Furio Di Castri was born in Milan in 1955. Before moving permanently to Turin in 1990, he lived in various cities: Buenos Aires, Naples, Venice, Turin, Tunis, Rome and Paris. Self-taught, at the age of 11, he approaches the study of music, first playing the trumpet and then the electric bass and double bass. At the age of 17, in 1973, he recorded his first album entitled "Dedalus" with the group jazz-rock homonym. In Rome, where he settled in 1978, he came into contact with the musicians of the Capitoline jazz scene, including Maurizio Giammarco and Massimo Urbani, with whom he began an intense collaboration. In a short time he becomes one of the most requested Italian double bass players in the guise of sideman in recordings alongside musicians such as Chet Baker, Art Farmer, Walter Davis Jr, Jimmy Knepper, Freddie Hubbard, Kenny Clark, Franco D'Andrea, Sal Nistico.
The eighties saw him join Enrico Pieranunzi's quartet and quintet for the recording of the album "Isis" (1980), Enrico Rava's quartet and the French pianist Michel Petrucciani's trio, with whom he recorded, together with double bass player Aldo Romano, the album “Estate” (1982). In the same period he took part in Maurizio Giammarco's "Lingomania" project and in 1987 he recorded his first solo album entitled "Solo" for the Splasc(H) label.
Over the years he has participated in concerts and recordings by international jazz musicians such as Joe Henderson, Chet Baker, John Taylor, Steve Lacy, Lee Konitz, Paul Motian, Joe Lovano, Tony Oxley, Daniel Humair, Barry Altschul, John Abercrombie, Richard Galliano, Paul Bley, Paolo Fresu, Kenny Wheeler, Michael Brecker, Dave Liebman, John Scofield, Antonello Salis, Luca Flores, Joe La Barbera. Always interested in various artistic expressions, since the 2000s he has dedicated himself to composing music for orchestral workshops, performance of dance, theatre, contemporary art and soundtracks of literary texts.
In addition to his activity as double bass player and composer, since 1990 Furio di Castri has held the position of teacher at the Siena Jazz Foundation, in the conservatories of Sassari and Parma and, since 2000, of director of the Jazz Department of the Conservatory of Turin, where he is also double bass and composition teacher.
In 2007 he won the prize Insound (announced by the homonymous magazine) as the best Italian double bass player.
Essential discography: Estate with Michel Petrucciani and Aldo Romano (1982 – Riviera Records), Things (1985 – Fonit Cetra), Solo! (1987 – Splasc(h) Records), Unknown Voyage (1989 – A Tèmpo), What Color For A Tale (1991 – Splasc(h) Records), Mythscapes (1995 – Soul Note), Live at the Big Mama (2001 – Soul Note), The Need To Go Down (2007 – Parco Della Musica Records), Zapping (2008 – Promo Music)
Foreign jazz musicians in Europe – Part 1
Several African-American musicians moved to the Old Continent during the 1950s and 1960s; although there are many reasons for this decision, they all have a common trait: the need to move away from a country, the United States, torn apart by the perpetuation of racial segregation and by violent clashes and demonstrations. It derives from the part of the jazz musicians the...
Radio3 Lingomania
Concert of the Lingomania band on Radio3 in 1986. Maurizio Giammarco: saxophone/Flavio Boltro: trumpet/Umberto Fiorentino: guitar/Furio Di Castri: double bass/Roberto Gatto: drums Founded by saxophonist and composer Maurizio Giammarco in 1984, following a meeting with trumpeter Flavio Boltro, the Lingomania quintet featured Stefano Sabbatini on keyboards, Roberto Gatto on battery and Furio Di...
Romano/Petrucciani/Marcotulli/Di Castri
Nella foto (da sinistra) il batterista Aldo Romano, il pianista francese Michel Petrucciani, la cantante Carla Marcotulli e il contrabbassista Furio Di Castri. Contributo condiviso da Carla Marcotulli Collegamenti esterni: Dô (Eng Nov 1989 Paris) Aldo Romano/Furio Di Castri Fresu – D’Andrea – Di Castri – Romano Michel Petrucciani Trio – E S T A...
