Biography
Antonio Ciacca's inventive approach to the piano has established his reputation across both shores of the Atlantic. Born in Germany and raised in Italy, he has accompanied notable jazz figures such as Steve Lacy, Craig Bailey, Benny Golson, Art Farmer, and Lee Konitz. As founder and music director of the Detroit Gospel Singers, he led the ensemble on a twenty-city European tour in December 2000. Earlier, he toured Europe with the Larry Smith Quartet in 1995 and 1996, then joined Joe Henderson and Steve Lacy for further European dates in 1999. In 1998 he performed in Japan alongside the Eiji Nakayama Quartet. Ciacca began studying piano at age seven, working with teachers including Steve Grossman, Kenny Barron, Marcus Bellgrave, and Barry Harris. He dedicated his 1998 album Hollis Avenue to Jaki Byard, with whom he studied during 1998 and 1999. Ciacca earned a master's degree in Afro-American musicology from the University of Bologna. He remains an active force in the ongoing development of European jazz. Founding the nonprofit Italy-based organization C-Jam Music, which promotes world music, he also created and served as music director for the Appennino Music Festival in 2001.
Albums