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Gianmarco Ferri

Guitarist and composer, born in Campobasso on January 5, 1999, he began his musical studies at the age of 13, shortly after starting the study of jazz guitar with maestro Nicola Cordisco at the "Thelonious Monk Music Association".
At the same time he studied theory and solfeggio, again at Thelonious Monk, with the master Pino De Vivo. After five years of attending AMTM, Gianmarco perfected his musical knowledge by attending seminars with numerous international musicians including: Jerry Bergonzi, Tim Miller, Nicholas Payton, Peter Bernstein and many others.

In 2015 he participated in the summer seminars of Umbria Jazz where he won the scholarship for the Five Weeks at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. During the Five Weeks at Berklee College, following an audition, he won a scholarship that will allow him to attend a full degree course in the United States from 2018. In Boston he attended courses held by great exponents of contemporary jazz such as Danilo Perez, John Patitucci, Joe Lovano, Terri Lyne Carrington, Ben Street, Adam Cruz, Luciana Souza, Tia Fuller, Dave Liebman, George Garzone, Terence Blanchard. In 2019 he was admitted to attend the Berklee Global Jazz Institute directed by Danilo Perez. In 2022 he graduated with honors from Berklee College of Music in Contemporary Performance.

In 2022, after graduating from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, he moved to Rome and began his career as a professional musician.

He participates in prestigious jazz competitions including: Massimo Urbani Prize '23 (third place), The Genius of Eddie Lang '23 (second place).

He has played with musicians such as: Ben Solomon, Matteo and Giovanni Cutello, Jim Odgren, Kenny Werner, David Kikoski, David Santoro, Warren Wolf, Nikos Chatsisakos, Luca Santaniello, Paolo Birro, Andrea Rea, Antonio Ciacca, Marcello Allulli, Marcello Pellitteri.

Gianmarco Ferri: On The Scene

Read "On The Scene" reviewed by Neil Duggan

by Neil Duggan
May 23, 2024

It is an interesting idea to pair a young, gifted guitarist just starting their career with a well-known jazz pianist. The guitarist in question is Italian Gianmarco Ferri. Following auditions, he won consecutive scholarships to attend Berklee College of Music, where he graduated with honours in 2022. Pianist David Kikoski is another graduate of Berklee. He is a Grammy Award winner and has played with the Mingus Big Band, Roy Haynes, Randy Brecker, Billy Hart and many other prominent musicians. ...

Album Review

Nikos Chatzitsakos: Tiny Big Band!

Read "Tiny Big Band!" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
June 28, 2022

Bassist Nikos Chatzitsakos' Tiny Big Band, formed in 2018, is basically a nonet with vocalist Lian Zac added on three of the album's eleven tracks, trumpeter Robert Mac Vega-Dowda sitting in on five, vibraphonist Vid Jamnik on four, guitarist Gianmarco Ferri on two. The accent is on straight-ahead contemporary jazz, exemplified by seven standards from the Great American Songbook and a quartet of handsome themes whose jazz credentials are exemplary. The ensemble plays with assurance and enthusiasm, ...

"Ferri shows considerable maturity in his compositions, and his playing and sensitivity bely his age. He is unafraid to wear his influences on his sleeve, but he is no mere imitator. His solos are well-shaped and compliment the beauty of the piano work. His creativity combined with Kikoski's keyboard mastery make for an engaging combination. Battaglia and Santaniello provide excellent support and Allulli is an inspired addition, making this an entertaining and appealing debut."

Neil Duggan - All About Jazz

''Entering the studio with Gianmarco and the guys, I discovered a young guitarist whose sound and feeling defy his age. His endless flow of ideas made playing alongside him a pleasure. I foresee great things in his future and am delighted to be part of this recording with his fantastic band.''