Nico Morelli master class at the Jazz Department
The Italian pianist-composer will be hosted by the Liszt Academy on 27 April 2023.
theme of the master class:
The Interplay in Jazz Combos (from the DUO to QUARTET) and the personal composing approach
Date:
Saturday 27 April 2023, 13.00
Venue:
Köztelek street building, Room 114
Participation options:
The master class is recommended for all instrumental (rhythm section and wind section) and vocal students!
The master class is open to students and teachers of the Bartók Konzi and the Liszt Academy. Pre-registration is required with Andrea Borzi at borzi.andrea[at]zeneakademia.hu.
Nico Morelli was born in Taranto, Italy, in 1965. After graduating from the Taranto National Conservatory, he went to Rome for more advanced classical training with Aldo Ciccolini. He specialized in jazz at the Italian schools “Siena Jazz”, “Berklee School of Boston”, “Manhattan School”. His teachers included Franco D’Andrea.
In 1991, an encounter with Steve Lacy and Glenn Ferris gave rise to the album Nella Sala Delle Arcate. In the years that followed, Nico Morelli performed with Flavio Boltro, Enrico Rava, Paolo Fresu, Marc Johnson, Roberto Gatto, Bruno Tommaso, Roberto Ottaviano, Bob Mover, and Stefano D’Anna, to name a few.
The following year, he earned a diploma in Jazz from the Bari Conservatory and participated in a workshop led by Paul Bley. In 1996, Nico Morelli recorded with Roberto Gatto and Marc Johnson. The Dream, the fruit of these recordings, was released in January, 1998. In early 1997, he formed the Jazz Air Trio with double bassist Paolo Ghetti and drummer Vincenzo Lanzo. For several years, the trio has performed regularly throughout Italy. At the same time, Nico Morelli continues to collaborate with other musicians, such as Roberto Gatto, Giovanni Tommaso and Paolo Fresu. Isole Senza Mari, by the Jazz Air Trio, was released in July, 1998. In May, 1999, he was awarded first prize at the ‘Viva il Jazz’ international competition in Milan. The same year, he won third prize at the “Piano Jazz à Vanves” international competition. In 2000, he won second prize in composition at the La Défense competition in Paris. In 2002, Aldo Romano invited him to participate on his album Because of Bechet (Universal Music).
His musical concept is based on the fusion of jazz with the sounds and classical melodies from the beginning of the 20th century. Inspired by the works of Ravel, Debussy, Fauré and Albeniz as well as Bach, his compositions are characterized by what has come to be known as a ” white ” jazz feel, comparable to Bill Evans, with his own balanced rhythm and personal sound.