Antonio Ciacca
Encyclopedia
Antonio Ciacca is an Italian
-American
jazz
pianist
, Instructor at the Juilliard School
, and Director of Programming
at Jazz at Lincoln Center
.
1997 proved a key year for Ciacca, as saxophonist Steve Lacy invited Ciacca to join his quartet in a collaboration that would last for seven years. The same year, Antonio Ciacca met Wynton Marsalis
, who would later become Ciacca’s colleague at Jazz at Lincoln Center
, while Marsalis was performing in Italy with Elvin Jones. The following year, Ciacca began performing with saxophonist Benny Golson, who would continue to be a collaborator in Ciacca’s career.
In 2007, Antonio Ciacca entered arts administration in the United States and assumed the role of Director of Programming at Jazz at Lincoln Center, working alongside Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis. In 2009, Ciacca’s also began teaching “Business of Jazz” at the Juilliard School of Music
.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
-American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
pianist
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, Instructor at the Juilliard School
Juilliard School
The Juilliard School, located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, United States, is a performing arts conservatory which was established in 1905...
, and Director of Programming
Program director
In service industries, such as education, a program director or programme director researches, plans, develops and implements one or more of the firm's professional services...
at Jazz at Lincoln Center
Jazz at Lincoln Center
Jazz at Lincoln Center is part of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. JALC's performing arts complex, Frederick P. Rose Hall, is located at West 60th Street and Broadway in New York City, slightly south of the main Lincoln Center campus and directly adjacent to Columbus Circle. Frederick P....
.
Biography
Born in Germany in 1969, raised in Italy and educated in the United States, pianist, composer, and arts-presenter Antonio Ciacca began his career in jazz as a sideman for Art Farmer, James Moody, Lee Konitz, Jonny Griffin, Mark Murphy, Dave Liebman, and Steve Grossman. Grossman’s influence in particular— with whom Ciacca studied for three years—proved an important inspiration for Ciacca’s own style. In 1993, Ciacca moved to Detroit to study at Wayne State University with Kenny Barron, after which he studied privately with Jackie Byard in New York. Whilst living in Detroit, he was first exposed to gospel music, an influence he soon integrated it into his own developing style as a composer and performer; Ciacca eventually went on to produce a CD for the Detroit Gospel Singers.1997 proved a key year for Ciacca, as saxophonist Steve Lacy invited Ciacca to join his quartet in a collaboration that would last for seven years. The same year, Antonio Ciacca met Wynton Marsalis
Wynton Marsalis
Wynton Learson Marsalis is a trumpeter, composer, bandleader, music educator, and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. Marsalis has promoted the appreciation of classical and jazz music often to young audiences...
, who would later become Ciacca’s colleague at Jazz at Lincoln Center
Jazz at Lincoln Center
Jazz at Lincoln Center is part of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. JALC's performing arts complex, Frederick P. Rose Hall, is located at West 60th Street and Broadway in New York City, slightly south of the main Lincoln Center campus and directly adjacent to Columbus Circle. Frederick P....
, while Marsalis was performing in Italy with Elvin Jones. The following year, Ciacca began performing with saxophonist Benny Golson, who would continue to be a collaborator in Ciacca’s career.
In 2007, Antonio Ciacca entered arts administration in the United States and assumed the role of Director of Programming at Jazz at Lincoln Center, working alongside Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis. In 2009, Ciacca’s also began teaching “Business of Jazz” at the Juilliard School of Music
Juilliard School
The Juilliard School, located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, United States, is a performing arts conservatory which was established in 1905...
.
As leader
- Driemoty (1997)
- Hollis Avenue (1998)
- Autumn in New York (2002)
- Live in Mosciano S.Angelo Featuring Benny Golson (2004)
- Rush Life (Motéma MusicMotéma MusicMotéma Music is an American record label focused on jazz and world music, as well as other creative projects by virtuosic musicians who also compose. It was founded by Jana Herzen in 2003, and is now based in Harlem, New York City...
, 2008) - Lagos Blues (Motéma, 2010)
As sideman
- Larry Smith & Co Live at the Slovak Phihlarmonic (1996)
- Larry Smith Quartet Estate (1998)
- Detroit Gospel Singers Gospel Jubilee (2000)
- Craig Bailey Sextet Brooklyn (2001)
- Various Artists Gubbio No Border Festival (2004)
- Dario Mazzucco Light Lunch (2008)
- Lucio Ferrara Quintet Featuring Lee Konitz & Antonio Ciacca It's All Right with Me (2009)
- Stefania Tchantret Quintet Love For Sale (2010)