Antonio Artese is a pianist and composer. Receiving a diploma in piano from the Conservatorio “Santa Cecilia” in Rome, he studied Theoretical Philosophy at the University of Chieti, Italy, and subsequently branched into musicology at the University of Bologna.  He received the DMA in Piano Performance at the University of California at Santa Barbara.  Composer and arranger, he has recorded several albums lead various musical projects, and performed extensively both in the United States and in Europe. He is the founder and artistic director of many festivals in Italy (Brainwaves Festival, Florence – Festival Adriatico delle Musiche, Termoli  – Corsi Musicali, Alba – Adriatic Chamber Music Festival, Bonefro).

His unique personal style and improvisational skills both as jazz and classical musician allow him to be fluent in a wide range of musical idioms, including jazz and contemporary improvisation. Among his recordings are the piano solo albums “Italian Sketches”, New York, Digital Domani 1996, “Live in Santa Barbara,” Lotte Lehmann Hall, Opus 1, Santa Barbara, 2008, “The Change” Antonio Artese Trio, Music CD, Siena, Italy, 2006 and “Voyage” with Mirco Mariottini, clarinet, Gabriele Evangelista, bass, and Alessandro Marzi, drums, Sangallo Records 2014. Antonio Artese has performed as guest in several international festivals in Italy, Belgium, California, Sweden, London, Spain, among others.