Opening Night – Enrico Rava Quartet
Album entitled "Opening Night" by Enrico Rava's quartet recorded in 1981 at Tonstudio Bauer (Ludwigsburg) and released in 1982 by the ECM Records label. Enrico Rava: trumpet, flugelhorn/Franco D'Andrea: piano/Furio Di Castri: double bass/Aldo Romano: drums, guitar Contribution shared by Furio Di Castri External links: Interiors (Live) · Enrico Rava · Joe Lovano
The Eighties – New musical perspectives
At the beginning of the eighties we witness the affirmation of a large group of young musicians who came to the fore in the previous decade. It is not the result dictated by chance, but also configured in a gradual process of conscious growth, the effects of which will be tangible in the long run. Several factors contribute to this ascending parabola which, overlapping in...
Animals – Enrico Rava 4uartet
Album entitled "Animals" by Enrico Rava's quartet. The album was recorded on 2, 3, 4, 5 June 1987 at the Psycho Recording studios in Milan and released by the Gala Records label Enrico Rava: trumpet, flugelhorn/Augusto Mancinelli: electric guitar, synth guitar/Furio Di Castri: double bass/Mario Beggio: drums Contribution shared by Enrico Pieranunzi External links:...
Flying – Carla Marcotulli
Album entitled "Flying" by singer Carla Marcotulli recorded in 1986 at the Studi Forum in Rome and released in 1987 on the Fonit Cetra label. Carla Marcotulli: voice / Flavio Boltro: trumpet / Massimo Urbani: saxophone / Antonio Faraò: piano / Furio Di Castri: double bass / Anders Kjellberg: drums The album features the pianist Rita Marcotulli, Carla's sister, in two songs and Massimo Urbani. ..
Precision of the Night – Maurizio Giammarco Quartet
Album entitled "Precisione della Notte" by Maurizio Giammarco's quartet recorded during the month of May 1982 at the Trafalgar Recording Studios in Rome and published by the Riviera Records label. Maurizio Giammarco: tenor sax/Danilo Rea: piano/Furio Di Castri: double bass/Roberto Gatto: drums On the album are: Alfredo Minotti (congas, percussion), Marco Rinalduzzi (electric guitar), Enzo...
Massimo Urbani on drums
In the photo the saxophonist Massimo Urbani tries his hand at the drums accompanied by the double bass player Furio Di Castri (in the photo there is also the drummer Valerio Abeni) Contribution shared by Carla Marcotulli External links: Massimo Urbani Gianni Lenoci Trio -The Summer knows Star Eyes – Steve Grossman, Flavio Boltro, Massimo Urbani, Stefano Sabatini, Marco Fratini, Giampaolo Ascolese
Of Castri/Nocella
Nella foto il contrabbassista Furio Di Castri e il sassofonista Larry Nocella in concerto. Contributo condiviso da Carla Marcotulli Collegamenti esterni: Jazz From Italy – Tullio De Piscopo & Larry Nocella Furio Di Castri Official Site
Oscar Rocchi Quintet – Alchemy in Jazz
Song entitled "Gold-Fast" extracted from the album entitled "Alchemy in Jazz" by the Oscar Rocchi Quintet published by the Ring label in 1979. Oscar Rocchi: piano/Sergio Fanni: trumpet/Hugo Heredia: saxophone, flute/Furio Di Castri: bass/Gianni Cazzola: drums Contribution shared by Furio Di Castri External links: Oscar Rocchi Discography Furio Di Castri Official Site
Pietro Tonolo – Quartet Quintet Sextet
Album entitled "Pietro Tonolo - Quartet Quintet Sextet" by saxophonist Pietro Tonolo recorded on 25, 26, 27 November 1984 at the "Sound Video Cat" studio in Rome and released by Peppo Spagnoli's Splasc(h) Records label. Pietro Tonolo: tenor sax/Franco Piana: trumpet/Rita Marcotulli: piano/Sandro Gibellini: guitar/Furio Di Castri: bass/Roberto Gatto: drums Contribution shared by...
