Antonio Faraò

Born in Rome in 1965, the gifted Italian pianist Antonio Faraó displayed remarkable aptitude from his earliest years. During the 1980s he sharpened his technique at Milan’s Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory. While still a teenager he developed a deep affinity for jazz through regular appearances at local clubs, where listeners immediately noted his exceptional command of the piano. Soon afterward he launched an international touring career that carried him to festivals in Lugano, Merano, Lyon, Umbria Jazz, Palermo, and numerous other venues. At twenty-two he captured the New Talent Prize at the 1987 X1 Music Review, and four years later he was named Pianist of the Year, receiving the Four Roses Prize. In 1998 he won the international Concours Martial Solal competition. His first album, Black Inside, appeared on Enja Records in 1999, with bassist Ira Coleman and drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts completing the trio; the post-bop collection, featuring “Latin Dance,” “Sweet,” and “My One and Only Love,” blended Mediterranean inflections with the African-American jazz language that would define his style. Thorn followed as his second release in early 2001.

As his standing rose, Faraó drew leading jazz musicians into the studio, resulting in the 2002 album Far Out with saxophonist Bob Berg, 2005’s Takes on Pasolini with bassist Miroslav Vitous, and both 2008’s Woman’s Perfume and 2011’s Domi with drummer Andre Ceccarelli. The 2014 recording Evan united him with saxophonist Joe Lovano, bassist Ira Coleman, and drummer Jack DeJohnette. Boundaries, issued in 2015 as his debut for Verve, showcased longtime Italian colleagues saxophonist/drummer Mauro Negri and bassist Martin Gjakonovski. Two years later Eklektik arrived, incorporating appearances by rapper Snoop Dogg, vocalist Walter Ricci, drummer Manu Katché, guitarist Bireli Lagrene, and further guests.