Pino Presti

Pino Presti > Italian bassist, multi-instrumentalist, arranger, composer, conductor, record producer and music producer for Italian TV. He was the first musician to get in 1988 the degree of 5th Dan 'black belt' in Shotokan Karate (World Union of Karate-do Organizations). Son of the noted violinist Arturo Prestipino, he was introduced to music at the age of six; began his career as a singer and bass player; first in Italy to play the Fender Jazz Bass. For several years he played with the best Italian arrangers. He was also a permanent member of Orchestra Augusto Martelli until his career evolved into working as a composer, arranger and conductor. Among his most important collaborations in jazz, pop, funk, soul, latin musi are: Mina, Gerry Mulligan, Astor Piazzolla (the bassline in the famous composition "Libertango" belongs to him), Wilson Pickett, Quincy Jones, Maynard Ferguson, Stéphane Grappelli, Severino Gazzelloni, Shirley Bassey, Franco Cerri, Shirley Bunnie Foy, Aldemaro Romero, Tullio De Piscopo. Pino Presti is considered one of the most important Italian arrangers and conductors.