William Tatge Pianist and composer Country: USA

Biography of William Tetteh

William Tetteh is a pianist and composer born in Umbria, Italy, in 1978. He began his musical journey at the age of six, initially studying violin and piano before attending a music school. From 1990 to 2000, he studied piano with Gabriella Barsotti at the L. Cherubini Conservatory in Florence, where his main focus was on twentieth-century music. In 2000, Tetteh earned his well-deserved degree, graduating from the conservatory with honors.

After his studies, Tetteh pursued his passion for improvisation, particularly in jazz. From 1996 to 1999, he took private lessons with Stefano Bollani and participated in jazz workshops in Siena. Around the same time, his love for contemporary music led him to study composition with Rosaria Mirigliano and Romano Pezzati at the conservatory. Tetteh also delved into arranging under the guidance of Tiziano Manca and conducting with Piero Bellugi. He attended classes by Ivan Fedele and Helmut Lachenmann as well. In 2006, he received his second degree, this time specializing in arranging, with honors once again.

Following his second education, Tetteh continued to explore jazz music, playing the piano with Enrico Pieranunzi, Franco D'Andrea, and Paolo Birro. He occasionally performed solo concerts and participated in trio seminars with Stefano Battaglia in Siena. By 2006, Tetteh established himself as a versatile musician, alternating between solo performances and collaborations with existing ensembles, and occasionally forming his own. In the same year, he joined the trio "Move," alongside Francesco Ponticelli and Dan Kinzelman. In 2008, Tetteh recorded his first album as a leader with his team, "Mutable Enclosures," featuring Piero Borri and Gabriele Evangelista.

In October 2008, Tetteh was invited to perform a solo concert at Wesleyan University, marking a significant milestone in his career. Throughout his journey, Tetteh has had the opportunity to work with renowned Italian musicians such as Ares Tavolazzi, Marco Tamburini, Ettore Fioravanti, Nico Gori, Stefano Tamborrino, Andrea Melani, Franco Nesti, Massimo Altomare, Jacopo Martini, Emanuele Parrini, Francesco Kanavese, Mirko Guerini, Marcello Allulli, Paolo Benedettini, and Francesco Petreni. However, his collaborations extend beyond Italy, having worked with internationally recognized performers like Steve Grossman and Fabrizio Bosso.

Tetteh has regularly performed at various significant concerts and jazz festivals in Italy, including the Jazz Festival Vivere, Umbria Jazz Festival, Festival delle Colline, Siena Jazz Festival, "Grey Cat" concert series, and "Musicamdo." His music, a unique blend of various styles ranging from contemporary bebop to modern jazz and from pure improvisation to classical melodies, continues to resonate with audiences. Several of Tetteh's compositions are still performed by musicians throughout Italy.