dario yassa

Dario Yassa, pianist and composer, is a 1994 Conservatorio A. Vivaldi graduate from Maestro Vincenzo Balzani. He participates to several competitions with consistent top rankings (Torneo Internazionale della Musica, Concorso di Esecuzione Musicale Agimus, Concorso “Giulio Rospigliosi”..). In 1997 he obtains the first diploma in composition at the Conservatorio G. Verdi of Milan and the title of SIAE composer, qualification needed to perform in important exhibits and gigs. He develops a strong interest for jazz music and attends the Manhattan School of Music where he learns jazz impro with Mike Abene. At that time he meets the pianist Barry Harris who invites him to take part to several of his seminars in New York and Boston. He attends several workshops amongst which those taught by Leibman, Mulgrev Miller, Uri Caine. He further attends the International Music Academy directed by Enrico Intra where he further improves stride piano skill, piano afro-american literature and jazz piano with Paulo Peruffo, Marco Fumo and Paolo Birro respectively. He graduates in jazz piano. In 2002 he receives tenure O.M. 2001 for musical education in the secondary schools, first and second degree with top ranking. He is awarded as best pianist in famous seminars, held in Nuoro and the following year is invited to exhibit in shows in Berchidda, Nuoro and other important gigs in Sardegna. He performs in several jazz theaters in Italy, as in Trento, Dimaro and Rosetum amongst others and many festivals from Jazz Metro, Break in jazz, Melegnano, Ronciglione and Nuoro jazz festival. His international exhibits extend to France, Switzerland, Egypt and the USA with classic and jazz piano performances. By the end of 2004 he records his original compositions in the album Equilibrist, edited by Splasch Records.He presents the recording at the Melegnano Festival and several radio stations play his music. The second album, "Sounds and Colours", is edited by Music Center and is a mix of compositions for trio and quartet. Reviews: "A propensity for knocking music off the rails with asymmetric, crooked rhythms..an adamantine cure for a melody that is several inspired by the principles of clarity and song, even when the design is actually more tortuous than how it sounds." – Luca Bragalini "A relaxed and swinging style, where the flow is couplet to a rythmic tension that avoids breaks even on themes particularly tortuous… everything becomes simple and armonic, enjoyable and soft." All about jazz “Highly influenced by Thelonious Monk and respectful of some of Jacky Terrasson’s work, Yassa injects humor and adventure into his playing…Yassa remains consistent with his attitude of sunny optimism and non-biased exploration.”- Bill Donaldson. “The impression his trio leaves is one of playfulness as they play tricks on the listener, distort melodies, confound expectations and, in the end, entertain in their own unique manner.”- Cadence magazine, New York. On march 2007 he records a new album, “Sounds and Colours”, edited by Music Center Records, with original compositions for trio and quartet.Parallel to his exhibits he teaches piano and music in many state schools.