ANTONIO FIGURA MUSIC
PIANIST COMPOSER
I am convinced that music is a universal language that reaches beyond cultural and geographical boundaries. Everything is possible if we have persistence and face any challenge that life gives. So, never give up and never leave our own dreams behind!
Pianist/composer Antonio Figura is an adjunct professor at NYU Steinhardt’s Department of Music & Performing Arts Professions. He holds graduate music degrees from the Luigi Cherubini conservatory of music in Firenze, Santa Cecilia conservatory of music in Roma, and an Artist Diploma at New York University.
Since 1996, Figura has performed throughout Europe and the United States with a broad array of artists and projects. In 2016, he was appointed vice-president of the PSMSAD Fund (Painters, Sculptors, Musicians, Writers and Authors Dramatic), whose aim is to supporting collaborations with institutions with similar interested throughout Italy and abroad to support training, development, and successful outcomes in bolstering international collaborations. In 2014, he was included in the Italian Jazz Dictionary by Flavio Caprera and published by Feltrinelli.
Figura’s current duo collaboration with Dave Schroeder have produced three CD recording projects.
Carla Bley & Steve Swallow
Dave Schroeder and Antonio Figura make music of extraordinary poise and balance, in which they explore the meaning of “song.” First, this music sings, passionately. Melodies abound, and breath rules. These two breathe together; Antonio’s artful use of the pedal pushes the piano to inhale and exhale with Dave’s parlando lines. Second, there is everywhere in this recording a careful consideration of song form - of ways its history, as embodied by an honorable list of practitioners from Puccini to Porter - is filled with stirring, evocative stories. The music on this recording is story-telling music, music replete with the atmosphere of mythic tales spun at night, out of doors. It invites you to recapture the kind of listening you did as a child, when music first grabbed you and transported you to worlds you hadn’t imagined.
Been Here and Gone on Jazzit Record
The Music of David Schroeder & Antonio Figura
The album "Been Here And Gone", published in the USA by ComboNuvo Records,is now available in Italy on Jazzit Records.
It is possible to receive the CD along with the Jazzit Magazine, where, among the other things, you will find an interview we did with Sergio Pasquandrea and a guide for listening written by Dave and myself.
QUOTES
"Virtuoso pianist, eclectic, lyrical and versatile, his music combines with great sensitivity the tradition of European and Afro-American music.
(The Italian Jazz Dictionary by Flavio Caprera published by Feltrinelli).
"Antonio has a definite personality and his piano playing has characteristics very defined.”
(Piacentino - Musica Jazz Magazine)
"In his aesthetic world, there are Paul Bley's influences, who is perhaps the most obvious reference, Bill Evans and, further back, up to Teddy Wilson. Great masters who he knew to internalize to build a personal style. His pages are well laid out, with a great sense of space."
(Gerlando Gatto - A proposito di Jazz)
"Antonio knows how to exploit the dynamic qualities of the piano, and he honors the space between the notes.
He's achieved a truly timeless trio sound that really gives your imagination space to wander."
(Soweto Kinch)
"Beautiful sounds from pianist Antonio Figura, a player who's got a great sense of space, and who really knows how to keep us waiting breathlessly for each new note! Figura's definitely of the Bill Evans school, but also has a more modern approach too, one that draws from a real 21st Century take on jazz piano, that sense of flow and almost blocks of sound that we love..."
(Dusty Groove America)
CONTACTS & BOOKING
For booking enquires, buying CDs, and general information, please contact me at this mail address, thank you!
