Mr funk off (DC)

Dario Cecchini

Born October 17th 1963, Cecchini began playing the drums very early on. At 14 he took up the saxophone and was initiated into the family rite of Jazz. At 22 he began playing baritone sax and flute. He entered the Conservatorio Cherubini in Florence in where he studied classical music and graduated in 1991.

Previous Jazz collaborations

• Lee Konitz Nonet
• Natalie Cole Band
• Kenny Wheeler Hot Eleven
• G.O.N. The National Orchestra of jazz musicians directed by B. Tommaso
• Lares
• Italian Big BAnd
• Orchestras of the Teatri Comunali in Florence and Genoa.

Cecchini has also accompanied various foreign and Italian Jazz artists:
P. Fresu, M. Giammarco, E. Pieranunzi, P. Tonolo, M. Urbani, J. Surman, C. Batista, L. Agudo, D. Liebnman, R. Beirach.

His many personal projects include:

• Funk Off
• Dario Cecchini Quartet
• Italian Secret Service (In collaboration with L. Pieri)

Collaborations with:

• "Megatones" di Maurizio Giammarco
• "Lo Squalo Giallo" di Leonardo Pieri
• Ti Sha Man Nah Saxophone Quartet

Jazz festivals and presentations:
Siena Jazz - Umbria Jazz - Pescara Jazz -.Ericsson Summer Festival (Lucca) - Clusone Jazz - Grenoble Jazz Festival (Francia)- Gray Cat (Grosseto) - Jazz in'it (Vignola) - Jazzy (Figline Valdarno) - Reggio Emilia Jazz - Sud Jazz (Palermo) - Jezziamoci (Matera) - Jazzitalia (Verona)- Pistoia Blues - Les Traversée Tatihou (Francia) - Grenoble Jazz Festival (Francia)- Wiesen Festival (Austria)- Karlruhe Festival (Germania)- Gurten Festival (Berna CH)- Blueballs Festival (Lucerne CH)- Paleo Festival (Nyon CH)- Nice Jazz Festival (Francia)- Budapest Festival (Ungheria)- Nandrin Festival (Liegi B)- Lokeren Festival (Lokeren B)

Cecchini also has a notable experience outside Jazz having collaborated and recorded with artists such as: James Taylor, Luisiana Red, Mike Turk, Zucchero, Giorgia, Gege' Telesforo, Dirotta su Cuba, Riccardo Tesi. He has  participated in television transmissions, recorded film soundtracks and composed music for TV spots. 

In 2002 he played with Jovanotti's group on the European "il quinto mondo" tour.

Since 1996 he has been playing in l'ORCHESTRA DI MUSICA LEGGERA DELLA RAI in Rome, which has accompanied various TV programmes.

Own recordings released to date:

• Italian Secret Service - ID super - Irma La Douce 503175-2
• Italian Secret Service - Control Yourself - RTP 0047
• Funk Off - Uh Yeah! - FMIV017
• Funk Off - Little Beat -  BCJ 001
• Ballroom Dance Band - Ballroom Dance Band - BDB009 

Songs by "Italian Secret Service" have been used on various compilations by record labels worldwide.
 
 Recording labels to date

• Universal
• Sony
• Irma Records
• YVP Music
• Nueva Rec.
• Splash
• Contempo Rec.
• RCA
• EMA Records
• Multipromo
• V V Jazz
• Fonè