naturally distinctive and seemingly effortless, he’s earned a reputation as a class act on the British festival circuit, the Fazioli Concert Hall in Venice and the buzzing London Jazz Club scene. Marco Marconi and his trio’s debut album NORDIK recorded in Venice in 2013, was a well received collection of eclectic genius and garnered rave reviews.

Marco is a breath of fresh air for dedicated Jazz fans everywhere.

Anthea Redmond, Founder JazzBitesRadio.com, March, 2016

“An exceptional talent”
John Priestly, Sirocco Music

Words from Marco

Hi everyone! I want to use this page to tell you a little about myself and what motivates me to create and make music and the journey that music has taken me on.

In 2012 I moved to the UK, just outside London, from my native Umbria in Italy where I had lived a lifetime until then.

I met some amazing musicians in London and soon formed the Marco Marconi Trio, which although UK based had an all-Italian line up featuring Andrea di Biase on double bass and Enzo Zirilli on drums.  We instantly formed a musical bond and Enzo and Andrea leaped to the challenge of playing my own compositions, giving their own special input and flair to the music, recording our first album, Nordik, together at the Fazioli Concert Hall in Venice, Italy in November 2013.

Leading up to this, we did our first UK tour together in October 2013 playing at The Stables, Parr Jazz, Stratford Jazz & Soundcellar as well as other venues,  getting some great reviews along the way.

“An inspirational feast of stylish contemporary jazz this remarkable trio had the audience spellbound from the onset with Marco’s original compositions interspersed with jazz standards.”
Roy Stevens, Stratford Jazz

Nordik was released on the 33Jazz label owned by Paul Jolly and the album launch took place at the Nordik launch – Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho in February 2016.

Following Enzo’s move back to Italy, I reformed the Trio with the amazing Tom Farmer on double bass and the incredible Emiliano Caroselli on drums.   We released a new album, Trialogue, again with 33 Jazz, in June 2017 at the 606 Club in London.  Trialogue received fantastic reviews and the Trio started to perform regularly in London and the UK.

No sooner had Trialogue been launched, than Paul Jolly, my producer at 33 Jazz, approached me again to start thinking about putting together some tracks for the next album! Max Ionata agreed to join the Trio as a special guest and New Roads came to life with a live recording at The Bear Club (Luton) on 8th June 2019.  New Roads was launched at the 606 Club on 3rd October 2019 and has had some amazing reviews.

Shortly after my move to the UK, I met Alan Bates from the legendary Candid Records label and was so happy when he asked me to sign to his label in 2013.  He re-released my previous indie piano solo album Mosaico on his label and was hoping to work with me on Nordik, but sadly ill health has taken over and Alan released me to 33Jazz.  Alan’s belief and support in me was amazing and I can’t thank him enough for helping me settle in the UK.

Fazioli Concert Hall
My favourite ever piano at the Fazioli Concert Hall – photo taking during the recording of Nordik

Growing up in Italy, music was always going to be the way I lived my life.  My granddad played the accordion and I remember rushing home from school to learn from him.  I picked up the clarinet and then moved on to piano, studying classical piano and then jazz at the Music Conservatory of Perugia, completing two diplomas and a post-grad in jazz, all with honours.

I have performed all over Italy, playing at many different jazz festivals, concerts & gigs with my previous Trio including Umbria Jazz, the Umbria Film Festival, Arezzo Jazz, The Festival of Nations, the Valmarecchia Jazz Festival and the Festival of the Saracens where I performed one of my own pieces called “Lord Byron” using medieval saracen influences.

My first UK appearance was at the fringe at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival in 2009. That was such a great experience!  I came back to the UK in 2011 to play piano solo at the Lancaster Music Festival, which is when I think I decided that I wanted to move permanently to the UK to continue playing jazz here – the audiences are so fantastic!!

“I think everyone that heard Marco play was very impressed and I was also overwhelmed by his dedication… Marco is a remarkable musician and made a big impact on us this year.”
Steve Symons, Cheltenham Jazz Festival Manager 2009