Enrico Pieranunzi, a superior post-bop pianist who was influenced by McCoy Tyner and Bill Evans, is one of the best jazz pianists in Italy. His father was a jazz-loving guitarist and he taught him piano at the age of five. Pieranunzi was 19 when he became a professional, playing in Marcello Rosa’s band. Pieranunzi has been a leader of his own groups since then. He also worked with top European and American players, such as Chet Baker and Marcello Rosa’s quartet. Pieranunzi is also a teacher at a conservatory and does studio work. He can also perform solo as a chamber musician. He recorded many impressive jazz sets during the 1990s as a leader for Enja and Timeless, including Soul Note. His CDs appeared frequently on CamJazz labels, including Play Morricone (2002) and Current Conditions, as well as Play Morricone Vol. 2 (both 2003), Ballads (2006) and Live in Japan (2007) and Dream Dance (2009) — a trio that featured Joey Baron as drummer and Marc Johnson as bassist. Allmusic
