The first Italian invited to a U.S. jazz festival and the first Italian musician described as a new talent by Down Beat.
He founded his own quartet and performed with them in the 1950s and 1960s.
His American collaborations included such Musicians as Don Cherry, Roswell Rudd, Eddie Gomez, and Max Roach.
His family was aware of his musical talents early on, and he began his performing career when he was 13.
He wrote the Soundtrack for the 1961 film The Night, which was directed by Michelangelo Antonioni.
