Composer, double bassist and conductor, Paolo Damiani is one of the most respected figures in European jazz. Having collaborated with artists such as Pat Metheny, Anthony Braxton and Kenny Wheeler, he combines compositional depth with a refined and exploratory musical language. Former director of the French National Jazz Orchestra and founder of the Jazz Department at the Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome, he continues to shape new generations of musicians while performing on major international stages. He is currently President of the Italian Jazz Federation, representing a national network of festivals, musicians and educators, and following leading figures such as Paolo Fresu and Ada Montellanico.