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Artists: Amato - Ionata Organic

Born from the need, by both performers of a new sound that is not far removed from their own style, this quartet gathers the collaboration of four of the most appreciated talents in the circle of National Jazz.

Amato and Ionata quartet proposes an original repertoire with a strong hard bop root, to which they willingly join the execution of some standards, as in the best of traditions.

An exemplary rhythmic session is performed by the young Julian O. Mazzariello on the Hammond organ and Nicola Angelucci on drums who reaches more than ever on this occasion to completely satisfy the requirements of the group, despite not having the contribution of the bass.

In spite of its recent foundation, this quartet has already received outstanding appraisals from the public as well as specialised critics.

Giovanni Amato

The best Italian trumpeter

Composer, excellent arranger, Giovanni Amato is a musician that possesses an exceptional swing together with a strong boppistic influence. The powerful and soft touch, the versatile and spontaneous musicality are his main characteristics.

Amato was born in the province of Salerno, where he started playing the trumpet under the guidance of his father, also a musician. His first albums are jazz ones. At sixteen he is already part of an important jazz band, the one of the Neapolitan musician Antonio Golino "Elbas Jazz Group" and performs in the main Neapolitan clubs. He also studies classical music and gets his degree in '89 at the conservatory of Salerno with top marks. From 1990 Giovanni starts an intense concert activity that introduces him to important Italian and international circuits. Many his collaborations with important musicians, as: Danilo Perez, Lee Konitz, Gary Peacoc, Steve Grossman, George Garzone, Bob Russo with his Chicago University Band, Tony Scott, Mike Goodrich, Vincent Herring, Avishai Cohen, Kevin Mahogany, Richard Galliano, Bob Mover, Gene Jackson, Kenny Davis, Tom Harrel and many others including the best Italian jazz musicians.

He has also taken part at various TV and radio programs. He teaches music on the Italian satellite television, and records with some of the most famous Italian artists, such as Gino Paoli, Gianna Nannini, Teresa De Sio, Fred Bongusto, Geg?? Telesforo, Toni Esposito, Alex Baroni, Laura Pausini.

Jazzit, one of the most important Italian Jazz magazines has just published an interview with Giovanni Amato. The artist is considered by the critics as the best Italian Trumpter

SOME CONCERTS AND TOURS

Perugia, Umbria Jazz Festival (PERFORMED IN SIX EDITIONS)
Orvieto, Umbria Jazz Winter (PERFORMED IN THREE EDITIONS)
Germany, Ulm "Ulm Jazz Festival"
Germany, Monaco "Unterfahrt Jazz club"
Tunisia, Tabarka "International Jazz Festival of Tabarka"
USA, New York "Up Over Jazz Club"
France, Paris "Duc Des Lombardes"
France, Paris "Sunset Jazz Club"
Austria, Vienna "Porgy & Bess Jazz Club"
Croazia, Rijeka "Jazz Time, International Jazz Festival di Rijeka"
Villa Celimontana, Roma (Various editions)
Metastasio Jazz, Prato (Various Editions)
Jazz by The Sea, Fano (Various Editions)
Iseo Jazz Festival
Volterra Jazz, (Two Editions)
Jazz On The Coast, Minori (Various Editions)
Veneto Jazz Festival
Fiemme Ski Jazz, Valle di Fiemme
Eddie Lang Jazz Festival, Monteroduni (Varie Edizioni)
Interamnia Jazz Festival, Teramo
Gezziamoci, Matera (Varie Edizioni)
Teano Jazz, (Varie Edizioni)
Fall In Jazz International Jazz Festival, Arona
2007: performed at the most important jazz festival and clubs all over Italy
2007: International tours of the last 6 months: Romania - Spain - Poland - England (London) -Tunisia Cartagine) - Japan (Tokio, Osaka) - Kuwait
2008: Tour in London in April including a performance in duo at one of the London most important National Teathres

Max Ionata

Born in Atessa near Chieti, Italy, he is one of the most appreciated Italian tenor sax of the Italian jazz scene.
Studied at the Conservatorio Gabriele D'Annunzio of Pescara and completed his studies in Jazz Music at The Columbia College of Chicago under the Maestro William (Bill) Russo and also studied with Luca Mannutza, Emanuele Cisi, Robert Bonisolo e Steve Lacy.

Past collaborative works with renowned Italian and foreign musicians include:
Mike Stern, Bob Mintzer, Bob Franceschini, Hiram Bullock, Andy Gravish, Miles Griffith, Giovanni Amato, Carlo Atti, Flavio Boltro, Fabrizio Bosso, Giovanni Amato, Maurizio Giammarco and many others

Prizes to his name include:
-Massimo Urbani competition for wind instruments in 2000;
-Baronissi competition (together with his quartet) in 2000;
-Trampling Jazz d'Avignon (France).

