Dino Betti van der Noot
Italian jazz composer and big band leader.
Dino Betti van der Noot (born 1936) is an Italian composer of jazz. He was born in Rapallo; his mother and a cousin were classical pianists. He trained at the Scuola Musicale of Pavia from 1946 to 1951, took private lessons in Milan in 1959, and studied at Berklee College of Music during the 1970s. In Italy, he led small groups from 1957 to 1960, then stepped away from music for the entire 1960s. He later ran an amateur big band from 1969 to 1972, and professional big bands in 1982 and again in 1987 in New York City. He also serves as chairman of B Communications, an advertising agency based in Milan. His bands have included musicians such as Bill Evans, Paul Bley, Paul Motian, Steve Swallow, Donald Harrison, and many others. Critics have described his compositions as colorful narratives that reveal a sensitive, inventive melodist and a master of orchestral skills. His work has earned multiple Record of the Year awards from the Musica Jazz Critics’ Poll (1987, 1989, 2013, 2015) and the Dischi Critics’ Poll (1989), as well as Record of the Decade honors from both polls (1989). He was named Jazz Composer of the Year by the Musica Jazz Critics’ Poll in 2007 and 2009. His discography includes albums such as *Basement Big Band* (1977), *A Midwinter Night’s Dream* (1983), *The Stuff Dreams Are Made On* (2013), *Notes Are But the Wind* (2015), and *Let Us Recount Our Dreams* (2023).
- born
- 1936
- field
- Jazz composer
- nationality
- Italian
- known_for
- Jazz composition and big band leadership
Lore & Background
Van der Noot was born in Rapallo to a mother and cousin who were classical pianists. He studied at the Scuola Musicale of Pavia from 1946 to 1951, then privately in Milan in 1959, and later at Berklee College of Music in the 1970s. In Italy, he led combos from 1957 to 1960 but was not active in music during the 1960s. He led an amateur big band from 1969 to 1972 and a professional big band in 1982 and again in 1987 in New York City. He is chairman of B Communications, an advertising agency in Milan.
Reader's Guide
Dino Betti van der Noot is recognized as an Italian jazz composer whose work has earned multiple Record of the Year awards from the Musica Jazz Critics' Poll (1987, 1989, 2013, 2015) and the Dischi Critics' Poll (1989), as well as Record of the Decade honors from both polls in 1989. He was named Jazz Composer of the Year by the Musica Jazz Critics' Poll in 2007 and 2009. His discography spans from 1977 to 2023, including albums such as 'The Stuff Dreams Are Made On' (2013) and 'Notes Are But Wind' (2015), both of which won Record of the Year. His compositions are described as narratives rich with color, revealing a sensitive melodist and master of orchestral skills. He has collaborated with numerous musicians including Bill Evans, Paul Bley, Paul Motian, Steve Swallow, and Donald Harrison.
Did You Know?
- He was born in Rapallo and his mother and cousin were classical pianists.
- He studied at Berklee College of Music in the 1970s.
- He led a professional big band in New York City in 1987.
- He is chairman of B Communications, an advertising agency in Milan.
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