Born in Umbertide, Italy in 1975, Marco started his musical studies on the clarinet before moving on to the piano. Studying privately with Mauro Nadir Matteucci, Marco gained his diploma in classical piano from the Conservatory “F Morlacchi” in Perugia at the age of twenty two achieving the highest grade with “lode” or honours. This accolade is very rarely awarded to any who have studied outside of the Conservatory.
Marco soon went on to win several competitions including the National Competition “Città di Campomorone” (Genova) in 1995, the International Competition “Guido Monaco” World Competition (Arezzo) and the “A Gori” Sarteano Competition (Siena) in 2002. In 1998 he took part in the annual competition at “La Fenice”, Venice, open only to the top graduates from Italian music colleges. Additionally, he has had excellent results in other numerous competitions both nationally and internationally.
Later, Marco followed “courses of perfectionism” with Carlo Alberto Neri, professor at the Conservatory “F. Morlacchi” in Perugia and with Riccardo Risaliti, professor at the Conservatory “G Verdi” in Milano as part of the “Festival of Nations”, a yearly international music festival held at Città di Castello.
Having gained his first diploma, Marco moved on to discover the incredible world of jazz. Using his phenomenal technique and talent, he started to study with Ramberto Ciammarughi, himself an exceptional pianist and composer on the European jazz scene. Swiftly becoming a jazz appassionato, Marco gained a second diploma in 2005 at the Conservatory “F. Morlacchi” in Perugia, under the tutorlage of Paolo Di Sabatino, again achieving maximum votes.
Throughout this time, Marco continued to further his studies in jazz under the guidance of Ramberto Ciammarughi, researching increasingly in depth into the music and structure of jazz and discovering his own personal sense of style and self expression. April 2008 saw Marco complete his post graduate studies in jazz winning maximum votes and high praise from the examiners. He is now officially a Doctor of Jazz!
Influences on Marco’s jazz studies include the incredible work of Keith Jarret, Bill Evans, Duke Ellington, Art Tatum, Chick Corea, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Chet Baker, Winton Marsalis , Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, Pat Metheny, Gary Peacock, Jack De Janette and closer to home, Ramberto Ciammarughi and Paolo di Sabatino. Marco is also exploring the role of the piano in latin jazz, especially Gonzalo Rubalcaba!
Marco has also taken part in several jazz workshops with Ciammarughi, Massimo Moriconi, Fabio Zeppetella, Umberto Fiorentino and legendary drummer, John Arnold.
As a composer, Marco spends much of his time writing jazz which he performs live in concert. Listen to “The Day Before” on the music page, to hear one of Marco’s ballads.
In 2002, Marco won a competition as accompanist at the Conservatory “F. Morlacchi” in Perugia, a post he still currently holds.
As a jazz soloist Marco regularly performs in Italy and also in duo formation or with Trio Lumiere.
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