Provided with Bonafede's highly imaginative touch, his newest album Sicilian Opening, on the JazzEyes label, features original compositions played with fine melodic lines and evocative sound, as well as some evergreen pop hits arranged in the trademark Bonafede distinctive jazz style. With this recording Bonafede definitively cements his reputation as one of the most compelling piano players and brilliant composers on the present scene, both at home and throughout the world.
Born in Palermo, Italy, Salvatore Bonafede taught himself to play piano at the age of four, later graduating from Palermo Conservatory of Music. In 1986 he earned a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music in Boston, from which he graduated in three years. While living there, “Sal"--as elder jazz musicians started to call him--joined the Jerry Bergonzi Quartet to tour Australia. In 1989 he moved to New York where he led his own groups and played with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Dewey Redman, Joshua Redman, Lew Tabackin, and Joe Lovano. His first CD as a leader and composer, “Actor-Actress" (Ken Music, Japan) was praised by critics around the world and earned a place on the Village Voice Critics' Poll as one of the Top 10 CDs of the Year. In 1991, the Italian magazine “Musica Jazz" voted him a “Top Young Player".
Sal Bonafede moved back to Italy in 1994 and worked with Lester Bowie, Tom Harrell, Bobby Watson and John Scofield. As pianist of Joe Lovano's 12-piece orchestra, he took part in a number of major European festivals and performed for “The 2005 Nightlife Awards" at Town Hall in New York. He also recorded and worked with Marc Johnson, Paul Motian, Paolo Fresu, Judi Silvano, Randy Brecker, John Abercrombie, Marvin “Smitty" Smith, Jerry Bergonzi, Tim Berne, Ralph Towner, Dave Douglas, Michael Formanek, and Enrico Rava. In addition to his performing and recording activities, Bonafede also composes for film (awarded for best soundtrack in 2003 and 2004) and for TV movies.
