Massimo Urbani, saxophonist and composer (1957-1993) was one of the most important musicians in the history of Italian jazz for his extraordinary expressive and technical skills, considered by many to be a genius of contemporary music.
Massimo Urbani takes his first steps in the Roman jazz scene playing at Fokstudio in Rome, where he is introduced by saxophonist Mario Schiano and double bass player Marcello Melis. Between 1972 and 1973 he followed the jazz course held by Giorgio Gaslini at the Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome as an external student. In the same period he takes part in the recording of the albums "Sud" by Mario Schiano, "Message" and "Favola Pop" by mentor Giorgio Gaslini. In the early 1970s Urbani joined Enrico Rava's trio, with bassist Calvin Hill and drummer Nestor Astarita. Between 1977 and 1979 the Roman saxophonist is still with Enrico Rava, this time with the formations that accompany the trumpeter on the tour in Europe, respectively the quintet with Bobo Stenson, Palle Danielsson and Jon Christensen and the trio with Aldo Romano and J.F Jenny Clarke. Following this experience, Urbani recorded his first album as a leader, "360° Aeutopia", together with pianist Ron Burton, double bass player Cameron Browne and drummer Beaver Harris.
In the eighties he collaborated with the pianist Enrico Pieranunzi, with whom he shares a close bond of friendship and esteem. You participate in the records of the Roman pianist, "Isis" and "Autumn Song" (recorded live with the Space Jazz Trio on November 2, 1984 at the Berlin Philharmonie as part of the Berlin Jazz Festival).
Nello stesso periodo registra il disco “Dedication To A.A & J.C – Max’s Mood”, dedicato ai suoi idoli Albert Ayler e John Coltrane. Inoltre collabora col pianista Luke Flowers on the album "Easy to Love", with pianist Mike Melillo in "Duet Improvisation for Yardbird", a tribute to Charlie Parker, to whom Urbani has often been compared for his approach to alto sax, and he recorded the albums "Out of Nowhere" and “The Blessing” in quartet with pianist Danilo Rea, double bass player Giovanni Tommaso and drummer Roberto Gatto.
Essential discography: Jazz a Confronto 13 (1975 – Horo Records), 360° Aeutopia (1979 – Red Records), Dedication To A. A & J.C – Max’s Mood (1980 – Red Records), Easy to Love (1987 – Red Records), Duet Improvvisation for Yardbird (1987 – Philology), Live at Belzebù (1988 – Philology), Out of nowhere (1990 – Splasc(H) Record), The Blessing (1993 – Red Records), Max Leaps in (2000 – Philology)
Jazz Music – What's happening in Rome
Article by Nico Valerio entitled "What happens in Rome" appeared in the magazine Musica Jazz (March 1975) The article gives an overview of the recording and concert novelties of the Rome jazz scene. The "Making Music" collective of Patrizia Scascitelli and Mario Schiano, with Maurizio Giammarco, Roberto Della Grotta,...
Jazz Music – Interview with Massimo Urbani
Mario Luzzi's interview with saxophonist Massimo Urbani appeared in the magazine Musica Jazz (February 1975) The interview with Massimo Urbani was carried out in the recording studios of Rome during the recording of the Roman saxophonist's first solo album for the series "Jazz a Comparison" of the Horo label, of the producer Aldo Sinesio, with the bassist Calvin Hill and the drummer...
Quartetto di Enrico Pieranunzi & Bob Berg
Unpublished concert by the quartet of pianist Enrico Pieranunzi with guest saxophonist Bob Berg on 5 August 1982 in Piazza Municipio Enrico Pieranunzi: piano/Enzo Pietropaoli: double bass/Roberto Gatto: drums/Massimo Urbani: alto sax/Bob Berg: tenor sax The concert brings together four of the most important musicians of the Italian jazz scene, Pieranunzi, Pietropaoli, Gatto, Urbani with the American saxophonist Bob...
Jazz Music – Macerata Festival
Article (by Giuseppe Dalla Bona) appeared in the magazine Musica Jazz (October 1977) on the 1977 Macerata Jazz Festival The Macerata Jazz Festival is organized on 22, 23, 24 July 1977 at the Arena Sferisterio. The bill saw the presence of various Italian and foreign musicians: the trio of pianist Enrico Pieranunzi with Bruno...
