Gianluca Petrella

After graduating from the Bari Conservatory in 1994, trombonist and Bari, Italy, native Gianluca Petrella began playing in saxophonist Roberto Ottaviano's band and became lead trombonist in the OFP Orchestra, a gig that introduced him to Carla Bley and Steve Coleman. In 1997 he joined trumpeter Enrico Rava on tour, playing jazz festivals across Canada. The Auand label released his first album as leader, X-Ray, in 2001. The 2006 Blue Note album Indigo4 was named after his band, which included Francesco Bearzatti on saxophone, Paolino Dalla Porta on bass, and Fabio Accardi on drums. Petrella is also involved in the Bread & Tomato Trio with Accardi and keyboardist Michele Papadia, plus the Domino Quartet with saxophonist Sean Bergin, bassist Antonio Borghini, and drummer Hamid Drake. ~ David Jeffries