Instrumentalists

Composer, conductor, cellist and bass player, teacher.
Born in Rome, where he graduated in Architecture (1976), Paolo Damiani has a degree in double bass and jazz. He studied with masters such as Bruno Tommaso, Giorgio Gaslini, Giuseppe Selmi, Frances Marie Uitti, Lucio Buccarella Giorgio Pani. At the present he heads the jazz department of the Conservatory of Santa Cecilia in Rome.
Numerous collaborations with musicians like Kenny Wheeler, Albert Mangelsdorff, Billy Higgins, Anthony Braxton, Cecil Taylor, Gianluigi Trovesi, John Surman, Charlie Mariano, Miroslav Vitous, Trilok Gurtu, Paolo Fresu, Enrico Rava, Pat Metheny, Louis Sclavis, Anouar Brahem, Giancarlo Schiaffini, François Jeanneau, Pino Minafra and Giorgio Gaslini with whom he debuted in 1976.
Since 1978 directs his own groups with which it has participated in major festivals worldwide. Among his group the Italian Unstable Orchestra - considered by critics one of the world’s most prestigious European jazz orchestras - the duo with Danilo Rea and his own groups including Gianluigi Trovesi, Javier Girotto, Rita Marcotulli, Bebo Ferra, Diana Torto, Michael Anger and others.
He also collaborates regularly with writers and actors like Stefano Benni, Ivano Marescotti, David Riondino, Sonia Bergamasco, Fabrizio Gifuni, Lella Costa.
From 2000 to 2002 he was artistic and musical director of the ONJ - French National Jazz Orchestra - the first and only foreign artist to have won its competition. Between 1996 and 1999 he chaired the AMJ (national association of jazz musicians).
Since 1982 he head the International Festival of Jazz "Rumori Mediterranei", Roccella Jonica. Since 1998 he directs, together with Armand Meignan, the festival "Una striscia di terra feconda" in Rome.
Gave rise to projects of great originality and musical experiences. It ’was among the founders of the School of Music of Testaccio and invented IS Ensemble, selected through national youth orchestra audition. It is co-planning the series of audiobooks lately annexed to the Repubblica and Espresso.
In 2006 he was appointed coordinator of the National Committee for learning practical music, chaired by prof. Luigi Berlinguer.
Since 2007 he is member of the CNAM (National Council for Higher Education in Art and Music), the body of the Ministry of Education, University and Research.
On 2008 the President of the Republic awarded him the medal of Chevalier, for its artistic merits.
He has recorded with ECM, EGEA, Enja, Splasc(H), LEO, Musica Jazz.
His latest CD "Al tempo che farà" (EGEA) was awarded Best CDs of 2007 by the magazines Musica Jazz, Musica & Dischi and Jazzmagazine.