Today we’d like to introduce you to Riccardo Gresino.
Hi Riccardo, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi everyone and thank you for the space and the interest in my story. I’m a keyboardist, music director, and composer recognized for my distinctive sound, competence, and trustworthiness.
Born and raised in Italy, I started playing piano at the age of five. I kept doing it without questioning myself too much until my high school years when I discovered the sound of jazz and the beauty of playing together with other people. From there, I never left that feeling anymore.
Coming from a small town in the north of Italy and being the first one in my family to choose a musical path made things harder; loving challenges and adventures helped me on the other side.
I decided to study jazz at the “A.Vivaldi” Conservatory in Alessandria where I got my degree in 2015 and my masters in 2017. During the last year of study, with five years of playing for local artists, I realized that I was still in my comfort zone and that I should have challenged my passion even more. Thanks to the vision and the advice of my piano teacher an opportunity come at the right time: Berklee College of Music’s auditions in Umbria Jazz 2017 Perugia where I was awarded as a scholarship student and my life changed completely.
In 2018, I find myself in Boston surrounded by a multicultural community full of motivation and amazing musical views and voices. During the next three years of hard work, I start finding my voice and I collaborated with a large number of artists such as Tristan Simone, AM Dandy, Stephània, Michalius, Marclesia Karim, etc.
I realize that I was doing my best to support original music, working closely with artists, and shaping sound for them other than just going to class and preparing for exams. The pandemic, in 2020, was a perfect moment to study and experiment with synth and sound design.
During the summer of 2021, I graduated from Berklee College and immediately moved to Los Angeles constantly looking for improvements.
During my first month in Los Angeles, a perfect opportunity came to me. I found an audition for a US theater tour in tribute to George Michael. Thanks to my sound design skills, my preparation, and my attitude, I got the gig as music director and keyboard player. This was a key moment of my learning process because I was able to closely study 80’s music (one of the most iconic eras for synth), leading a group of great musicians, and programming 2 hours show in Ableton. The tour was a success, we performed in historical US theaters such as Theater at Ace Hotel – Los Angeles, Segerstrom Center for the Arts – Costa Mesa, Paramount Theater – Austin, Pantages Theater – Minneapolis, Majestic Theater – Dallas, Tobin Center for the Performing Art, San Antonio, and many more.
After the tour, I went back to Los Angeles and I finally focused all of my energies on original projects performing, recording, or MDing for Thunderpetz, Anna Margo, Simha, Rubel, JaMichael, Stefano May, Courtney and John Conlin. Until today, I was able to perform multiple times in venues like Whisky a GoGo, The Sun Rose, Viper Room, Hotel Café, Writers Block, Breaking Sound, and Desert 5 Spot. I’m constantly working to give the best sound experience and help to the artists.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Reading a condensed first paragraph could make you think that everything run smoothly but, it wasn’t like that at all. Life is unpredictable and full of challenges, and our mission is to turn them into a learning process.
I can share one event that throws me down for a good amount of time.
In 2018, exactly one week before starting at Berklee College, I had a serious injury to my right leg. At that moment everything fell apart. I lost my vision of the future, my positivity, my motivation to play, and the beginning of a new experience in the US that I was preparing for a year in advance. It took me a month to walk without crutches and five other months to fully feel stable with my legs and motivated enough to try again. I thought a lot during the recovery and found a reason and helpful lesson related to that event. This mental work made me more prepared and wise during my years of college. Fortunately, I was still able to start the academic program eight months after the previously scheduled date.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a hard-working person who spends a lot of attention on details because I’m convinced that they truly make the difference. The artists I’ve been working with and all the people I’ve met will tell you the same thing. Since 2021, I’m working as a freelancer keyboard player, music director, and recording artist in Los Angeles.
I specialize as a keyboard player: I love recreating sounds and making new ones, and I’m really careful respecting anyone’s musical space when I perform in a group situation. The things I’m most proud of are being conscious to have my voice and sound, always being professional and supportive in any kind of work environment, and being myself without faking. I truly believe that talent is not enough and you need consistency and sacrifice to really push your limits and grow every day.
What are your goals and projects for the next future?
I would love to be on tour with an artist, this is definitely at the top of my list. After “The Life and Music of George Michael” US tour, I really want to have an opportunity as a keyboard player for a rising or established artist. I know I’m prepared for that and my attitude, workflow, and troubleshooting skills would do the rest. I hate calling myself “performer” because I don’t just perform a part. I do more than that and I’m always highly involved in the music I play. This is the reason why I’m so passionate and committed to working for original projects, dedicating the right time and attention that they deserve.
Parallel to this I’m working on consolidating my style of composition. I gained so many life experiences until now and I’m finding the best way to put all of my emotions and reflections into a newer work: an album under my name after the release of “Reflection” EP in 2020.
I want to thank all of the team of Voyage LA for what you are doing. Giving voice to artists and inspiring people is so precious and well-needed. Thank you so much again for having me!
Contact Info:
- Website: riccardogresino.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riccardogresino/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riccardo.gresino/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riccardogresino/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/RGresino
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1Rh71AVG82k0FlNHwDxqYg
- Other: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/2qISlof9cmf6MZFJO8f3tF?si=fwov8sm-Tj-nIuiblu-3Rw
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