Paolo Conte
Italian singer-songwriter and lawyer with a grainy, resonant voice.
Paolo Conte (born 6 January 1937) is an Italian lawyer, singer, pianist, and songwriter. His voice is famously grainy and resonant. His music blends Italian and Mediterranean styles with jazz, boogie, French chanson, and Latin American rhythms.
Conte grew up in Asti, Piedmont. His parents were devoted jazz fans, so he and his brother Giorgio spent much of their youth listening to early jazz and blues records. He earned a law degree from the University of Parma and began working as an assistant solicitor alongside his father, while also studying music. He learned trombone, vibraphone, and piano, played in several local bands, and then formed the Paul Conte Quartet with his brother on drums. Their debut EP was *The Italian Way To Swing*. In 1964, the Conte brothers signed with Clan Celentano, and Paolo made his debut as a composer with Vanna Brosio’s “Ed ora te ne vai.” Over the following years, often working with lyricist Vito Pallavicini, he wrote hits for Adriano Celentano (“Siamo la coppia più bella del mondo” in 1967, and “Azzurro” in 1968), Caterina Caselli (“Insieme a te non ci sto più,” 1968), Fausto Leali (“Deborah,” 1968), and Enzo Jannacci (“Messico e nuvole,” 1970).
In 1974, producer Lilli Greco persuaded Conte to record his first album, *Paolo Conte*, which included the classic “Onda su onda.” The next year, he released another self-titled album featuring “Genova per noi,” “La topolino amaranto,” and “La ricostruzione del Mocambo.” He gave his first solo concerts in 1976 at Club Tenco in Sanremo and Teatro Laboratorio in Verona. His third album, *Un gelato al limon* (1979), was produced by Claudio Fabi and contained two well-known songs, “Bartali” and “Sudamerica.” That album and its 1981 follow-up *Paris Milonga*—which included his signature song “Via con me”—marked his breakthrough. In 1983, he left RCA Italiana for CGD and released another self-titled album, which won two Targa Tenco prizes for best album and best song (“Sotto le stelle del jazz”) and signaled a clearer turn toward jazz. After that album, he toured extensively in Europe and North America, finding particular success in France, where he played six consecutive sold-out nights at Olympia. His first live album, *Concerti* (1985), was recorded at Théâtre de la Ville in Paris, Teatro Morlacchi in Perugia, and Teatro alle Vigne in Lodi. In 1987, he released the double album *Aguaplan
- born
- 6 January 1937
- field
- Singer, pianist, songwriter, lawyer
- nationality
- Italian
- known_for
- Distinctly grainy, resonant voice; fusion of Italian and Mediterranean sounds with jazz, boogie, French chanson, and Latin-American rhythms
Lore & Background
Conte was born in Asti, Piedmont, to parents who were avid jazz fans. He and his brother Giorgio spent their formative years listening to early jazz and blues recordings. After obtaining a law degree at the University of Parma, Conte worked as an assistant solicitor with his father while pursuing musical studies. He learned trombone, vibraphone, and piano, and formed the Paul Conte Quartet with his brother on drums, making his record debut with the EP The Italian Way To Swing. In 1964, he was put under contract by Clan Celentano and made his official debut as composer with Vanna Brosio's "Ed ora te ne vai". Over the following years, often paired with lyricist Vito Pallavicini, he penned hit songs for Adriano Celentano, Caterina Caselli, Fausto Leali, and Enzo Jannacci.
In 1974, at his producer Lilli Greco's insistence, Conte recorded his first album, Paolo Conte, containing his classic "Onda su onda". He released a second eponymous album in 1975, and in 1976 held his first solo concerts at Club Tenco in Sanremo and Teatro Laboratorio in Verona. His 1979 album Un gelato al limon featured "Bartali" and "Sudamerica". The 1981 followup Paris Milonga included his signature song "Via con me", marking his breakout. In 1983, he moved to CGD and released a third eponymous album, winning two Targa Tenco prizes and embracing jazz more explicitly. He then held long European and North American tours, gaining particular success in France, where he performed at Olympia for six consecutive sold-out concerts.
Reader's Guide
Paolo Conte's significance lies in his unique fusion of Italian and Mediterranean musical traditions with jazz, boogie, French chanson, and Latin-American rhythms, creating a distinctive style that has influenced Italian popular music. His career spans decades, from writing hits for major Italian artists in the 1960s to achieving international success with albums like The Best of Paolo Conte in the late 1990s. His songs have been used extensively in film soundtracks, with "Via con me" appearing in over 40 films. Conte has received numerous awards, including multiple Targa Tenco prizes, the Nastro d'Argento and David di Donatello for Best Score, and the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. His work as a composer, performer, and arranger has cemented his legacy as a major figure in Italian music, with his musical comedy Razmataz premiering in London and Cannes. His 2008 album Psiche topped the Italian hit parade for the first time in his career.
Did You Know?
- Conte worked as an assistant solicitor with his father while pursuing music.
- His signature song "Via con me" has been used in over 40 films.
- He won the Targa Tenco for best album four times (for Paolo Conte, Aguaplano, 900, and Elegia).
- Conte was awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 1999.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Paolo Conte?
Paolo Conte is an Italian singer, pianist, and songwriter born on 6 January 1937, instantly recognizable for his rough, gravelly vocal tone. He is equally a qualified lawyer who practiced alongside his father in Asti, Piedmont.
What makes Paolo Conte's musical style so distinctive?
His sound fuses jazz, boogie, French chanson, and Latin-American rhythms with traditional Italian and Mediterranean melodies, creating a genre-defying blend rarely heard elsewhere. Combined with his grainy, resonant voice, this gives every performance a warm, almost smoky character.
What is Paolo Conte's profession outside of music?
Conte earned a law degree from the University of Parma and worked as an assistant solicitor in his father's practice. He maintained this legal career in parallel with his studies and performances throughout his early life.
Where did Paolo Conte grow up and what shaped his early musical taste?
He spent his childhood in Asti, Piedmont, where both parents were devoted listeners of early jazz and blues records. He and his brother Giorgio absorbed those recordings from a young age, planting the seeds for Conte's lifelong devotion to the genre.
What instruments does Paolo Conte play besides singing?
Conte is a skilled pianist and also learned trombone and vibraphone during his formative years. His piano work remains central to his live shows and studio recordings.
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