Vincenzo Jannacci

Enzo Jannacci (3 June 1935 - 29 March 2013), born Vincenzo Jannacci, was an Italian singer-songwriter, pianist, actor and comedian, regarded as one of the most important artists in the post-war Italian music scene. Widely considered a master of musical art and cabaret, he wrote around thirty albums and soundtracks. A cardiologist in his day job, he is also regarded as one of the founders of Italian rock and roll music, along with Adriano Celentano, Luigi Tenco and Giorgio Gaber, with whom he collaborated for over forty years.

Born in Milan, Jannacci graduated in harmony, composition and conducting at the Milan Conservatory and later, in 1967, with a degree in medicine from the University of Milan. He started his musical career in 1956 as the keyboardist of the group Rocky Mountains, and in 1958 formed with Gaber the musical duo I due corsari. As a jazz pianist he accompanied great names such as Stan Getz, Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker and Bud Powell. He made his debut as a stand-up comedian in the Milan comedy club Derby, where he met Dario Fo and the duo Cochi & Renato.

His popularity grew with the recital 22 canzoni in 1964 and the song L'Armando, and in 1968 he topped the Italian hit parade with Vengo anch'io (no tu no). He took part in the Sanremo Music Festival several times, winning the Critics Award in 1990 with La fotografia, which was later translated into English by Ute Lemper. He also composed several film soundtracks, including the Academy Award-nominated Lina Wertmuller's Seven Beauties.