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Maurizio Spista
www.mauriziospistadrummer.com/about bio
About Me
Maurizio Spista is a renowned Professional Italian - American Drummer - arranger - composer , Teacher,
with over 40 years of experience in the international music scene. His career stands out for an intense live
activity on tour, studio recordings and collaborations
with several National and International renowned Artists, Musicians, record labels and music
productions, which have led him to play on the main stages in the world and recording studios in
Europe, UAE UNITED EMIRATE, Nord Africa - Senegal and United States. USA
Master's Degree in Drums & Percussion Instruments at the STATE Conservatory of Music, G.Martucci-
Salerno (Italy), Graduaded in Jazz Music performance - jazz studies at the STATE Conservatory of Music,
San Pietro a Majella, Naples (Italy), Educational Teacher Trainer degree and and Graduate in accounting
and bookeeping . He has obtained the prestigious US Music Teacher Certification at Berklee College of
Music, a world-class institute of Music Education and Music Performance
In addition to his activity as a drummer, he teach and trains new generations of drummers and musicians
at Long Island W. College in New York (CUNY - College University Of New York) and from the next
academic year 2025/2026 he will also be Head Director of the Department of Music at the
aforementioned College.
Over the course of his long career he has developed a creative and personal musical language, the result
of a solid technical training and a tireless passion for rhythmic exploration. His versatility allows him to
move with ease between different genres, from jazz to jazz funk Fusion, Pop,Rock ,soul, Funk, blues to
Neo jazz ,Afro- Latin jazz , Etno world music and Experimental music, collaborating with famous artists
,musicians and young emerging talent
Maurizio Spista's passion for music began at a young age, leading him to pursue a career as an pro
Drummer, Teacher , Arranger, Composer , of appreciated versatility and experience.With very long , solid
experience and dedication to his craft, Maurizio has honed his skills and is committed to sharing his
knowledge with students of all levels. His unique approach to music education, drumming classes,
arrangement, and composition sets him apart in the industry.
Maurizio's expertise and genuine love for music make him a trusted and respected figure in the music
community.Over the years, along his professional career, he played and
collaborated on tour and studio with producers, musicians and reference artists, deepening,
experimenting and practicing various genres of music
He has been studying and collaborating with Enrico Lucchini and attending various ,
clinics, stage-masterclasses held by Steve Gadd, Chad Smith, Billy Cobham, Peter Erskine, Vinnie
Colaiuta, Greg Bissonette, Steve Smith,B. Blade and John Riley.
From 1980 on wards he began his professional activity working and collaborating on
tours and recording studios with various famous Italian national and artists including Fausto
Leali,Riccardo Fogli, Francesco Calabrese, Dori Ghezzi, Tiziana Rivale, Lena Biolcati, Mia Martini, Nuovi
Angeli, Ricchi e Poveri , Rocky Roberts , Aleandro Baldi, Righeira, Loredana Bertè,Ivana Spain , Antonella
Ruggiero of Matia Bazar ,Jenny B.nd International Artist including Tanya Houston, Belen Thomas, Gloria
Gaynor, Norma Jordan, Dee Dee Jackson , Sarah Gillespie , Cheryl Porter, Karl Potter and many more
He has participated in various television shows among which “Sotto le stelle”(Rai
Uno),”Grand Prize TV” (Rai Tre), “Fantastico 2 (Rai Uno with Pippo Baudo), “Saturday
Il mercato del sabato “ (Rai Uno with Luisa Rivelli), “Beauty at the Beach “ Bellezze al
bagno ( Mediaset - Rete 4, with G.Mastrota and and Eather Parisi), “Piacere Rai Uno”, and “ Festival di
Napoli”.
He collaborated with “Tiger film company – Cecchi Gori production “ for the movies
soundtracks including “Perdiamoci di vista”, directed by Carlo Verdone.
He has written music and soundtracks for “Over Travel” Rai documentaries production
and he is author The author of music for Theater works including the Music Comedy “Ritorno ad
Atlantide”. awarded at the International Music comedy competition in italy.
In 1996 he wrote and arranged LP/ CD songs of the singer of Algerian origin “
Hisabel Dhazir, welcomed by French- Algerian critics as the best ethnic-european songwriter.
In 1997 he performed with the orchestra, directed by M° Martelli, accompanied by
various artists including Renzo Arbore and Marisa Laurito, Demis Roussous, Gloria
Gaynor and others.
In 2000 he has participated in the Sound's Good Heineken Jazz Festival with George
Evans band, where he had the opportunity to play with Tommy Hunt, Steve
Grossman, Bill Thomas, Jay Clayton, Paul Orta, Tanika, Tikarham, Bill Laswell, Jimmy
Owens, Ray Barreto, Triloku Gurtu, and many more
In the same year he founded the project “ U.F.J - Urban-Funky Jazz Project”,
beginning a long collaboration of 10 years with Karl Potter, a renowed New Jersey percussionist, ''The
Icon of Etno-world jazz groove''
He has collaborated with various productions and record labels such as “Dingo Music”
” Baby records “, “Sound Record”, “Diddle Studios”, “Top Record”, “Free Sound”, CBS
”Milano, MUsic, MD record CSM sound ,Replay Recording Studio etc.
With the educational-cultural project “The Percussion : Djembè - Marimba - drum set “
performs didactic activities by holding Masterclass ,seminars and concerts at Public schools & Cultural
Institute
He was involved in the artistic and educational direction of the Musical Cultural
Association “Art Music Academy”, where he was the president, also curating artistic and
cultural projects, in particular with the “Sunu Art Spectacle Associations” and “Golf
North Production” of Dakar -Senegal which includes in them the most important
North Africans musicians and percussionists, direct descendants of the GRIOT caste, of the ancient and
prestigious Sing Sing family.
From 2008 to 2011 he was Head teacher of Department Drums & Percussion and
Artistic Director of MD Music Academy - Angri, Salerno - Italy
In 2012/2013, besides the various engagements and artistic projects, he interacts with
the major exponents of the AFRO music of the “Mbalax” genre produced by “Youssou N'Dour”.
From 2014 to 2016 he has been a Drum Teacher Specialist at British
International School of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - UAE
in 2017 , he moved in New York where currently he live teach and play jazz funk fusion, Funk, soul ,
sharing jazz projects as jazz organ trio with Akiko Tzuruga (Hammond jazz Organ) and Vinny Valentino (
El. guitar ), with various professional musicians and Jazz , soul funk singers among which Daralyn Jay ,
Elian Amher , Dianne Kirkl and other artists and Musicians of NY Jazz and internartional scene
Lately he is started collaborating with professional studio recordings \, labels and Music production (
Universal - Warner bross- Capitol Virgin ) and promoting a his jazz fusion
Project”Maurizio Spista Evolution 4et” a new realize Album recorded with well Known NY Musicians (
Vinny Valentino - Guitar, John Benitez - Bass and Bob Franceschini - Sax )
My Jazz Story
My House Concert Story
Birdland is one of the best Jazz club New York City. I play often at Birdland and Birdlan theater with my jazz -jazz fusion project or jazz organ trio and other lineup musiucian and jazz singers .Birdland Is The Jazz Corner in the world where you can listen and meet great renowened musician and international artists .