Italian Jazz festivals he has played at include:
Umbria Jazz, Ancona Jazz, Pescara Jazz , Jazz 'n Fall, Interamnia Jazz Festival, Leuciana Festival, Sant'Anna Arresi, Arezzo Jazz Winter, Arezzo Jazz Summer, Baronissi Jazz, Atessa in Jazz, Val di Fiemme Sky Jazz, Over Jazz, Le Strade del Jazz, Crossroads, Veneto Jazz, Ferrara in Jazz, Fiorenza Jazz, Acuto Jazz, Atina Jazz, Villa Celimontana Jazz, Fandango Jazz Festival, Archeojazz, Peperoncino Jazz , Beat Onto Jazz, Ronciglione Jazz , Montalcino Jazz & Wine.

Performs at the most important Italian jazz clubs: AlexanderPlatz, Pinocchio Jazz Club, Biella Jazz Club, Cotton Jazz Club, Fano Jazz'n Club, Jazz Club Ferrara, Cantina Bentivoglio, Blue Note Milan and many others.

Works as a tenor sax with some groups at his name and also with the best Italian jazz bands.

Julian Oliver Mazzariello

Born in UK in 1978 to English mother and Italian father.

Julian Oliver Mazzariello began studies at 7 years of age.

Won Young jazz Telegraph, with drummer Jose Hathaway, and participated on channel 4's 291 club at the age of 13.

Moving to Italy at the age of 17, continuing playing jazz with musicians from the Salerno area. Musicians such as Deidda brothers, Amedeo Ariano, Pietro Vitale, Daniele Scannapieco and Giovanni Amato.

Has Since toured with Gegé Telesforo, Lucio Dalla, Stefano Di Battista, Nicky Nickolai, Fiorella Mannoia, Mario Biondi and many others also famous.

Took part in different televised programs.

In 2005 he won the First Prize at Sanremo with N. Nicolai and Stefano di Battista Jazz Quartet.

Group collaborations;
High Five quintet
Stefano di Battista quartet
Stefano di Battista Quintet
Amato-Ionata hammond quartet "Organic"
'In this time' (with Roberto Gatto)
Dario Deidda Trio
Giovanni Tommaso

Julian Oliver Mazzariello is one of the most requested pianists by the top Italian artists.

Nicola Angelucci

Drummer

Born in 1979.

Starts his drummer studies with Alberto Biondi, Lorenzo Tucci and with pianist Luca Mannutza. In spite of his young age Nicola Angelucci is considered as one of the youngest professional drummers of Italy.

Attended many seminars under Enrico Rava, Giulio Capuozzo, Agostino Marangolo, Stefano Battaglia, Ettore Fioravanti, Pietro Tomolo, Steve Lacy.

He is a drummer to Enrico Pierannunzi trio.

Past collaborations with renowned Italian and International musicians include:

Benny Golson, Bob Mintzer, Wess Anderson, Steve Grossman, Jeremy Pelt, Sonny Fortune, John Hicks, Michael Manring, Miles Griffith, Andy Gravish, Joris Teepe, Shawn Monteiro, Amedeo Tommasi, Rosario Giuliani, Fabrizio Bosso, Stefano Battista, Emanuele Cisi, Xavier Girotto, Joseph Lepore, Pietro Lussu, Pietro Ciancaglini, Carlo Atti, Emanuele Basentini, Antonio Ciacca, Carmelo Tartamella, Max Ionata, Max D' Avola, Frrancesco Puglisi, Cinzia Tedesco, Ada Montellanico, Francesca Sortino, Niki Nicolai, Amalia Gro, Dario Deidda, Rocco Zifarelli, Pietro Odorici, Gianluca Renzi, Pino Iodice, Giorgio Rosciglione, Cicci Santucci, Dario Rosciglione,Tony Pancella, Bepi D' Amato, Enzo Scoppa, Andrea Beneventano, Luca Bulgarelli, Maurizio Rolli, Giancarlo Alfani. Pietro Umiliani, Claudio Corvini, etc.

Mike Stern, Michael Manring, Maurizio Rolli, Fabrizio Bosso, Achille Succi, Diana Torto, Angelo Canelli, Max Ionata, Claudio Filippini, Gianluca Esposito, Giovanni Imparato.

Recorded with many Italian artist including Stefano di Battista and Susanna Stivali.