Paolo Conte is difficult to confuse with anyone else. This composer and musician is called "Italian unique" for the versatility of his talent and special manner of performance.
Paolo Conte is one of the most charismatic and distinctive Italian musicians, whose name is widely known both in his homeland and abroad. Today he is a veteran of Italian culture who has made a name for himself over the years as a composer, songwriter, performer and pianist. Conte created his own unique style, skillfully combining elements of jazz and variety theater, and at the same time he clearly hears the irony and lightness inherent in the musician.
Biography of Paolo Conte
Paolo Conte was born in Asti (Piedmont) in 1937. From an early age, together with his younger brother Giorgio (who, incidentally, also became a famous composer), Paolo studied singing and playing the piano. Initially, the intensive music lessons were the initiative of the boys' father - a notary by profession and a passionate lover of jazz. Despite his success in the musical field, Paolo followed in his father's footsteps and became a lawyer. He worked as a lawyer until the age of 30, but at the same time played the vibraphone in several local jazz bands.
However, gradually the passion for art prevailed. In 1962 Conte performed for the first time to the general public with his ensemble Paolo Conte Quartet. However, even this event did not mark the beginning of a professional career. From time to time, the quartet was invited to perform at different venues, but there was no talk of fame and recognition yet. Several years later, Conte became seriously interested in composing music: it was at this time that he realized that he was ready to study music for the rest of his life.
Early creativity
It was in 1965, and Paolo's first solo album was released only in 1974. All these years the Italian master has developed and improved as a composer. He was fortunate enough to work with lyricists like Vito Pallavicini or Giorgio Calabrese, as well as his brother Giorgio. The result was hits for pop stars of that era.
- La Coppia Più Bella del Mondo and Azzuro for Adriano Celentano;
- Insieme a Te Non Ci Sto Più for Katerina Caselli;
- Tripoli 69 for Patti Right;
- Genova per Noi and Onda Su Onda for Bruno Lauzi and many others.
- By the way, the last two hits were included in the solo album of Paolo Conte himself, becoming the most beloved compositions.
With the light hand of producer Italo Greco, Paolo Conte seriously thought about the full-fledged career of a solo artist only in 1974, when he was 37 years old. He called his first albums very simply - Paolo Conte. Both compilations were successful. Conte demonstrated an original, non-standard musical vision of the material and declared himself as a person who will remain in modern musical culture for a long time. In his work, deep philosophy and satirical clowning, pathos and a sense of humor are surprisingly combined. The rhythms of jazz ballads, tango, swing and variety shows are heard in his works.
In the eighties, Conte continued to release equally successful albums, the most notable of which was Paris Milonga (1982). This collection finally confirmed the special position of the musician in the pantheon of Italian vocal masters. The most impressive from an aesthetic point of view were the following compositions by Paolo Conte.
- Alle Prese con una Verde Milonga;
- Via con Elle;
- Diavolo Rosso;
- Sotto le Stelle del Jazz;
- Bartali.
At the same time, the musician begins to perform more and more on stage, showing the public his cosmopolitan views. Conte very quickly turned into an "Italian unique" who found admirers of his talent in France, Switzerland, Germany and other European countries.
Music experts call the next albums of Paolo Conte masterpieces. We are talking about two completely different collections - the personal and characteristic of the musician Aguaplano and the qualitatively new Parole d'Amore Scritte a Macchina. It is in the last album that Paolo boldly experiments with new instruments and arrangements, achieving an amazing effect.
The heyday and end of a career
In the 90s, Conte's touring schedule was very tight, and after him came international recognition (one of the albums was released in the USA). During this period, Paolo wrote a little less. However, when he did this, his creations were recognized as absolutely flawless. In parallel with music and concerts, the composer began to implement another project that he had dreamed of for many years - the musical Razmataz. As a result, this ambitious project was launched in several formats at once: stage show, music disc and multimedia DVD collection.
Paolo Contre did his best for his musical. He not only wrote the music and lyrics, but also designed all the costumes and sets on his own. The efforts were not in vain: the musical was greeted with enthusiasm both by the public and by musicologists. For this work, the Italian master has received numerous awards, including the Librex-Guggenheim Eugenio Montale Poetry Prize.
At the age of 67, Conte, who was still as creative, decided to end his solo career with the melancholic and graceful disc Elegia. This album was named the best studio work by a musician in the last 15 years. Of course, Paolo Conte's creative activity did not end there. He continues to take part in concerts, writes music and releases live albums. Not without irony inherent in the composer. For example, the 2010 Nelson collection was dedicated to the musician's beloved dog and, accordingly, was named after the dog.
Currently, Paolo Conte continues to create. He writes music for theater and cinema. His works are included in the collections of the largest music labels. For example, the fully instrumental Amazing Game disc. It does not have the author's signature manner of singing, but the music itself is multifaceted and deep. Conte still skillfully combines the traditions of vaudeville, chanson, reggaitime, jazz and Neapolitan folk music in his work, and at the same time demonstrates virtuoso playing the piano.
