Franco D'Andrea

Francesco "Franco" D'Andrea (born March 8, 1941 in Merano) is an Italian jazz pianist and composer.

Life

D'Andrea is considered one of the most famous jazz musicians from Italy and has recorded some 200 albums. He developed his style in the 1960s and won several awards in his home country. He has worked with Gato Barbieri, Steve Lacy, Dave Liebman, John Surman, Kenny Wheeler, Phil Woods, Ernst Reijseger, Slide Hampton, Frank Rosolino, Conte Candoli, Max Roach, Lee Konitz, Johnny Griffin, Tony Scott, Han Bennink, Dave Douglas and also with numerous Italian musicians.

His career began in 1963 with Nunzio Rotondo playing for the Italian broadcast RAI and in Gato Barbieri's band in 1964-65. D'Andrea continued then with the Italian vanguard ensemble Modern Art Trio 1968-72 and Perigeo 1972-77. Since 1978 he's been playing with his own bands (Trio, Quartet, Eleven) and as a solo performer. He has been a teacher at the Conservatorio "F.A. Bonporti" in Trento 1994-2006 and currently at mitteleuorpean jazz academy in Merano and at Siena Jazz.