Urbani / Di Castri / Roche at Larry's Club
Concert at Larry's Club in Turin (1988) by the trio formed by: Massimo Urbani: saxophone Furio Di Castri: double bass Manhu Roche: drums The "Larry's Club" is a jazz club in Turin dedicated to the memory of saxophonist Larry Nocella who died at the age of 39 in 1989. Right in the Piedmontese capital, in 1970, Larry Nocella met a...
Isis - Conjunction of musical paths
Not always bringing together talented musicians in a recording session proves to be a guarantee to obtain a result that lives up to expectations. Not infrequently, technical-instrumental excellence pushes musicians to play in a self-referential way, depriving the performance of the necessary condition to find the perfect balance of listening and response in real time between...
Songs - Aldo Romano Quartet
Album dal titolo “Canzoni” del quartetto del batterista italo-francese Aldo Romano registrato il 27 marzo del 1992 e pubblicato dall’etichetta Enja Records nel 1997. Aldo Romano: batteria/Furio Di Castri: contrabbasso/Franco D’Andrea: pianoforte/Paolo Fresu: tromba L’Aldo Romano Quartet tra la fine degli anni Ottanta e gli inizi dei Novanta registra cinque album, “Ritual” (1988), “To Be...
Furio Di Castri – Alone!
First solo album of the double bass player and composer Furio Di Castri entitled "Solo!" recorded on 11 and 12 April and 15 May 1987 at REM Studio in Bra (Piedmont) and released by the Splasc(H) label. Curiosity: The design of the album cover was made by Furio Di Castri himself. External links: Furio Di Castri Home Page Furio...
A Night At The Shalimar
Album entitled "A Night At The Shalimar" by trumpeter Chet Baker recorded live on May 23, 1987 at the Shalimar Club in Senigallia (Marche) and released in 1991 by Paolo Piangiarelli's Philology label. Chet Baker: trumpet, voice/Nicola Stilo: flute/Luca Flores and Mike Melillo: piano/Furio Di Castri: double bass Double bass player Furio Di Castri and...
Di Castri / D’Andrea / Elgart
In the photo the double bass player Furio Di Castri, the pianist Franco D'Andrea and the drummer Bill Elgart in 1999. Contribution shared by Furio Di Castri External links: Furio Di Castri Home Page Franco D'Andrea Official Site Bill Elgart Wikipedia
Of Castri/Freso
In the photo the double bass player Furio Di Castri together with the trumpeter Paolo Fresu in 1998. The long collaboration between Furio Di Castri and the trumpeter Paolo Fresu began in the nineties. The two recorded the albums together: "Evening Song" (1991), "Urlo" (1993), "Mythscapes" (1995), "Angel" (1998), "Metamorphosis" (1999), "Fellini" (2000) " Kind of Porgy and Bess” (2002) Contribution...
By Castri / Petrucciani
In the photo the double bass player Furio Di Castri together with the French pianist Michel Petrucciani in New York in 1988. In the eighties Furio Di Castri joined the trio of the French pianist Michel Petrucciani in which the Italian-French drummer Aldo Romano also plays. Alongside Petrucciani, the double bass player participates in tours and concerts...
Furio Di Castri - Turin
In the photo Furio Di Castri playing the fender bass in Turin in 1973. Contribution shared by Furio Di Castri External links: Furio Di Castri Home Page Furio Di Castri The need to go downwards
ISIS
Album dal titolo “Isis” registrato nei giorni 9 & 11 febbraio del 1980 presso gli Studi Emmequattro di Roma e pubblicato dall’etichetta Soul Note. Insieme al leader Enrico Pieranunzi sono presenti, in quartetto e quintetto, tre importanti esponenti del jazz italiano: il contrabbassista Furio Di Castri, il batterista Roberto Gatto, il sassofonista Massimo Urbani e,...
Live At The Big Mama
Album dal titolo “Live At The Big Mama” del sassofonista e compositore Maurizio Giammarco registrato il 26 & 27 gennaio del 2000 al locale “Big Mama” di Roma e pubblicato dall’etichetta Soul Note. Maurizio Giammarco e David Liebman: sassofono tenore e soprano/Furio Di Castri: contrabbasso/Daniel Humair: batteria Collegamenti esterni: Big Mama Home Page Maurizio Giammarco...
