La Musique double

Luca Ciarla is one of the most unique and innovative emerging artists presenting solo recitals today. A violinist, pianist and composer, Luca draws together various musical styles, traditions and sounds, creating an attractive mix of virtuoso violin, jazz piano, originals and improvisation. His concerts have been acclaimed by audiences in Mexico, Europe and throughout the United States.

A native of Termoli, Italy, Luca began playing violin and piano at the age of 8 - by age 12 he was studying classical music at the conservatory and exploring jazz on his own. He received the Diploma di Violino in 1993, and then studied violin and chamber music at the European Community's Music School of Saluzzo. In 1996 Luca moved to the United States to pursue a Master's degree in violin performance at Indiana University, where he also studied improvisation with David Baker. Currently a violin teacher at the University of Arizona, Luca acknowledges Mark Rush and Antonio Salvatore as his violin mentors, and Michael Lucas, Jeff Haskell and David Baker as important influences in jazz and piano. The winner of a variety of significant competitions and awards in Italy and the United States, Luca has also received, in collaboration with pianists Sean Schulze, the prestigious Chamber Music America 1999/2000 Residency Program Award.

His first solo CD, "sister classical & brother jazz" has been released in August 2000 by the Italian label Bajka Music (Rome). In August 2001 Luca moved to Hong Kong to collaborate with important orchestras such as the City Chamber Orchestra and to perform in the best jazz clubs in town. He became the artistic director of Gecko Lounge and founded Violipiano Productions, a music production company that handles his musical activities.

In April 2002 Luca completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree with a dissertation entitled "Maurice Ravel's Tzigane: a Link between the Classical and the Hungarian-Gypsy Traditions." He has devoted much time to the study of Maurice Ravel and the Gypsy music of Eastern Europe.

In Summer 2003 Luca came back to live in Italy, in his native region, where he funded "Music, Wines & Molise," a music festival that presents international artists and has been highly rated by audience and critics, also contributing to the enhancement of Molise Region and its best products. "…a perfect connection among music, Bacchus, and the most beautiful sceneries of Molise" (Le Libertà).

In 2004 he organized the festival "Due Sponde un Mare", focusing on the idea of "Adriatic" culture and the festival "Beauty from the Heart of Italy," held in Hong Kong. Violipiano became a record label and a music publishing company, realizing the CDs "Pura Utopia" and "Live at Fringe Club."

In the last years Luca has played with musicians such as Daniele Scannapieco, Simone Zanchini, Raffaello Pareti, Walter Paoli, Maurizio Rolli, Max Ionata, Samuele Garofoli, Nicola Angelucci, Blaine Whittaker, Sylvain Gagnon, Anthony Fernandes, ect., presenting new musical projects centered mainly on his compositions.