Artist Bio:
Born in Siena, Italy in 1953, after his degree in Music History in 1980 he moves abroad in order to continue his guitar studies.
In England he participates in workshops with Barney Kessel (1978-79), successively he moves to the USA where he takes courses at the Manhattan School of Music (1979) and Mannes College of Music (1981). He also studies privately with some of the major exponents of American jazz: Mautila Nyombo (1979), Joe Ravo (1982), John Scofield and Andy Neffe(1983), Ryo Kawasaki (1983-84), Joe Giglio(1999).
In 1985 Fabio returns to Siena where he begins the fortunate collaboration with Gianna Nannini, lasting all of the 1980s. The album "Profumo"(1986), produced by Connie Plank (Can, Ultravox, The Tourists, Clannad, Killing Joke), is an enormous success, as is the world tour.In Germany and many european countries Pianigiani and Nannini are two superstars. Pianigiani also composes for Donatella Rettore (1991) and Riccardo Fogli (1998) for whom he is also artistic producer and arranger.
He also collaborates with Alice, Franco Battiato, Ombretta Colli. Pianigiani, however, has two distinct souls and at a certain that of the musician prevails. A personal and methodical research into his 'sound' motivates him to confront himself with diverse repertoires and experiences:music for videos, theatrical performances, contemporary dance and particular sound tracks ("Dai Colli", a musical piece for the city of Pienza). In the meantime, he continues his activity as artistic producer and arranger for Mario Castelnuovo for whom he produces and arranges three albums (1991-95). Thematic operas and jazz festivals, ambient and classical music offer Pianigiani the possibility to continue hos research. The teaching experience (workshops in Music and Communication for the Science of Communications course at the University of Siena evolves into new personal and musical horizons. In 2000 Pianigiani publishes an opera on water , "Fonte Gaia", historical fountain in Siena's Piazza del Campo, a reflection on the symbolic value and profound significance tied to water. But his soul is ever divided and the search for a warm and onirical sound, influenced by the American experience, but intimately 'tuscan', places him in a personal, emotional, mediterranean landscape. In concert Pianigiani plays with a formation of musicians that alternates between electronic and acoustic instruments, accompanied by video images.
From 2002 he teaches 'Theory and Technique of Music Production in the Media' in the Science of Comunication Department –University of Siena.
On September 11,2003 "Blue Etrusco" is released , a CD composed and recorded for the Archeological exhibition at Santa Maria della Scala Museum, Siena.
"Blue Etrusco" contains original compositions by Fabio Pianigiani, lyrics by Mario Castelnuovo and the partecipation of various vocalists, including Riccardo Fogli, expressly created to enhance the emotional sphere of the Archeological collection of important etruscan findings.
From 2004 he begins collaborating with Dr. Franco Cracolici (School of Traditional Acupuncture in Florence) for the production of five CDs related to the five movements in Chinese medicine: Earth, Metal, Water, Wood and Fire.
The first CD "Terra" will be published on March 2005 (Supreme-Fabio Pianigiani Publishing) —Courtesy Calabash Music
