Enrico Pieranunzi Trio

He is considered Europe’s leading modern jazz pianist: Enrico Pieranunzi. The Roman has been awarded the Jazz D’Or multiple times as Europe’s best jazz musician and chosen countless times as Italy’s Musician of the Year. Over his career, Enrico Pieranunzi has collaborated with many of the greatest names in jazz. There was the legendary trio with Marc Johnson and Joey Baron, as well as projects with Lee Konitz, Chris Potter, Chet Baker, Paul Motian, and many others. As the only Italian jazz musician (and one of the very few European musicians) so far, he recorded a live CD at the legendary Village Vanguard in New York—twice—once with Marc Johnson and Paul Motian, and then in 2015 in a quartet with tenor saxophonist Donny McCaslin, bassist Scott Colley, and drummer Clarence Penn. His discography is impressive, and his range as a composer and musician is both poetic and impressionistic, drawing from the great European musical tradition. Pieranunzi’s musical language is sometimes called “classical jazz” — he plays with beautiful, dynamic strokes and a sound that effortlessly lets melodies and phrases sparkle. Unmistakably, Pieranunzi’s playing, with its rhythmic and harmonic sophistication, has its roots in the playing of Bill Evans, who has been and remains a great role model and inspiration for him. It is simply impossible not to be captivated by this great musician.

Thomas Fonnesbæk’s bass playing creates a foundation for the songs with a dancing, rhythmic intensity that captivates, but with an elegance, responsiveness, and sensitivity that allows great attention to detail. Over the years, the Dane Fonnesbæk has played his way into the upper ranks of the elite and collaborated with international stars such as Monty Alexander, Christian Sands, Justin Kauflin, Aaron Parks, John Taylor, Helge Lien, Paolo Fresu, Lars Jansson, and Adam Baldych.

Finally, drummer Mauro Beggio counts among Italy’s leading drummers with his flexible, constantly present yet never intrusive drumming. Besides the Enrico Pieranunzi Trio, he plays in the quartet of the veteran Enrico Rava and with Claudio Fasoli. In addition, he can boast collaborations with musicians such as Franco D’Andrea, Stefano Bollani, Massimo Urbani, and international greats like Johnny Griffin, Toots Thielemans, Palle Danielsson, Kenny Wheeler, Franco Ambrosetti, and Paul Bley.

Together, the three are like-minded musical spirits who inspire, challenge, and quote each other in a interplay that manages to never become predictable!

Program and cast

Enrico Pieranunzi: piano
Thomas Fonnesbaek: bass
Mauro Beggio: drums