Summer - Petrucciani / Di Castri / Romano
Album dal titolo “Estate” del trio del pianista francese Michel Petrucciani formato dal contrabbassista Furio Di Castri e il batterista italiano naturalizzato francese Aldo Romano, registrato il 29 & 30 marzo, 16 aprile e 5 maggio del 1982 agli Studi Forum di Roma e pubblicato dall’etichetta Riviera Records. Il batterista Aldo Romano durante la sua...
Luca Flores Matt Jazz Quintet & Guests
Album dal titolo “Where Extremes Meet” del Luca Flores Matt Jazz Quintet & Guests registrato nei giorni 27 & 28 febbraio del 1987 al Sonic Studio di Roma e pubblicato dall’etichetta Splasc(h) Records. Luca Flores (pianoforte), Alessandro Di Puccio (vibrafono), Massimo Urbani (sax alto), Pietro Tonolo (sax alto), Maurizio Caldura (sax tenore), Furio Di Castri...
Massimo Urbani Trio
Unpublished jam session of the Massimo Urbani Trio in a cellar in Rome in 1979. Massimo Urbani: saxophone Furio Di Castri: double bass Giampaolo Ascolese: drums Contribution shared by Furio Di Castri External links: Furio Di Castri Official Site Giampaolo Ascolese Official Site Massimo Urbani Discography
Lovano / Boltro / Di Castri / Roche - Unpublished recording
Unpublished engraving from 1988 made in the Florence studios. Joe Lovano: saxophone Flavio Boltro: trumpet Furio Di Castri: double bass Manu Roche: drums Contribution shared by Furio Di Castri External links: Joe Lovano – Biography Manu Roche – Biography
Concert - John Taylor Trio in Fermo
Unpublished concert by the trio of British composer and pianist John Taylor in Fermo (Marche) in 1987 John Taylor: piano Furio Di Castri: double bass Tony Oxley: drums Contribution shared by Furio Di Castri External links: John Taylor – Biography John Taylor / Marc Johnson / Joey Baron – Assapheum
Larry Nocella at Murals
Song entitled "Naima" extracted from the unpublished concert held by saxophonist Larry Nocella - one of the most important Italian jazz musicians - at the Murales in Rome in 1978. Larry Nocella: tenor sax Franco D'Andrea: piano Tullio De Piscopo: drums Furio Di Castri: double bass Contribution shared by Furio Di Castri External links: Central Park West · Larry...
Concert at the Big Mama - Chet Baker / Massimo Urbani
Unedited version of the song "There will never be another you" performed by the American trumpeter Chet Baker with guest saxophonist Massimo Urbani at the Big Mama in Rome in 1987. Chet Baker: trumpet Luca Flores: piano Nicola Stilo: flute and guitar Furio Di Castri: double bass Alfred Kramer: drums Special Guest: Massimo Urbani on saxophone Shared contribution...