Top Jazz in Italy
Album entitled "Top Jazz in Italy" containing the unreleased recording of the concert organized by the magazine "Musica Jazz" at the Teatro Ciak in Milan on March 7, 1983 with the soloists and formations that had collected the highest number of votes in the "Top Jazz" referendum organized by the magazine among critics, sector journalists, columnists...
Massimo Urbani – Engraving “Flying”
In the photo the saxophonist Massimo Urbani during the recording session at the Forum Studies in Rome of the album "Flying" by the singer Carla Marcotulli, in March 1986. The Roman saxophonist Massimo Urbani attended the composer's jazz course in the two-year period 1972/73 and pianist Giorgio Gaslini at the Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome, together with...
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. ..
Message - Giorgio Gaslini
Album entitled "Message" by Giorgio Gaslini recorded in March 1973 at Studio 7 in Milan. The staff led by the pianist and composer Giorgio Gaslini for the recording of the disc includes several young musicians who in the two-year period 1972/73 attend the jazz course assigned to him at the Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome: Massimo Urbani,...
360 ° Aeutopia - Massimo Urbani
Album entitled "360° Aeutopia" by Massimo Urbani recorded on 20 June 1979 at Barigozzi Studio in Milan and released by the Red Record label Massimo Urbani: alto sax/Ron Burton: pianist/Cameron Brown: double bass/Beaver Harris: drummer In following his solo debut with the album "Jazz a Confronto 13" (recorded for Aldo Sinesio's Horo label), the saxophonist...
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
Massimo Urbani in Turin
In the photo the alto saxophonist Massimo Urbani in Turin. Contribution shared by Carla Marcotulli External links: Massimo Urbani – Naima Massimo Urbani – Alfie
Poster - Club "Il Panino"
Nella foto la locandina di presentazione delle jazz session in programma al club “Il Panino” nell’ambito delle edizione del 1982 del Festival di Umbria Jazz. Contributo condiviso da Enrico Pieranunzi Collegamenti esterni: Enrico Pieranunzi Official Site I Grandi del Jazz Chet Baker & Nicola Stilo Teche Rai
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...
Duets For Yardbird
Album entitled "Duets For Yardbird" by the duo formed by saxophonist Massimo Urbani and pianist Mike Melillo, recorded on March 23, 1987 at the Malleus Studio in Recanati (Marche) and released by Paolo Piangiarelli's Philology label. In 1987 the producer Paolo Piangiarelli founded the Philology label. In the same year he calls the Roman alto saxophonist Massimo Urbani and ...
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,...
Pop Fable - Giorgio Gaslini Ensemble
Album entitled "Favola Pop - Reportage from the Island of Utopia" by the ensemble of pianist and composer Giorgio Gaslini, published by the "Produttori Associati" label in 1973. In recording the album Giorgio Gaslini makes use of young musicians who in the two-year period 1972-73 they attend the Jazz course he held at the Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome: Patrizia Scascitelli, Eugenio...
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
Massimo Urbani Quartet - Live At The Supino Jazz Festival
Album entitled "Live At The Supino Jazz Festival 1987" by the quartet of saxophonist Massimo Urbani formed by Luca Flores (piano), Giampaolo Ascolese (drums) and Pino Sallusti (double bass), released by the Philology label in 2002. External links: Cherokee (Live) Massimo Urbani Quartet
Urban / Odorici / Atti
In the photo of Carlo Pieroni (from the left) the saxophonists Massimo Urbani, Piero Odorici and Carlo Atti. Between the end of the eighties and the beginning of the nineties, the tenor saxophonist Carlo Atti collaborated with the alto saxophonist Massimo Urbani, participating in various jazz festivals and reviews around Italy. With the "New Sextet...
Momento Sera - Opening Music Inn
Articolo di Marco Molendini apparso sul “Momento Sera” (quotidiano con sede a Roma) riguardante l’inaugurazione del jazz club Music Inn avvenuta il 24 gennaio del 1974. In occasione dell’apertura del Music Inn in Largo dei Fiorentini a Roma si esibiscono i jazzistici: Gianni Basso, Oscar Valdambrini, Dino Piana, Renato Sellani, Alessio Urso e Franco Tonani....
