Home » Jazz Musicians » Antonio Farao

Antonio Farao

“I'm not often surprised by the recordings of musicians the way I was overwhelmed the first time I heard Antonio Farao' on one of his recent CD's. What amazed me was what I felt inside of me. There is so much warmth, conviction and power to his playing. I was immediately attracted to his harmonic conception, the joy of his rhythms and swing feel and the grace and ingenuity of his melodic improvisational lines. Antonio is not only a fine pianist but a great one.” (Herbie Hancock)

Originally from Rome (Class of 1965), Faraò’s musical sensibility together with a remarkable knack for melodic improvisation, have contributed to his reputation as one of the most respected pianists in the International scene. Faraò’s style is unique: flawless technical proficiency, unbridled creativity and exhilarating vitality, and remarkable rhythmic skills.

Antonio Faraò was born into an extremely musical family. His mother was a known painter, his father was a jazz drummer. However, both of them had a great affinity and introduced him to the jazz music. By means of that he grew up listening to musicians such as: Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Due Ellington, Frank Sinatra and last but not least Ella Fitzgerald. Because of the parent’s life pioneering Antonio Faraò gained the love for swing from them. First influenced by that style today’s influences are different. At the age of 6 he started playing vibraphone which was followed by drum playing. Finally he began to play piano and he joined piano classes with Adriano Giustina and Riccardo Risaliti at a classical school. It was the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory where Antonio Faraò studied for a degree. The completion of all studies was done after a period of 8 years.

Based on his early interest in Afro-American jazz music Antonio Faraò had idols such as Oscar Peterson and Errol Gardner until he discovered musicians like McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarret, Bil Evans, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker and Thelonious Monk. Just to name the most important examples. Among the musicians influencing him there also is to mention John Williams, composer of the famous film music for ET, Stars Wars Indiana Jones … The “Jazz four Roses Competition Price” was awarded to him at the Ciak Theatre in Milano in 1991. The most prestigious “Competition of jazz piano Martial Solal” a competition of the city Paris which takes place only every ten years invited a small number of top international piano talents. Antonio Faraò as one of those talents won that extraordinary competition in 1998.

Read more

Tags

1
Live Review

Antonio Faraò / Stéphane Belmondo Quartet at Le Duc des Lombards

Read "Antonio Faraò / Stéphane Belmondo Quartet at Le Duc des Lombards" reviewed by Nathalie Tamara Freson


Antonio Faraò / Stéphane Belmondo QuartetLe Duc des Lombards Paris, France July 18, 2025 As expected, it was full house at Paris' iconic jazz club, Le Duc du Lombard for the Antonio Faraò-Stéphane Belmondo concert which featured two powerhouse musicians who didn't disappoint as they gave the audience over an hour of steamy music. Pianist virtuoso Antonio Faraò needs no introduction; his talent speaks volume. And that night he was ...

1
Radio & Podcasts

Tom Harrell, Antonio Farao, The Fury, Al-Qasar

Read "Tom Harrell, Antonio Farao, The Fury, Al-Qasar" reviewed by Cheryl K.


During this week's two-hour program of Jazz and improvised music, trumpeter Tom Harrell, pianist Antonio Farao, vocalist Gergana Velinova, Giant Step Arts artists The Fury and trumpeter Jason Palmer, Al-Qasar, and holiday selections from guitarists Margaret Slovak and Chris Maresh and keyboardist Robert Glasper. Playlist Tadd Dameron “Romas" from Mating Call (Prestige) 6:51 Tom Harrell “Heliotrope" from Alternate Summer (HighNote) 4:11 David Friesen “One Last Time" from A Shining Light Through (Origin) 5:46 Margaret Slovak and Chris Maresh ...

12
Album Review

Antonio Farao: Tributes

Read "Tributes" reviewed by Neil Duggan


There is an old saying that you should judge a person by the company that they keep. If that is true of musicians, then Italian pianist Antonio Faraò is highly regarded. For his sixth trio outing, he is joined by bassist John Patitucci, who achieved worldwide acclaim for his work with Chick Corea's Elektric Band and Akoustic Band. He has also appeared on albums with Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock and Michael Brecker. To complete the dream trio, Faraò adds drummer ...

1
In Pictures

Claudio Fasoli & Antonio Faraò Duo at Milestone Piacenza

Read "Claudio Fasoli & Antonio Faraò Duo at Milestone Piacenza" reviewed by Danilo Codazzi


A collection of photos from the Claudio Fasoli & Antonio Faraò Duo concert at Milestone in Piacenza on April 13, 2024 featuring Claudio Fasoli, and Antonio Faraò. ...

Interview

Antonio Faraò, l'eklektiko

Read "Antonio Faraò, l'eklektiko" reviewed by Daniele Vogrig


In alcuni casi la produzione di un disco può rappresentare un momento di svolta nella carriera di un musicista, non solo da un punto di vista musicale ma anche a livello puramente espressivo. Eklektik è l'ultimo album di Antonio Faraò e a buon diritto può essere considerato un sapiente concentrato di fusion, capace di trascendere generi e stili musicali, realizzato con la collaborazione di artisti trasversali del calibro di Snoop Dogg, Marcus Miller, Manu Katché, Bireli Lagrene, Didier Lockwood, Krayzie ...

Album Review

Antonio Faraò: Boundaries

Read "Boundaries" reviewed by Maurizio Zerbo


Le sontuose armonizzazioni, e la vivace forza improvvisativa sono i punti di forza di Boundaries, l'ultimo CD di Antonio Faraò. Soprattutto nei due standard interpretati, il pianista romano si abbandona al piacere di suonare nel tentativo di sfuggire alla mera dimostrazione di virtuosismo, offrendone una rilettura personale, carica di espressività e feeling jazzistico. “Maiden Voyage" è così sottoposta alla lente di ingrandimento di una ricomposizione istantanea, per dilatarne tempi e dinamiche. In primo piano una felice ...

5
Album Review

Antonio Farao American Quartet: Evan

Read "Evan" reviewed by Bruce Lindsay


Pianist and composer Antonio Faraò has a wealth of experience in jazz, beginning as a youngster in his native Italy and developing through a career that extends over 30 years. Evan, dedicated to his young son, is Faraò's twelfth album as leader. The seven originals and two covers are credited to Antonio Faraò American Quartet. The band's title reflects the fact that the recording took place in the USA and gives an indication of Faraò's musical compatriots--bassist Ira Coleman, saxophonist ...

Read more articles
“Faraò has sidemen to die for, but ultimately the success of this recording is in the pianist’s hands. He contributes a great solo to almost every track and has produced a truly thrilling album.” Andy Boeckstaens LONDON JAZZ

“Italian pianist Antonio Farao’s lovely American Quartet recording pulsates with supple rhythm and give-and-take dynamics from the first riff to the final hiss of Jack DeJohnette’s cymbal.”Mike Hobart Financial Times “Pegged years ago by the late Kenny Kirkland as a rising piano star, Antonio Faraò has realized his potential and established himself as one of Europe’s most respected young players.” Jazztimes Doug Ramsey

Read more

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Doctones with special...

Doctones Jazzrecords
2025

buy

Tributes

Criss Cross
2024

buy

Perfect Journey

Via Veneto Jazz
2022

buy

Simona Bencini -...

Sherazade Sound
2021

buy

Antonio Farao -...

Warner Music Italy
2017

buy

Boundaries

Verve Music Group
2016

buy

Similar

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.

Install All About Jazz

iOS Instructions:

To install this app, follow these steps:

All About Jazz would like to send you notifications

Notifications include timely alerts to content of interest, such as articles, reviews, new features, and more. These can be configured in Settings.