Stefano Bollani

Stefano Bollani (born in Milan on December 5, 1972) is an Italian pianist, composer and television personality, known for a musical versatility that ranges from jazz to classical music, from singer-songwriter fare to contemporary experimentation. His talent shows itself as much in improvisation as in the original reinterpretation of different styles and repertoires.

Raised in Florence, Bollani graduated in piano from the Luigi Cherubini Conservatory in 1993 with top marks. He gravitated toward jazz from a young age, combining his conservatory studies with forays into pop music, collaborating with artists such as Irene Grandi and Jovanotti.

His jazz career took off when he met trumpeter Enrico Rava, who brought him into prestigious ensembles. With Rava, Bollani built a lasting partnership, taking part in numerous albums and international tours. Over the years he has worked with some of the biggest names in world jazz, including Chick Corea, Richard Galliano, Phil Woods and Paolo Fresu, recording albums for prestigious labels such as ECM Records and Venus Records.

His discography is extensive and includes both solo work and recordings with various ensembles. Among the most significant albums of his career are "Les Fleurs Bleues" (2002), "Piano Solo" (2007), "Carioca" (2008), which explores Brazilian music, "Joy In Spite Of Everything" (2014), with Jesper Bodilsen and Morten Lund, "Que Bom" (2018), again devoted to Brazilian sounds, and "Blooming" (2023), an album inspired by nature and improvisation.

Stefano Bollani has also had an important career in classical music, collaborating with prestigious symphony orchestras such as the Gewandhausorchester in Leipzig, the Filarmonica della Scala and the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, working with conductors such as Riccardo Chailly. His classical repertoire includes works by Gershwin, Ravel and Prokofiev, as well as his own personal transcriptions and reinterpretations.

Alongside his music career, Bollani has shown great communication skills that have made him a well-known face on television and radio. In 2011 he hosted the music program "Sostiene Bollani" on Rai 3, alternating piano performances with conversations with leading guests from the music and cultural world. The show was a great success, thanks to his ability to present music with lightness and wit.

In 2016 he repeated the experience with "L'importante è avere un piano", again on Rai 1, bringing his musical vision to a wide audience and involving artists from various genres.

Since 2021 he has co-hosted, with his wife, actress and musician Valentina Cenni, the program "Via dei Matti n.0" on Rai 3, a daily musical journey in which the two share stories, anecdotes and curiosities tied to the world of music, keeping an accessible and playful approach.

Stefano Bollani has also had successful experiences on the radio, in particular with the program "Dottor Djembé" on Rai Radio 3, hosted together with David Riondino.