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Paolo ConteItalian singer, pianist, composer and lawyer
Date of Birth: 06.01.1937
Country:  Italy |
Content:
Biography of Paolo Conte
Paolo Conte is an Italian singer, pianist, composer, and lawyer. He is known for his husky, resonant voice, reflective lyrical texts, lively, melodic, and romantic compositions that combine the sounds of Italian and Mediterranean music, jazz elements, and the festive atmosphere of South America. Conte's songs place him in the same league as famous French chanson singers Jacques Brel and Georges Brassens.
Early Life
Paolo Conte was born on January 6, 1937, in Asti, a small city in the northwest region of Piedmont, Italy. He grew up in Asti and remains its most famous citizen. Piedmont is a region with a strong historical connection to France, which is reflected not only in the local dialect but also in the culture. Although Asti and its inhabitants are now more attached to the Italian way of life, the Po Valley still preserves its uniqueness and traditions, with every family having its own history. Paolo was born into a family of lawyers. He is the son of a lawyer, grandson of a lawyer, and many generations of men in his family practiced law in the city center of Asti. Despite growing up in the city, Paolo spent a significant amount of time, especially during the war, on his grandfather's farm, and he fondly remembered these moments as crucial for understanding and respecting local customs and traditions.
Love for Music
Paolo grew up surrounded by music. His parents loved and understood serious classical music but were also open to contemporary music, resulting in a constant mix of Italian, French, and American songs in their home. At a fairly young age, Paolo and his younger brother Giorgio began taking piano lessons. However, they did not show much enthusiasm, and this traditional approach to music gradually faded away. After the war, American movies and records flooded into the country, and Paolo discovered jazz at a young age, developing a genuine passion for the genre.
Early Career
After completing school, Conte became a student at the University of Parma, where he studied law and began playing jazz at an amateur and semi-professional level. Fueled by his youthful enthusiasm, he played in various local and traveling bands, and he formed several musical groups, the most successful of which was the "Paul Conte Quartet," named in an American style. Paolo usually played the vibraphone and reached the peak of his talent in 1962 when he recorded the jazz standards collection "The Italian Way To Swing." However, the local critics did not approve of the album. Alongside his brother Giorgio, Paolo started composing songs and eventually pursued this path more seriously and independently while finding time for painting.
Solo Career and Success
While still working as a lawyer, Paolo gained public attention as a poet and musician in the late 1960s and early 1970s, writing several hits for Adriano Celentano and Patty Pravo. In 1974, he began his solo career with the release of his self-titled album, followed by other successful records, particularly "Aguaplano" (1987) and "Parole D'Amore Scritte a Macchina" (1990), which achieved great success throughout Europe. In 1998, Paolo Conte released his first compilation album, "The Best of Paolo Conte," in the United States. He has released a total of 25 full-length albums, with his latest, "Nelson," in 2010. Some of his songs have been featured in soundtracks for various films such as "I Am David" (2003), "Mickey Blue Eyes" (1999), "French Kiss" (1995), "Mostly Martha" (2001), and "Welcome to Collinwood" (2002). One of Conte's best hits, "Azzurro" (1968), performed by Adriano Celentano and later by many other artists, became an unofficial anthem for the Italian national football team during the 2006 World Cup.
