Born 16 April 1988, Cremona, is an Italian pianist, composer, producer and bandleader. Owner of Oriri label. Master in Jazz Piano at “G.Nicolini” Conservatory in Piacenza, master in Industrial Biotechnologyat University of Pavia.

Raised in a musical environment: “imprinting” with Charles Mingus’s Changes One and Changes Two, his father’s favorite recordings; his uncle, pianist, notices Francesco can play on an old organ some simple melodies by ear. He starts studying piano at age 4. At age 7 he starts studying classical piano with Enrico Tansini, obtaining the "Theory and Solfege" and “History of music” diplomas at “F.Vittadini” Conservatory in Pavia.

Takes part and wins many competitions for young pianists but he decides to quit classical studies and in 2003 he begins to play jazz, studying privately with Mario Piacentini, a very well-known Italian pianist.

At age 18 founds a band with some friends (3albot Jazz Quartet, still active) with which takes part to many competitions, national and international, such as “Chicco Bettinardi” (first prize) in Piacenza, “European Jazz Contest” (second prize) , “Jazz by the Pool Competition” (second prize). In those years he attends many different seminars and masterclasses all over Italy, getting in touch with musicians from all over the world.

In 2009 Giovanni Tommaso, famous Italian bass player, notices him during Berklee College of music seminars in Perugia, flagging Francesco as “outstanding musician”.

In 2010 begins to study privately with Roberto Cipelli (Paolo Fresu’s pianist) and at the same timehe applies for a private jazz school in Milan, named Accademia del Suono, where he studies Jazzwith Andrea Pozza and Gianluca Di Ienno. He owns the scholarships for two years and gets thediploma, equal to bachelor

From 2012 and on he starts to study “free improvisation” and “radical improvisation”, researchingtraditions and language of European XX century with Enzo Rocco (with whom forms a duo). Developing this language he get to know and work with musicians all over Europe, especially in Belgium and the Netherlands.

In 2013 wins with “3AlBot Jazz Quartet” the second prize at “Jazz by the Pool” competition,achieving the chance to attend classes at Conservatorium of Amsterdam, and also wins thesecond prize at the “European Jazz Contest” in Maastricht.

With “3AlBot JazzQuartet” wins the first prize in the “bands” category at “Chicco Bettinardi” competition in Piacenza and he wins the second prize as a soloist at the “Jazz by the Pool” competition in Padova.

2015 is a dense year: wins the national competition “Chicco Bettinardi” in the “soloists” category,gets selected from MidJ as national “unique soloist” for the “We Insist!” prize, he is inherited with“Premio Internazionale Giorgio Gaslini” becoming so the musical heir of the master, andrecords and publishes with “Ultrasound Records” label his first piano solo album “Almanacchi”.

In 2016 he obtains the Master in Jazz Piano at “G.Nicolini” Conservatory in Piacenza with 110/110cum laude and honorable mention. He signes a contract with NAU Records, Giovanni Barone’slabel, with which he records and publishes a trio album as bandleader, ‘Causality Chance Need’.
With the same band takes part at many festivals in two years, and in 2017 gets selected for themost famous 12Points Festival 2017 in Aarhus, Denmark.

With 2017 begins to study Electronic Music and Sound Engineering at “G.Nicolini” Conservatoryin Piacenza, with Roberto Doati.
He applies for and wins the European “Music Lab” fundingcompetition, getting access to spaces and technologies for recording and producing audio/videomaterial. During the year he records and produces about 50 live concerts of every genre, from orchestral and chamber music, to electronic.

In 2018 he founds his own label “Oriri” with a highly professional mobile recording studio, payingparticular attention to graphics, packaging and contents, looking for modernity and functionality.
In only 4 months he produces 12 live concerts, 7 albums and 10 videos, for young talents and for theconservatory.

In April he is sent to China in Beijing, for having won the “AIR” (Artists in Residency)- organized by Italian government, SIAE and MIdJ- a worldwide artistic residencies project.
Duringthis period he teaches a masterclass at CMA in Beijing.At the moment he is dedicated to the study of electronics applied to acoustic instruments.

He’s been teaching Jazz Keyboards at “F.Vittadini” Conservatory in Pavia for 3 years, ComplementaryJazz Piano at “G.Nicolini” Conservatory in Piacenza for 2 years, Harmony, Improvisation andEnsemble in a private Institute in his hometown for 4 years, and Jazz Piano at Academy of Musicin Stradella for 2 years.

Continues his career as a musician taking part to many different international festivals and venues all over Italy: Piacenza Jazz Fest, Nuoro Jazz, Novara Jazz, Umbria Jazz, Jazz a L’Aquila,Soresina Jazz, Soncino Jazz, Lovere “BackToJazz”, Roccella Jazz, Secondo Memorial “G.Gaslini”,as a soloist or with other bands.
In Europe: Gent Jazz (Belgium), 12Points Festival (Aarhus,Denmark), Amsterdam Blue Note, BIM House (Netherlands), Due des Lombards (Paris, France)and many others.

All Right Reserved. Francesco Orio 2019

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