Max Ionata

Born in 1972, Max Ionata is considered as one of the most important jazz saxophonists in contemporary Italian Jazz scene. Although his late debut after having moved to Rome in 2005 and started his living only by music, Ionata has already gained a considerable reputation by international jazz critics and audience.

He played at some of the most important jazz clubs and festivals in the world, also in collaboration with : Alvin Queen, Lenny White, Robin Eubanks, Reuben Rogers, Clarence Penn, Steve Grossman, Mike Stern, Bob Mintzer, Bob Franceschini, Hiram Bullock, Joel Frahm, Miles Griffith, Andy Gravish, Anthony Pinciotti, Roberto Gatto, Dado Moroni, Giovanni Tommaso, Flavio Boltro, Lorenzo Tucci, Furio Di Castri, Fabrizio Bosso, Rosario Bonaccorso, Mario Biondi, Gegè Telesforo and many others.

He won the “Massimo Urbani” in 2000, 1st prize in “Baronissi international Jazz Competition 2000”, public nominee in “Tramplin Jazz D’Avignon” in France. While leading his own groups that brought him a big success in Japan, Ionata also regularly shows up on some important projects, Roberto Gatto’s “Remembering Shelly”, Gegè Telesforo’s “So Cool 5tet” etc. as a sideman.