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"Giulio Risi is a multifaceted artist who nourishes his intellectual curiosity across many fields. The mastery with which he explores the intricacies of his compositions is an undeniable testament to the depth and rigor of his technical and cultural preparation".
"Prove Aperte"
Ph. Lorna le Bredonchel
BIOGRAPHY
Giulio Risi is a multi-award-winning composer, pianist, writer and producer, widely recognised for his inventive blending of contemporary classical music with elements of pop, gospel, and jazz. His approach intertwines lyrical melodies with sophisticated harmonies and rhythms, crafting evocative soundscapes that bend conventional genres and deeply connect with listeners.
Musical Journey
Over the years, Risi has released several acclaimed albums, evolving from jazz roots in his early works to a contemporary classical style. His performances have captivated audiences at festivals and events worldwide, praised for their powerful and emotive delivery. Beginning his journey at a young age, he immersed himself in the rich traditions of classical music and jazz, refining his craft as a pianist and expanding into composition. This exploration led him to develop a style that fuses classical structures with modern influences, resulting in a sound both timeless and innovative.
Shortly after moving to London, Risi’s career began to grow steadily. In 1999, his debut album “Partido Alto” earned him a nomination for the Perrier Award for Best Young Jazz Musician of the Year. The following year, he partecipated to a Middle Eastern tour alongside Tony Jones (Nina Simone’s producer). A year later he joined David Steele’s (former member of The Beat and Fine Young Cannibals) on tour promoting Steele’s album Underneath the Ice. In 2003 he composed the soundtrack for Antonello Novellino’s film “La Pianta” , winning Best Original Music at the Montefranco Film Festival. That year, he also composed music for commercials (Lozenge and Loyd Grossman).
His second album, “Deep Down Where the heart beats no more” (2005), was met with enthusiastic international reviews, praised for guiding listeners on an ideal journey across nations through eleven tracks, each inspired by a particular culture. The album featured contributions from top European musicians, including bassist Henry Thomas (of Alan Holdsworth’s band), Gilad Atzmon, and Asaf Sirkis and includes a renowned rework of a 1970s Italian folk track titled "La Fata" as well as Piano & Bit / Il cuore e il fiore , another standout on the album, a tune that spans from funk to neoclassical and features rapper Be Atwell.
For several years, Risi has also been a member of the English progressive rock band Jadis, produced by Marillion.
In 2010 and 2011 the pilot tracks Liquido inquinante and Danza dei lobotomizzati, part of his singer-songwriter EP Nemesi di un'araba fenice, were previewed at the Augusto Daolio Awards and the Musica Controcorrente Awards. Although Risi won Best Lyrics Award at the Daolio and the Best Artist Voted by the Web at Musica Controcorrente, he decided not to proceed with the album's release.
On March the 7th 2025, Risi's latest album “Seven sketckes of loss (compositions for piano and holograms)" has been unveiled. The album explores seven perspectives of human loss, with each track serving as a musical sketch, delving into a different emotional landscape guiding listeners through a reflective journey that suggests how different types of severance ultimately converge on the same path to freedom. The album’s first single,The Abyss (The Loss of Self) debuted at the composition contest A Music for Piano City, where it reached the final round.
Writing Career
Risi’s first novel, “Vita d’uomini morti” (Life of Dead Men - Eretica Publishing, 2022), received widespread recognition for its dark and unique style, which contributed to the book winning several literary awards, establishing him as a new voice in contemporary Italian literature.
AWARDS
1999 - Best Young Jazz Pianist of the Year Award - London Jazz Club "606" (Nomination)
2003 - Award for Best Original Music - Montefranco Film Festival
2004 - Best Keyboardist on a tour Award - Planet Sound
2008 - Best Prog-Rock Keyboardist of the year Award- Rock Express
2010 - Augusto Daolio Award for Best Lyrics
2011 - Musica Controcorrente - Award for best artist voted by the web
2022 - Casentino Prize Literary Honorary Award
2022 - Kerasion Literary Award
2022 - Victoria 3.0 Literary Award
2022 - Franco Loi Literary Award
2024 - Composition Contest "A music for Piano City" - Finalist
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