Giulio Carmassi
Italian multi-instrumentalist and member of Pat Metheny Unity Group.
Giuliano Giulio Giacomo Carmassi (born February 21, 1981, in Lucca, Italy) is an Italian multi-instrumentalist known for his extensive work as a performer, arranger, composer, and producer. He has contributed to a wide range of recordings and film scores, and was a member of the Pat Metheny Unity Group.
- born
- February 21, 1981, Lucca, Italy
- field
- Multi-instrumentalist, singer, film composer, arranger, producer, engineer
- nationality
- Italian
- known_for
- Member of Pat Metheny Unity Group; album Kin winning Down Beat album of the year
Lore & Background
Giulio Carmassi was born in Lucca, Italy, and has worked as a multi-instrumentalist, singer, film composer, arranger, producer, and engineer. He has recorded on a vast array of instruments including bass guitar, bells, cello, clarinet, cornet, drums, flugelhorn, flute, French horn, glockenspiel, electric guitar, horn, keyboards, melodica, organ, piano, recorder, alto saxophone, synthesizer, trombone, trumpet, vibraphone, vocals, whistling, and the Wurlitzer organ.
Carmassi was a member of the Pat Metheny Unity Group and appeared on the albums Kin (←→) (2014) and The Unity Sessions (2016). Kin won album of the year in the annual readers' poll in Down Beat magazine. He has also worked with artists such as Anne Drummond, Bryan Scary, Francois Moutin, Keith Carlock, Lew Soloff, Mark Egan, Oli Rockberger, Oz Noy, Steve Gadd, and Tim Lefebvre.
He arranged and played piano on Emmy Rossum's album Sentimental Journey, and worked with British singer Ginger on the album Hey Hello, which reached No. 1 on the UK rock charts. Carmassi composed the score for the films Somewhere Tonight and Adventures of Serial Buddies, and co-composed the score for Please Baby Please with Bryan Scary.
Reader's Guide
Giulio Carmassi's significance lies in his versatility as a multi-instrumentalist and his contributions to both jazz and popular music. His membership in the Pat Metheny Unity Group placed him in a prominent ensemble, and the album Kin received critical recognition as album of the year in Down Beat's readers' poll. His discography includes solo albums such as Old and New (2006) and The Innocent (2016), as well as collaborations with a wide range of artists across genres. Carmassi's work as a film composer for independent films and his role as an arranger and pianist on Emmy Rossum's Sentimental Journey further demonstrate his broad musical range. His legacy is that of a highly skilled and adaptable musician who has worked across recording, performance, and composition, contributing to projects that span jazz, rock, and film music.
Did You Know?
- Carmassi has recorded on over 20 different instruments, including the Wurlitzer organ and whistling.
- He was a member of the Pat Metheny Unity Group, which released the album Kin (←→) in 2014.
- Kin won album of the year in the annual readers' poll in Down Beat magazine.
- He composed the score for the film Somewhere Tonight starring John Turturro.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Giulio Carmassi?
Giulio Carmassi (born February 21, 1981, in Lucca, Italy) is an Italian jazz multi-instrumentalist who works as a performer, arranger, composer, producer, and engineer. He is perhaps best known internationally for his tenure in the Pat Metheny Unity Group.
What does Giulio Carmassi actually do in a band?
Carmassi handles a broad range of duties beyond simply playing: he arranges, composes, produces, and engineers the music he is involved with. In the Unity Group context he contributed as a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist rather than being limited to a single instrument.
What is the Pat Metheny Unity Group and what was Carmassi's role in it?
The Unity Group is a rotating ensemble led by guitarist Pat Metheny that brings together musicians from different countries and genres. Carmassi joined the group as a multi-instrumentalist and singer, representing the Italian jazz scene within that international lineup.
Has Giulio Carmassi won any major awards?
Yes—his album Kin was named Album of the Year by Down Beat, a leading publication in the jazz world. That recognition helped cement his reputation as a standout figure in contemporary Italian jazz.
Why is Giulio Carmassi important to Italian jazz?
Carmassi is one of the most visible Italian jazz musicians to have worked at the highest international level, bridging the Lucca-based Italian scene with global projects like the Unity Group. His versatility as a composer, arranger, and producer has also influenced a generation of younger Italian jazz artists.
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