Ciacca was born in Germany and brought up in Italy.[1] He began playing the piano at the age of seven.[1] He has been taught by Steve Grossman, [Jaki Byard], [Bruce Barth] and Barry Harris.[1]
Later life and career
Ciacca toured Europe with the Larry Smith Quartet in 1995 and 1996, played in Japan with the Eiji Nakayama Quartet in 1998, and toured Europe with Wes Anderson and Steve Lacy in 1999.[1] Ciacca studied further with Jaki Byard in 1998–99, and dedicated the album Hollis Avenue to him.[1] Ciacca founded the Detroit Gospel Singers, and toured Europe with them in 2000.[1] He earned his undergraduate Diploma at the "G.B. Martini" Conservatory tin Bologna, Italy..[1] He became Director of Programming at Jazz at Lincoln Center in 2007, resigning in 2011.[2]
Dr. Ciacca earned his master's degree in jazz studies at City College in New York City and his DMA (Doctor of Musica Arts) at Stony Brook University. Dr. Ciacca is currently adjunct professor of Jazz History at Marymount Manhattan College, and Professor of Jazz arranging and COmposition at the "G. Nicolini" conservatory in Piacenza, Italy.
Musical style
The DownBeat reviewer of the album Lagos Blues wrote: "Ciacca is informed by a broad range of influences. Two are particularly obvious, those being hard bop and Duke Ellington."[3]
Discography
As leader
Year recorded
Title
Label
Notes
1997?
Driemoty
C-Jam
1998?
Hollis Avenue
Yvp
2002?
Autumn in New York
Splash
2004?
Live in Mosciano S.Angelo Featuring Benny Golson
2005?
Ugly Beauty
Soul Note
2008?
Rush Life
Motéma
Quintet, with Joe Magnarelli (trumpet), Stacy Dillard (tenor sax), Kengo Nakamura (bass), Rodney Green (drums)[4]