Concerto – John Taylor Trio a Foligno
Unpublished concert by the British pianist John Taylor in Foligno (Umbria) in 1986. John Taylor: piano Furio Di Castri: double bass Tony Oxley: drums External links: Azimuth John Taylor Ralph Towner – the longest day
Concert - Massimo Urbani in Levanto
Concerto inedito di Massimo Urbani a Levanto (Liguria) nel 1980. Massimo Urbani: sassofono Luigi Bonafede: pianoforte Furio Di Castri: contrabbasso Paolo Pellegatti: batteria Contributo condiviso da Furio Di Castri Collegamenti esterni: Massimo Urbani & Mike Melillo – All the things you are Paolo Pellegatti – Sonny’s Blues Featuring Massimo Urbani – Live
Concerto – Gary Smulyan 4tet al Big Mama
Unpublished concert by the Gary Smulyan quartet at the Big Mama in Rome in 1986. Gary Smulyan: baritone saxophone/Danilo Rea: piano/Furio Di Castri: double bass/Roberto Gatto: drums Contribution shared by Furio Di Castri External links: Gary Smulyan, Baritone Sax – “Take The “A” Train” Bud's Idea -Christian McBride/Billy Drummond/Gary Smulyan
Concerto – Joe Henderson Trio
Audio of the unreleased concert of the Joe Henderson trio in Prato (Pecci Museum) in July 1988. Joe Henderson: tenor saxophone Furio Di Castri: double bass Tony Oxley: drums Contribution shared by Furio Di Castri External links: Tony Oxley – biography Joe Henderson – biography
Larry Nocella – Concerto ad Arona
Unpublished 1978 concert in Arona (Piedmont) by the quartet formed by Larry Nocella (saxophone), Franco D'Andrea (piano), Tullio De Piscopo (drums) and Furio Di Castri (double bass). Contribution shared by Furio Di Castri External links: Larry Nocella – Black Coffee (No Secret album)
Chet Baker Trio – Concerto a Brescia
Unpublished concert by the trio of American trumpeter Chet Baker in Brescia in 1981. Chet Baker: trumpet/Furio Di Castri: double bass/Sean Levitt: guitar Contribution shared by Furio Di Castri External links: Chet Baker, Philip Catherine, Riccardo Del Fra — How Deep is the Ocean
Dedalus
First album of the Dedalus group released in 1973 by the Trident label. Marco Di Castri: guitar and tenor saxophone/Furio Di Castri: fender bass/Fiorenzo Bonansone: electric cello, piano, fender rhodes and synthesizer/Enrico Grosso: drums and percussion/René Aktuela Mantegna: African percussion. External links: Furio Di Castri – Biography
Furio Di Castri
In the photo by Massimo Tarabelli the double bass player Furio Di Castri at the Ancona Jazz Festival. Since the early 1980s, Furio Di Castri has been one of the best double bass players in Europe and has collaborated with prestigious names in international jazz, including Michel Petrucciani, Chet Baker, Kenny Clarke, John Taylor, Joe Henderson, Joe Lovano, Gary Smulyan, Lee Konitz...
By Castri / Clarke
Nella foto il contrabbassista Furio Di Castri e il batterista americano Kenny Clarke al Festival di Messina nel 1982 (non visibili nella foto il pianista Enrico Pieranunzi e il sassofonista Pietro Tonolo). Contributo condiviso da Furio Di Castri Collegamenti esterni: Kenny Clarke – Biografia Kenny Clarke con F. & F. Ambrosetti “No Details”
By Castri/Taylor/Freso
In the photo (by Aldo Venga) the trio formed by trumpeter Paolo Fresu, pianist John Taylor and double bass player Furio Di Castri at the Vignola Jazz Festival in 1992. Contribution shared by Furio Di Castri External links: John Taylor – Biography Evan song (feat Furio Di Castri, John Taylor) Satie (feat. Furio Di Castri, John...
Furio Di Castri and Massimo Urbani
In the first photo the saxophonist Massimo Urbani together with the double bass player Furio Di Castri and Rino Michelino (manager of the Jazz Club of Naples) in 1979. In the second photo the saxophonist Massimo Urbani and the double bass player Furio Di Castri in the Turin suburbs in 1981. Contributions shared by Furio Di Castri External links: MASSIMO URBANI LUIGI BONAFEDE...
