Biography
Paolo Conte (born 6 January 1937) is an Italian singer, pianist, songwriter, and lawyer recognized for his uniquely grainy, resonant voice. His music blends Italian and Mediterranean influences with jazz, boogie, French chanson, and Latin-American rhythms.
Born in Asti, Piedmont, Conte grew up immersed in jazz and blues, thanks to his parents' passion for the genre. After earning a law degree from the University of Parma, he worked as an assistant solicitor alongside his father while continuing his musical education. He mastered the trombone, vibraphone, and piano, and formed a jazz band with his brother Giorgio, who played guitar. Music producer Lilli Greco noticed Conte's talent for composing and arranging, pairing him with lyricist Vito Pallavicini. Together, they wrote songs for artists like Adriano Celentano ("Azzurro," 1968), Caterina Caselli ("Insieme a te non ci sto più," 1968), Fausto Leali ("Deborah," 1968), and Enzo Jannacci ("Messico e nuvole," 1970). Conte released his debut album, Paolo Conte, in 1974, followed by another self-titled album in 1975. After acclaimed performances at Club Tenco in Sanremo in 1976 and the success of his third album, Un gelato al limon, he devoted himself primarily to his solo career.
Several of Conte's well-known songs have featured in film soundtracks, such as "Come Di" in I Am David (2003) and Mickey Blue Eyes (1999), "Via con me" in French Kiss (1995), Mostly Martha (2001), and Welcome to Collinwood (2002). Additionally, his song "L’orchestrina" appears during the end credits of episodes 3 and 4 of the television series The New Pope (2020). In 1997, Conte received the Nastro d'Argento for Best Score for the film La freccia azzurra.
On 24 March 1999, President Giorgio Napolitano awarded Conte the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in recognition of his exceptional cultural contributions. On 15 May 2001, France named him Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. In 2015, he was honored with the Premio Galileo for contemporary music in Padua.
Conte has also earned several honorary doctorates, including one from the University of Macerata in 1990.
