“Shows a remarkable maturity and an equally important ability to assimilate and rework, which are the axioms the creative process”.
(Musica Jazz, 22/04/2020)
“Lorenzo is a wonderful pianist. He has great command of melody and harmony, his lines are intricate and express the harmonies well and include interesting rhythmic ideas.” (Johannes Weidenmüller)
“You are a great improviser, just keep doing what you are doing and put your emotions into everything you play.” (Melissa Aldana)
“I really like the way you spend so much time listening to the band, searching for your input needed in that moment.” (Adrian Mears)
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Lorenzo Vitolo, born in Naples in 1998.
He begins studying piano at eight years old, at ten he begins his studies in classical piano in the conservatory of Naples and at eleven he starts studying jazz.
In April 2017 he obtains his Bachelor’s Degree in classical piano and in 2018 he obtains his Master’s Degree in Pianoforte and Musical Disciplines with full marks, honors and special mention at the Conservatorio San Pietro a Majella in Naples.
In July 2020 he obtains the Degree “New York Jazz Master” in the Prince Claus Conservatorium in Groningen, Holland, and as a part of this course, he studies for a semester in New York, until the end of January 2020.
In October 2021 he joins the international project “Focusyear Band 21”, composed of selected musicians from all over the world.
This program allows him to share the stage with international musicians such as Miguel Zenon, Lionel Loueke, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Jeff Ballard, Malcom Braff, David Virelles, Jorge Rossi, Django Bates, Pablo Held, Ben van Gelder, Ingrid Jensen, Guillermo Klein.
He participates as a finalist in the Parmigiani Jazz Piano Solo Competition 2017, held in Montreux (CH) in July 2017.
He collaborates as pianist with the Generations Big Band, under the direction of the great conductor and composer Maria Schneider, sharing the stage with international musicians including Gary Versace, in two concerts as part of the Generations18 International Jazz Festival in Frauenfeld (CH).
On that occasion he is selected to be part of the Generation Unit 2018 project, with which he goes on tour in August 2019 in Switzerland and Germany. In November 2019 he performs in a series of solo piano concerts at the “Piano Off Stage” as part of the Lucerne Festival 2019.
During his period of activity, he also shares the stage on other occasions with Adrian Mears, Rogerio Boccato, Steve Nelson, and Billy Hart.
He is the winner of the 3rd Prize and the Best Rhythm Changes Performance Award of the UNISA International Competition 2020 in Pretoria, South Africa.
He plays in many clubs in Italy and Europe with different groups as leader or side-man.
On January 31, 2020 he released his first album as leader recorded in trio Changing Chapes, published by the prestigious Dutch record label Challenge Records.
He collaborates in the realization of other record projects such as:
Bosque (Focusyear 2021), released by Neuklang Records on 21/05/2021
Distancia (Rodrigo Almonte), published by Odradek Records on 29/10/2021
PerDido (Adele Pardi), published by Barnum on 13/09/2019
Original Riffs and Double Memories (Carmelo Coglitore), published by Parole Srl on 06/05/2019
Pytakor (Pietro Corbascio), published by Angapp Music on 11/02/2022
Awards
3rd Prize and the Prize for the Best Performance of Rhythm Changes 14th UNISA International Jazz Piano Competition 2020 (SA).
1th Prize Lucerne School of Music – International Jazz Piano Competition 2019 (CH).
1th Prize Leiden Jazz Award 2019 (NL).
2nd Prize “Premio Internazionale Massimo Urbani” 2017 (IT).
1st Prize of the Italian Conservatories National Festival competition 2017 (IT).
1st Prize and Prize Audience, for soloists of the competion CHICCO BETTINARDI 2014 (IT).
1st Prize “Youth in Jazz” in JANULA JAZZ FESTIVAL 2014 (IT).
Conad Jazz Contest 2013, in trio (IT)
In 2010, 2011 and 2013, winner of two second prizes and a first prize in some competitions of
classical music.
SCHOLARSHIPS:
Selected as pianist of Seven Steps, the group of the best students of Nuoro Jazz 2013:
Scholarship winner for Nuoro Jazz at the 2013 Massimo Urbani Award
Scholarships for re-enrollment in Nuoro Jazz and Siena Jazz 2014 seminars.
In 2018 he received a four-year scholarship from the prestigious New School in New York.
Performances at jazz festivals and exhibitions
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Berklee / Umbria Jazz Clinics Group Award 2012 Perugia (IT)
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Conad Jazz Contest in Umbria Jazz 2013 Perugia (IT)
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Piano City Naples 2013/14/15/16/17/18 Naples (IT)
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Time in Jazz 2014 Berchidda (IT)
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Nuoro Jazz 2014 Nuoro (IT)
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Conad Jazz Contest Preview in Umbria Jazz 2015
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Piacenza Jazz Fest 2015 Piacenza (IT)
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Andria “In” Jazz 2015 Andria (IT)
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Christmas in the caves in 2015 (Castellana’s Caves) (IT)
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Pozzuoli Jazz Festival 2016/2017 Pozzuoli (IT)
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EuropaFest 2017 in Bucharest (RO)
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San Leo Music Fest 2017 (IT)
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Jazzalguer 2018 (IT)
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Festival Jazz Saint Germain des Prés 2018 (F)
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Generations 18 International JazzFestival in Frauenfeld(CH)
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Jazz the Gast 2019 (NL)
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JazzTM 2019 (RO)
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Jazz in The Park 2019 (RO)
- Lucerne Festival “Piano off Stages 2019”
- Jonio Jazz Festival 20
- Festival Amore & Rabbia 20
- OffBeat Jazz Festival Basel (CH)
- Eivissa Jazz Festival 21 (ES)
- Asse Jazz 21 (ES)
- Jazz Fest Podillia 21 (UA)
- Badia de Portmany Festival 21 (ES)
- Nigran Jazz 21 (ES)
ATTEND MANY WORKSHOPS WITH
Brad Mehldau, Alex Sipiagin, Mark Turner, Larry Grenadier,
Mark Skylansky, Ron Savage, John Damien, Pascal Contet,
Kenny Werner, John Taylor, Franco d’Andrea, Stefano Battaglia,
Marco Tamburini, Pietro Tonolo, Miguel Zenon, Avishai Cohen,
Roberto Cipelli, Ettore Fioravanti, Giovanni Agostino Frassetto,
Bruno Tommaso, Luca Bragalini, Antonio Ciacca, Achille Succi,
Giovanni Falzone, David Virelles, Jeff Ballard, David Binney,
Dave Holland, Dado Moroni, Stefano Bagnoli, Paolino della Porta,
Enrico Merlin, Barry Harris, Roberto Gatto, Aaron Goldberg,
Gregory Huchchinson, Jerry Weldon, Peter Martin, Jason Lindner,
Adrian Mears, Maria Schneider, Donny McCaslin, Nate Wood,
Jason Lindner, Jonathan Maron, Marc Copland, Victor Gould,
Rossano Sportiello, Sullivan Fortner, Donald Vega, Ari Hoening
Melissa Aldana and many many others.