Enrico Pieranunzi Trio and Massimo Urbani
Film of the concert of Enrico Pieranunzi's trio with guest Massimo Urbani in Barletta (Puglia). Enrico Pieranunzi: piano Enzo Pietropaoli: double bass Giampaolo Ascolese: drums Massimo Urbani: alto saxophone Contribution shared by Enzo Pietropaoli External links: Enrico Pieranunzi Trio – Autumn Song
Massimo Urbani with Enrico Rava
In the photo (by Roberto Masotti) saxophonist Massimo Urbani together with trumpeter Enrico Rava in concert. During the tour in Italy in 1972 Enrico Rava meets in Rome a young talent of Italian jazz, Massimo Urbani. Impressed by his way of playing, the trumpeter decides to let him join the formation that accompanies him in concert....
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...
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
Massimo Urbani - The Urbisaglia Concert
Album entitled "The Urbisaglia Concert" by saxophonist Massimo Urbani recorded at the Teatro Comunale di Urbisaglia (Macerata) on November 24, 1984 and released by the Philology label in 1994. Massimo Urbani: alto sax/Roberto Giolito: bass/Leo Angeletti: drums/ Carlo Gargioni: piano External links: There Will Never Be Another You – Massimo Urbani Quartet
Massimo Urbani Quartet - Max Leaps in
Album dal titolo “Max Leaps in” del quartetto di Massimo Urbani registrato al Teatro Rossini di Civitanova Marche il 24 settembre del 1983 e pubblicato dall’etichetta Philology nel 2000. Massimo Urbani: sax alto/Massimo Moriconi: contrabbasso/Tullio De Piscopo: batteria/Mike Melillo: pianoforte Collegamenti esterni: Massimo Urbani & Mike Melillo – All the things you are
Jazz in Comparison 13 – Massimo Urbani
Album recorded by saxophonist Massimo Urbani for the "Jazz a Confronto" series published by the Horo label of the producer Aldo Sinesio. The album was recorded on November 12, 1974 at the Titania Studios in Rome. Massimo Urbani: alto sax/Calvin Hill: bass/Nestor Astarita: drums External links: Massimo Urbani Live at Capolinea Club Milan 1980 Massimo Urbani in the...
Sabatini / Fratini / Urbani / Ascolese
In the photo (from left) Stefano Sabatini, Marco Fratini, Massimo Urbani and Giampaolo Ascolese at the Music Inn in Rome. Contribution shared by Stefano Sabatini External links: Stefano Sabatini – Biography
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...
Concert - Pieranunzi / Urbani / Pietropaoli
In the photo the pianist Enrico Pieranunzi, the saxophonist Massimo Urbani and the double bass player Enzo Pietropaoli in concert in 1983. Contribution shared by Enrico Pieranunzi External links: Enrico Pieranunzi Official Site Enzo Pietropaoli Official Site
Pieranunzi / Tommaso / Gatto
Article in the weekly "Gioia" (1983) on the episode of the program "Blitz" (broadcast on Sundays on the second Rai network) dedicated to the winners of the 1982 "Top Jazz" organized by the magazine "Musica Jazz". In the photo (from right): the pianist Franco D'Andrea, Gianni Minà, the pianist and composer Giorgio Gaslini, Arrigo Polillo, the pianist Enrico Pieranunzi, the...
Ciao2001 - Massimo Urbani concert
Article appeared in the musical magazine "Ciao2001" of April 1982. The article pointing to Rome as the "cradle of Jazz" of that period focuses on the movement of young Roman jazz musicians and in particular on the saxophonist Massimo Urbani in concert in the capital together with the pianist Rita Marcotulli, the drummer Gianpaolo Ascolese and the double bass player Enzo Pietropaoli. Shared contribution...
Dedication to A.A & J. C.- Max’s Mood – Massimo Urbani
Album dal titolo ” Dedication to A. A. & J. C. – Max’s Mood ” del sassofonista Massimo Urbani registrato al Music Center di Bologna nel 1980 con il contrabbassista Furio Di Castri, il batterista Paolo Pellegatti e il pianista Luigi Bonafede. L’album viene prodotto da Sergio Veschi e Alberto Alberti. Quest’ultimo fonda nel 1958...
Live At JazzBo ’90
Album entitled "Live At JazzBo '90" recorded live on 23 February 1990 at the Multisala Auditorium in Bologna as part of the JazzBo '90 Festival and released by the Philology label in 2006 Franco D'Andrea: piano/Enrico Rava: trumpet , flugelhorn/Massimo Urbani: alto sax/Giovanni Tommaso: double bass/Aldo Romano: drums External links: Massimo Urbani /Franco D'Andrea trio Rava D'Andrea For Bix...
