Biography
About Me
Between 1996 and 2000 I studied saxophone with Giulio Visibelli at the Civic Jazz Courses in Milan and, in the same period, I had the opportunity to study harmony and arrangement with Fabio Jeger and to play in the “Civica Jazz Band” directed by Enrico Intra: five fantastic years during which I had the opportunity to perform in numerous concerts with international guests (Max Roach, Kenny Barron, Bobby Watson, Markus Stockhausen, Giorgio Gaslini, Enrico Rava, Paolo Fresu, Franco Cerri, Franco D’Andrea, Gianni Basso) and recorded the CDs Italian “Club” Graffiti (Erga 1998), The Symphonic Ellington, Night Creature (Soul Note 1999) and New Perspectives (Soul Note 2000).
A few years later I obtained a first level degree in Jazz (Composition and Arrangement) at the “A. Vivaldi” Conservatory of Alessandria with a score of 110/110 cum laude and subsequently a master’s degree in Jazz Saxophone (again 110/110 and honors) with a thesis on the saxophonist Tullio Mobiglia.
With the latin-jazz septet “Cascara” we participated in the BargaJazz ’96 International Competition (section D: performance), finishing in second place.
With Alberto Mandarini’s jazz nonet “Phoebus Ensemble”, I participated in numerous international concerts and festivals (Vicenza Jazz 2000, Linguaggi Jazz in Turin in 2001) and recorded the CD Rome-Istanbul (Splasc(h) Records 1998).
With my piece “Foggy Waltz” I won first prize in the International Arrangement and Composition Competition for Jazz Orchestra BargaJazz 2000 (section B: original compositions). The song was subsequently included in the CD BargaJazz Sound & Score (Philology 2005).
In 2004, together with Claudio Saveriano, Luigi Ranghino, Stefano Profeta and Roberto Sbaratto, I participated in the recording of the CD “Riarangià”, which reinterpreted Vercelli dialect songs in a jazz key, and in the subsequent numerous live shows.
In 2005, together with some musicians from the Turin area (Andrea Buffa, Marco Benso, Stefano Brianza, Gianni Virone), we founded the B4 SAX saxophone quartet with which we took part in various musical events such as “Aurore musica in… Crocetta” in Turin in 2007 and “Jazz Sotto le Stelle”, organized by the Province of Asti, in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.
In 2008 with the song entitled “A Working Day” I was the only finalist other than the winner Sid Hille in the tenth edition of the International Composition and Arrangement Competition Scrivere in Jazz of Sassari (section B: original compositions).
I played for several years in jazz orchestras such as the “C.V.M. Big Band” and the “Hasta Jazz Orchestra”, directed by Alberto Mandarini, also offering myself as a composer and arranger in both.
In 2013, with a quartet under my name including the pianist Davide Calvi, the double bass player Stefano Profeta and the drummer Nicola Stranieri, I published the CD “Gigiabbo” for the record label Dodicilune.
In 2017 I received the task of composing the official anthem from the University of Eastern Piedmont, the first performance of which by the UPO orchestra and choir was held in February 2018 in the presence of the highest national and local authorities .
In 2018, for the publishing house Giancarlo Zedde Editore, I published the book “Tullio Mobiglia. A pioneer of jazz saxophone in Europe”.
With the jazz quintet called “Claudio Bianzino Ensemble”, which boasts the participation of musicians such as the trombonist Gianpiero Malfatto, the pianists Luigi Martinale and Daniele Tione, the double bass player Stefano Profeta, the drummers Nicola Stranieri and Paolo Franciscone, we have performed in various concerts ( including at the Conservatory of Alessandria and at the Jazz Club Bergamo) some compositions by Tullio Mobiglia in new arrangements.
In 2021 I was called to compose the original songs for the theater show “Waiting for Beatrice” by Giovanni Mongiano, in which I also participated as a musician; the first performance opened the 2021/22 theater season of the Teatro civico di Vercelli.
I currently direct the big band 78 Giri Hot Ensemble (since 2008) and play in various jazz ensembles as a leader.
Teaching
Teaching
As regards teaching activities, I teach at the F.A. Music School Institution VALLOTTI of Vercelli and I collaborated for several years with the “Soliva” Musical Institute of Casale Monferrato, the Vercelli Music Center, the Civica Scuola Musicale of Mortara and the Four Music School of Borgomanero.
Courses
In twenty-five years of teaching I have had the opportunity to hold courses in jazz and modern saxophone, ensemble music, harmony and arrangement, ear training, theory and practice of improvisation. Furthermore, in collaboration with Roberto Seccamani and Alberto Catuogno, for twenty years I held an orchestral music therapy course at the Anffas association in Vercelli, also dealing with the composition of the songs.
Awards and Recognitions
Second place at the BargaJazz ’96 International Arrangement and Composition Competition (section D: performance).
First Prize at the BargaJazz 2000 International Arrangement and Composition Competition (section B: original compositions).
Report from the Jury of the International Accordion Composition Competition Città di Castelfidardo 2004.
Finalist (the only finalist besides the winner Sid Hille) at the International Composition and Arrangement Competition Scrivere in Jazz 2008 in Sassari (section B: free original compositions).
“Grazia Baltaro” Award in 2013 in Vercelli.
Scheduled Events
Calendar of upcoming events