Arti e Mestieri are one of the crown jewels of Italian jazz-rock — a Turin sextet who, from 1974, fused the energy of rock, the sophistication of jazz and the melodic warmth of Italian music into something dazzlingly virtuosic. Driven by the astonishing drumming of Furio Chirico, and rich with violin and saxophone, their classic albums stand among the very best the genre produced.

The short version

Formed in Turin in 1974, Arti e Mestieri brought together a group of superb musicians to play a high-energy, intricate brand of jazz-rock fusion, distinguished by symphonic touches and unforgettable melodies. Their debut “Tilt” (1974) became an instant classic, and its follow-up confirmed them as one of Italy’s finest. Anchored by drummer Furio Chirico — one of the most extraordinary players Italy ever produced — the band has, in various forms, remained active for half a century. For lovers of jazz-rock, they are essential.

Turin, 1974: virtuosos assemble

Arti e Mestieri came together in Turin around 1973–74, on the initiative of drummer Furio Chirico, formerly of The Trip. He joined forces with keyboardist Beppe Crovella and four musicians — guitarist Gigi Venegoni, bassist Marco Gallesi, violinist and singer Giovanni Vigliar and reed player Arturo Vitale — who had played together in a jazz-prog group called Il Sogno di Archimede. The resulting sextet was signed to Cramps Records, the adventurous label that was also home to Area, and made a spectacular live debut before a vast crowd at the Parco Lambro festival, the so-called “Italian Woodstock”. From the start, their sheer instrumental class set them apart.

Blistering jazz-rock with a symphonic heart

Arti e Mestieri played jazz-rock of remarkable energy and precision, but with a character all their own. Their music married the drive and power of rock to the harmonic sophistication of jazz, while the presence of Vigliar’s violin and Vitale’s saxophones, clarinet and vibraphone lent it an almost orchestral richness and a strong melodic, even symphonic, dimension. At the heart of it all was Furio Chirico, whose lightning-fast, inventive and astonishingly technical drumming is one of the wonders of Italian rock — propulsive yet musical, virtuosic yet always in service of the whole. Largely instrumental and superbly arranged, their sound was as warm and melodic as it was complex.

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Tilt, Giro di Valzer and Quinto Stato

The band’s debut, “Tilt (Immagini per un Orecchio)” (1974), produced with the help of Area’s Paolo Tofani, was an immediate landmark — a brilliant, mostly instrumental fusion of rock, jazz, classical and Mediterranean influences, crowned by the epic “Articolazioni” and the thrilling opener “Gravità 9,81”. The following year’s “Giro di Valzer per Domani” (1975) leaned further into jazz-rock and added a dedicated singer, refining their sound into something even more mature. After it, the original group fragmented, with Venegoni and Gallesi departing to other projects. The band’s first phase closed with “Quinto Stato” (1979) — a tougher, more socially pointed album made with a changed line-up, as the progressive era was waning. Though it never quite matched the first two, it remains a worthy and committed work.

Album by album

The band’s classic 1970s run, the heart of their catalogue. Tap any title for its guide.

The players

Furio Chirico (drums) is the band’s powerhouse and figurehead, widely regarded as one of the greatest and fastest drummers Italy has produced. Keyboardist Beppe Crovella has been the band’s compositional anchor and, in later years, its leader and producer. The original sextet was completed by guitarist Gigi Venegoni, bassist Marco Gallesi, violinist and singer Giovanni Vigliar, and the gifted reed and vibraphone player Arturo Vitale. After the 1970s, the band eventually reformed and has toured internationally for decades, carrying their classic repertoire around the world; founding member Arturo Vitale passed away in 2024. Their combination of virtuosity and warmth has kept them beloved across generations.

Where to start

Begin with “Tilt” (1974), the band’s masterpiece and one of the essential Italian jazz-rock albums — a dazzling showcase of the group’s virtuosity and Furio Chirico’s drumming. From there, “Giro di Valzer per Domani” (1975) offers a slightly more refined, jazz-leaning companion piece. Together, the first two albums capture the band at the height of their powers, and are required listening for anyone drawn to the genre.

Why they still matter

Arti e Mestieri are among the finest jazz-rock bands Italy ever produced, and one of its most enduring. Their classic albums combine breathtaking musicianship with genuine melody and emotion, avoiding the chilliness that can afflict the genre, and in Furio Chirico they boast a drummer of world-class brilliance whose playing alone makes them worth discovering. Bridging jazz, rock and a distinctly Italian sense of melody, and active across five decades, they have earned their place among the greats of the scene. For anyone exploring the jazz-rock side of Italian progressive music, Arti e Mestieri are essential.

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