JAZZ BASS ACADEMY

Gianluca Renzi is an Italian bass player, composer, arranger, sound engineer and educator. He is an internationally acclaimed jazz musician and he currently performs on a regular basis with some of the world's best known jazz artists. Gianluca is a New York City resident since 2008.

Before moving to New York in 2008 Gianluca was one of the most active Italian bass players, performing with many European Jazz Stars such as Antonio Faraò; Giovanni Mirabassi; Rosario Giuliani; Dado Moroni; Flavio Boltro; Maurizio Giammarco; Roberto Gatto; Dede Ceccarelli; Enrico Pieranunzi; Fabrizio Bosso; Franco Ambrosetti; Riccardo Fassi; Umberto Fiorentino; Ettore Fioravanti, Giampaolo Ascolese,and many others.

He also performed with many renowned American Jazz artists such as Alex Sipiagin, Bobby Watson, David Binney, Edward Simon, Carl Allen, Gary Smulyan, Steve Grossman, Orrin Evans, Gene Jackson, Steve Lacy, Adam Nussbaum, Loston Harris, Mark Whitfield, Jon Davis, Hector Martignon, Clarence Penn Ari Hoenig and many others.

Since he moved to New York City he has been part of several outstanding recordings: Chamber Jazz (by Jacam Manricks, with Kevin Hays, Ari Hoenig); No Kiddin’ (by Jon Davis); Swingfully Yours (by Loston Harris, with Ian Hendrickson-Smith, Carmen Intorre), Captain Black Big Band (by Orrin Evans), Mother’s Touch (by Orrin Evans), Status Cymbal (by Bruce Cox with Aruan Ortiz, Abraham Burton). 

Gianluca Renzi has performed at some of the world’s most important jazz festivals: Umbria Jazz (Italy), Marciac Jazz Festival (France), San Francisco SFJazz (USA), Richmond Jazz Festival (USA), Istambul Jazz Festival (Turkey), Shanghai Jazz Festival (China), Jazz al Parque (Colombia), Jarasum Jazz Festival (South Korea), Kanazawa Jazz Festival (Japan), San Javier Jazz Festival (Spain), Guimaraes Jazz Festival (Portugal) and many more…

He has also performed at the greatest international jazz venues: Birdland Jazz Club (New York), Dizzy's at Lincoln Center (New York), Jazz Alley (Seattle), Velvet Note (Atlanta), Blue Note New York, Blue Note Tokyo (Japan), Blue Note Nagoya (Japan), Blue Note Beijing (China), Blue Note Napa, Billboard Osaka (Japan), Cotton Club Tokyo (Japan), Blue Note Milano (Italy), Sunside Jazz Club (Paris), Duc des Lombard (Paris), Bird's Basement Melbourne (Australia), Alexanderplatz Jazz Club (Rome), Smalls and Mezzrow Jazz Club (New York) and many others.

He also performed in many Performing Art Centers and Theaters all over the world.

His work as arranger has served many artists in the Jazz scene. In 2021 during the Covid pandemic he arranged the song "Involution" by Romanian pianist Sorin Zlat for a Global Big band composed by musicians from all around the world.

In 2012 and 2014 he composed and arranged some music for the CDs “Mother’s Touch” and “Captain Black Big Band” by pianist Orrin Evans released by Positone Records

In 2011 he arranged and composed music for jazz trio and chamber orchestra for the CD “Viva V.E.R.D.I.” by Giovanni Mirabassi released by CAM Jazz

In 2007 he arranged the music for a jazz sextet for the CD “Live at Casa del Jazz” by Rosario Giuliani. The CD was an homage to “Kind of Blue” by Miles Davis featuring an all-star band (Enrico Pieranunzi, Flavio Boltro, Emanuele Cisi, Rosario Giuliani, Fabrizio Sferra, Gianluca Renzi) released with a national magazine publication.

In 2007 he also arranged for a 10 pieces band his own CD “Charles and Joe”, a tribute to the music of Charles Mingus and Joe Henderson released by Wide Sound. He also arranged for sexted his first 2 records as a leader.

In 2011, Gianluca Renzi has also arranged and orchestrated all of the music (composed by Giovanni Mirabassi) of a musical realized by Roman Daudet Jahan for La Femis (Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Métiers de l’Image et du Son) the french state film school under the responsibility of the Ministry of Culture and Communication.

As educator, Gianluca Renzi was bass professor at the Saint Louis College of Music of Rome for several years. He also taught masterclasses in France, Italy, US, Japan and South Korea in Music Conservatories and other institutions.