Concert: Enrico Rava's Quintet
Audio del concerto del 1988 a Trento del quintetto formato da: Enrico Rava: tromba Joe Henderson: sassofono John Taylor: pianoforte Furio Di Castri: contrabbasso Paul Motian: batteria Contributo condiviso da Furio Di Castri Collegamenti esterni: Paul Motian trio w/Joe Lovano & Bill Frisell – Hamburg, February 23, 1998 Outsider – Enrico Rava
Unknown Voyage - Furio Di Castri
Album entitled "Unknown Voyage" by double bass player Furio Di Castri recorded at Studio Emme in Florence in 1989. Furio Di Castri: double bass / Paul Motian: drums / Franco D'Andrea: piano / Joe Lovano: tenor saxophone. External links: Furio Di Castri – Official Site Joe Henderson Quartet – John Taylor, Furio Di Castri, Paul Motian – Reggio Emilia 1988
Boltro / Di Castri / Roche / Lovano
Nella foto (da sinistra) il trombettista Flavio Boltro, il contrabbassista Furio Di Castri, il batterista Manu Roche e il sassofonista Joe Lovano nel 1988. Collegamenti esterni: Manhu Roche – Flavio Boltro Quartet Fabrizio Bosso & Flavio Boltro Quintet – Everything Happens To Me
Chet Baker: Big Mama 1987
In the photo the American trumpeter Chet Baker together with the double bass player Furio Di Castri and the saxophonist Massimo Urbani (not visible in the photo: Alfred Kramer on drums and Nicola Stilo on flute) in concert at the Big Mama (historic venue located in the Trastevere district of Rome) in 1987. Contribution shared by Furio Di Castri External links: Chet...
Easy to Love - Massimo Urbani
Album entitled "Easy to Love" by saxophonist Massimo Urbani recorded on January 18, 1987 at the Sonic Studio in Rome. To accompany the Roman saxophonist in the album is the rhythm formed by Luca Flores (piano), Roberto Gatto (drums) Furio Di Castri (double bass). The quartet best represents that new generation of musicians who...
To tell the story of Italian Jazz
In the 1980s, the panorama of Italian jazz was varied and offered musicians the opportunity to move freely between past and present, between classic jazz and new trends. These can look without preconceptions to a future still to be written, or perhaps to be deciphered, to try to find, wherever possible, new...
Edinpan – Di Castri/Gatto/Pieranunzi/Farmer
In the first photo (by Massimo Perelli), from the left, the double bass player Furio Di Castri, the drummer Roberto Gatto, the pianist Enrico Pieranunzi and the trumpeter Art Farmer in the Emmequattro Studios in Rome in 1980 during the recording of the album "Isis". In the second photo (by Massimo Perelli), from the left, the drummer Roberto Gatto, the pianist Enrico Pieranunzi and...
Notes - Roberto Gatto
Album entitled "Notes" by drummer Roberto Gatto recorded in 1986 at Soundvideocat in Rome and released by the Gala Records label. The album features: Maurizio Giammarco, Michael Brecker, Enzo Pietropaoli, Francesco Puglisi, Furio Di Castri, Danilo Rea, Rita Marcotulli, Stefano Sabatini, Danilo Terenzi, Flavio Boltro, Umberto Fiorentino and Gegè Telesforo. External links: Roberto Gatto –...
Furio Di Castri & Danilo Rea
Photo of the double bass player Furio Di Castri and the pianist Danilo Rea in 1986 Contribution shared by Furio Di Castri External links: Furio Di Castri Official Site
Quartet Maurizio Giammarco
In the photo (from left) Maurizio Giammarco, Danilo Rea, Furio Di Castri and Roberto Gatto. The acoustic trio formed by saxophonist Maurizio Giammarco in 1980 with Furio Di Castri (double bass) and Roberto Gatto (drums) became a quartet the following year with the arrival of pianist Danilo Rea. With this formation Giammarco records during the month of May of the...
Maurizio Giammarco Trio - A Certain Discourse music
Audio relating to the performance of the Maurizio Giammarco trio in the May 30, 1979 episode of the radio broadcast "Un certo discourse music" by Pasquale Santoli (conducted by Filippo Bianchi and Gino Castaldo). Maurizio Giammarco: tenor and soprano sax/Furio Di Castri: double bass/Roberto Gatto: drums Contribution shared by Maurizio Giammarco External links: Maurizio Giammarco Official Site
Repubblica - Quercia del Tasso Festival
Article appeared in the newspaper "Repubblica" (September 1981) concerning the Quercia del Tasso Jazz Festival on the Gianicolo Hill in Rome. Among the musicians who performed in that edition of the Roman review were: the Roman pianist Enrico Pieranunzi (with the quartet formed by Massimo Urbani, Enzo Pietropaoli, Giampaolo Ascolese), the American guitarist Pat Metheny (with the 80/81 project). ..
