Luigi Massimo, known as Gigi, Cifarelli was born in Gropello Cairoli, Pavia, on May 25, 1955.
He began playing the guitar at the age of seven with the aim of accompanying himself while singing. His early influences were The Beatles and Italian music of the time. By the age of ten, he was already part of “oratory” music groups, often composed of older musicians. At twelve, he discovered Jimi Hendrix, who became a key reference point and ignited his passion for the blues.
Later, he delved into acoustic guitar, particularly the country-blues world, drawing inspiration from artists like James Taylor, Crosby Stills & Nash, David Bromberg, Hot Tuna, Leo Kottke, Merle Travis, and Doc Watson, among others.
By the age of 16-17, he was performing in prominent blues groups and gaining experience with “authentic” blues musicians, such as the late Texan Cooper Terry. At the time, he worked as a computer programmer, largely due to his family’s disapproval of his musical passion—his father, a Carabinieri officer, considered it "nonsense." At 24, after a period of frustration and personal struggles, Gigi left everything behind, including his family home, to dedicate himself entirely to what he felt aligned with his true nature: music. He pursued formal studies in classical music at a conservatory—earning a diploma in just nine months—and began exploring jazz as a self-taught guitarist. He also forged a significant friendship with Filippo Daccò, who became a mentor and called Gigi “the best musical talent he had ever encountered.”
Simultaneously, he began teaching in various schools across Lombardy, both public and private, a role he held for seven years. He eventually abandoned institutional teaching due to the demands of his growing concert schedule but continued to offer private lessons and master classes.
By the mid-1980s, Cifarelli was a highly sought-after artist. In 1985, he recorded the album Coca & Rhum, produced by Alberto Radius and Guitar Club. This groundbreaking “fusion” album, the first of its kind in Italy, catapulted him into the spotlight. For five consecutive years, he was voted "Best Italian Jazz Fusion Guitarist" by critics and audiences alike, eventually being placed “out of competition” in a special category created for perennial winners.
During this time, Gigi toured with major artists, including Sam Rivers. His rock-blues versatility also led him to collaborate with pop stars like Tullio De Piscopo during the peak of De Piscopo’s career, performing on television, at Festivalbar, and at prestigious jazz venues. In 1986, he joined Brian Auger, the legendary British organist, in a powerful quartet with Alfredo Golino on drums and Julius Farmer on bass, performing extensively in Italy and abroad. He also played with Delmar Brown’s Bush Rock, alongside Jossy Fine and Kenwood Dennard.
In Milan, Gigi became a regular at Capolinea, Italy’s premier jazz club, where he performed with jazz legends such as Chick Corea, Jack DeJohnette, Johnny Griffin, Marc Johnson, Elvin Jones, and many more. The club’s owner, Giorgio Vanni, gave Gigi free rein, making Capolinea his artistic home.
In 1989, Gigi met vocalist Angela Baggi, forming a duo that revitalized the Milan jazz scene. Their blend of jazz with blues and vocal performance drew large crowds, and Angela’s voice, under Gigi’s guidance, transitioned from pop to jazz with remarkable finesse. This partnership reignited Gigi’s passion for singing, leading to the creation of Kitchen Blues in 1991. Sponsored by Eros Ramazzotti and released under the DDD label, the album received critical acclaim, selling thousands of copies and earning praise for Gigi’s skills as a guitarist, composer, and crooner.
In 1994, he performed at a prestigious guitar meeting in Issoudun, France, invited by Marcel Dadi, who admired his style and promised future collaborations. In 1995, Gigi was invited to the Les Nuits de la Guitare festival in Corsica, sharing the stage with Robben Ford, Mike Stern, John Scofield, and others. His performance earned him the title of "super-guitarist" from the French press, solidifying his international reputation.
Over the years, Gigi has collaborated with numerous institutions and artists, participating in seminars with icons like Mike Stern, Pat Martino, and Larry Carlton. Critics have described him as a jazz musician who “embraces an open style, drawing influences that attract younger audiences to jazz.”
Though his style is unmistakably unique, Gigi openly acknowledges the influence of Wes Montgomery and George Benson, to whom he has dedicated compositions in Coca & Rhum and Kitchen Blues. Despite his success, Gigi has always shunned celebrity conventions, preferring intimate club performances where his charisma and showmanship shine. Outside of music, he has a deep passion for cycling.
Cifarelli is available for performances ranging from trios to big bands, as well as solo or duo theater shows, where his talent and communicative power are most evident
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