The 24th of May, IULM University held a concert of a famous pianist Danilo Rea to participate in the ev ents held in Milan for the Piano City Milano. It was an amazing opportunity to enjoy a jazz concert of one of the most appreciated pianists in the Italian culture in the IULM Rose Garden.

What is Piano City Milano?

It is an open to public music festival that celebrates piano music. It turns the city into a giant music hall, hosting these concerts in theaters and squares, gardens and courtyards, museums, galleries and private homes, center and suburbs. The festival aims to be open, free, and of high quality, involving various institutions, artists, and partners. It lasts for three days and it has been going on yearly since 2011.

Danilo Rea, the pianist who played in our gardens

For this occasion, IULM invited this celebrated artist to host a concert in the afternoon in the open air. Danilo Rea, born in Vicenza in 1957, is an Italian jazz pianist of extraordinary sensitivity and technique. His musical journey began in Rome and was shaped by classical, rock, and pop influences, eventually converging in jazz. First of all, he graduated from the Santa Cecilia Conservatory, where he also taught jazz until 2017. Rea launched his career with the historic Trio of Rome and accompanied leading Italian singers and songwriters such as Mina, Gino Paoli, and Claudio Baglioni.

In addition, he has collaborated with major jazz legends including Chet Baker, Lee Konitz, and Joe Lovano, and co-founded the acclaimed trio Doctor3. Moreover, from 2000 onward, he embraced solo piano performance, releasing several notable albums and composing music for film.

Recently, he has done innovative duos and ensembles that blend jazz with classical and operatic elements, such as “La Grande Opera in Jazz,” and ongoing collaborations with artists like Fiorella Mannoia. Rea continues to explore melody and improvisation through diverse artistic expressions, including his radio show Il Jazzista Imperfetto.

The aura created in the IULM garden

The previous Sunday our garden was shining with a sunny good weather at 6:30 pm when this concert started. There was a bar service available in open air who served drinks and snacks while the center of the garden was filled with white chairs and puffs on the green grass surrounded by the roses and flowers. The pianist was placed at the front of the square with his piano where he played for over an hour. The garden was filled of people who enjoyed the melodies in this unique atmosphere.