Saint Louis - Massimo Urbani
In the photo (by Andrea Muti) the saxophonist Massimo Urbani in concert at the Saint Louis Jazz Club in Rome in 1981. Photos taken from the book "Jazz moment" by Adriano Mazzoletti, Marco Molendini and Stefano Mastruzzi External links: Trailer Doc Massimo Urbani – "The man who spoke jazz" Massimo Urbani - Lover Man
Jazz Music - Montemario Jazz Collective
Articles (signed respectively by Aldo Di Russo and Giacomo Pellicciotti) appeared in the magazine "Musica Jazz (1973) concerning the "Collettivo Jazz" and "Musicom", associations of young musicians active in the early seventies with the aim of promoting jazz in the suburbs and popular neighborhoods of Rome and better conditions for music operators. One of...
Rava / Urbani - Concert at the RAI
Film of the concert of Enrico Rava's quintet in the RAI studios. Enrico Rava: trumpet/ Massimo Urbani: alto sax/Bobo Stenson: piano/Palle Danielsson: double bass/Jon Christensen: drums. During the tour in Italy, Enrico Rava met the young Roman saxophonist Massimo Urbani. Impressed by his way of playing he decides to let him join his group with which he starts ...
South - Mario Schiano
Album entitled "Sud" by Mario Schiano recorded in 1973 at Studio 38 in Rome and produced by Vincenzo Micocci for the Tomorrow label (subsidiary label of RCA). The formation that accompanied the saxophonist was composed of: Massimo Urbani, Eugenio Colombo, Tony Formichella, Roberto Della Grotta, Tommaso Vittorini, Maurizio Giammarco, Bruno Tommaso, Mandrake, Gaetano...
Enrico Pieranunzi Trio feat. Massimo Urbani - Live At The Jazz Days '84
Album entitled Enrico Pieranunzi Trio feat. Massimo Urbani - Live at the Jazz Days '84. The disc, released in 2004 by the YVP Records label, contains the concert of 2 November 1984 by the Enrico Pieranunzi trio with guest Massimo Urbani at the Berlin Philharmonie. Enrico Pieranunzi: piano/Enzo Pietropaoli: double bass/Fabrizio Sferra: drums/ Massimo Urbani: saxophone...
Di Castri/Urbani/Gatto
In the photo (from left) the double bass player Furio Di Castri, the saxophonist Massimo Urbani and the drummer Roberto Gatto in a moment of pause during the recording sessions in 1980 of the album "Isis" (album by the quartet of the pianist Enrico Pieranunzi, with guest American trumpeter Art Farmer). Contribution shared by Furio Di Castri External links: Urbani/Bonafede/Di...
Massimo Urbani & Enzo Pietropaoli
In the first photo, saxophonist Massimo Urbani and double bass player Enzo Pietropaoli during a concert at the Music Inn in Rome. In the second photo, saxophonist Massimo Urbani and double bass player Enzo Pietropaoli in Caserta Vecchia in 1982, before the concert of the quartet of pianist Enrico Pieranunzi as part of the "Settembre al Borgo" review. Contribution shared by...
Berlin – Urbani/Pieranunzi
In the photo the saxophonist Massimo Urbani and the pianist Enrico Pieranunzi in Berlin. On November 2, 1984 Enrico Pieranunzi performed at the Berlin Jazz Festival with the trio formed by Enzo Pietropaoli and Fabrizio Sferra, with Massimo Urbani as a guest. The live performance will be released as an album by the German label YVP under the title "Enrico...
Jazz Club Panino – Urbani/Pietropaoli
In the photo the saxophonist Massimo Urbani together with the double bass player Enzo Pietropaoli and the French guitarist Christian Escoudè in a jam session at the jazz club "Panino" in Perugia in the early 1980s. Together with them (not visible in the photo) the pianist Enrico Pieranunzi and the drummer Giampaolo Ascolese were present in the Perugia jazz club. Shared contribution...
Berlino – Space Jazz Trio & Massino Urbani
In the photo the “Space Jazz Trio” together with Massimo Urbani in Berlin in 1984. The Space Jazz Trio – formed by Enrico Pieraunzi on piano, Enzo Pietropaoli on double bass and Fabrizio Sferra on drums – with guest saxophonist Massimo Urbani, perform on 2 November 1984 at the Berlin Philharmonie as part of the Berlin...
