Gianni Vancini

Performing Jazz Saxophonist

Italy

Most saxophone players know how large a role the reed plays. Using Légère reeds has set my mind at ease. I immediately realized how quickly I've stopped thinking about weather conditions, humidity, or thinking to myself Did I pack the reed well?, or Let's hope it will last until the end of the gig!. Légère reeds allowed me to stay focused on my playing. Believe me, they work!

Gianni Vancini has become "a name" in today's US contemporary jazz scene. His solo career started in 2010 with the release of his first album "SOULS UNITED". Entirely made in the Netherlands with famous producer Thomas Bank, the album features lots of great guest appearances like: Eric Marienthal, Umberto Tozzi, Andrea Mingardi. SOULS UNITED soon became a great passpartout for the United States, Gianni's first single "Grapes" gained significant airplay in the major radio charts.

"Italian master saxophonist Gianni Vancini takes the coolest parts of contemporary music and blends it together for a sophisticated, funky, stylish pop sound that reaches deep into the groove bag to deliver upbeat jazz and feel good melodies akin to David Sanb orn and Grover Washington, Jr! SOULS UNITED is the affable musician's debut recording and co-produced by Thomas Bank and recorded in Amsterdam. The international release features special guests Eric Marienthal, Umberto Tozzi and Andrea Mingardi. This rising star's sax tone is rich and smooth... pleasing to the ear yet offering enough depth to capture the attention of aficionados and Smooth Jazz enthusiasts alike. The excitement Gianni captures here reminds me of how I felt when I first heard Sanborn's UPFRONT... cool, suave, a little gritty and a lot sexy! Don't miss this new discovery... Gianni Vancini's SOULS UNITED is yet another one of Italy's inspired contributions to the arts! Grazie!"
Sandy Shore - Smoothjazz.com

In 2012 Gianni started to explore the US music scene also sharing the stage with big names in the industry such as Gerald Albright, Eric Marienthal, Jeff Lorber, Eric Darius, Dave Koz, Elan Trotman, just to name a few.

In the same year he started to work on his new project, "GET YOUR GROOVE ON". Released in January 25th 2014 and produced by keyboard player Greg Manning, the album has been recorded in L.A. with an all-star band: Ricky Lawson (drums), Alex Al (bass), Sheldon Reynolds (guitar), Darryl Crooks (guitar), Darryl Williams (bass). Kirk Whalum, Jeff Lorber, Selina Albright, Terri Wollman, Kenya Hathaway are some of the featured guests.

In 2013 Gianni has been invited to be part of the "Dave Koz Cruise & Friends at Sea" to promote his new album and on January 25th 2014 he did his SOLD OUT album release party at the famous Jazz Club "Spaghettini" in Seal Beach.

Gianni is currently working on promoting is passion for italian wine&food tradition and on what he use to call "his first love", the classical saxophone literature.

"Gianni Vancini is one of the most exciting sax players on the scene today. You can hear the emotion that comes though his horn the moment he starts to play. It's clear that this fine musician from Italy will soon be known around that world!" Eric Marienthal

Looking back

Born in Mirandola on May 14, 1978, on May 14, 1978, he studied saxophone under the instruction of Angelo Gabrielli and graduated with highest honors at the “Vecchi-Tonelli” Master Institute of Musical Studies in Carpi (MO) – ITALY.
In 1996 he enrolled in a stage and workshop offered by the New World School of the Arts in Miami and played in concerts presented by them at the Lincoln Theater in Miami as well. In the following years, he refined his studies in jazz music participating in courses offered by world famous musicians such as Eric Marienthal, Bob Franceschini and Achille Succi.
In the working field he has had numerous duet experiences with pianists Carlo Guaitoli and Paolo Andreoli performing in prestigious Italian theaters such as the Regio Theater of Parma, The Valli in Reggio Emilia and the Ventidio Basso in Ascoli Piceno.
Among the classic composers of the saxophone literature he has studied the music of Ibert, Debussy, Bonneau, Vellones, Singelee, Piazzolla and Gershwin.
In the contemporary music field, thanks to his collaborations with various artists, he has been featured in many television shows such as Pavarotti International, the Festival di San Remo, Roxy Bar, Video Italia, Domenica In, Uno di Noi, Un Disco per L’Estate, Saint Vincent, Scalo 76 and Domenica 5.
He has worked occasionally with musical talents such as Antonella Ruggiero, Spagna, Marco Masini, Fausto Leali, Enrico Ruggeri, Gianni Morandi, Lucio Dalla, Ron, Stadio, Barbara Cola, Katia Ricciarelli, Ami Stewart, Kid Creole and the Coconuts and Carl Anderson and many others.
From 1997 he has been continuiously collaborating with singer/songwriter Andrea Mingardi and since 2002 with Umberto Tozzi. Together they have played on some of the most prestigious stages like the Ariston Theater (Sanremo 2005), the Olimpya in Paris, La Quinta Vergara (Vina del Mar-Chile), La Fenice Theater in Venice, Teatro Sistina, Il Gran Teatro and the Auditorium in Rome as well as in more than 10 countries worldwide.
He is entitled to teach Master Class at national and international level.