STUDIES
Marco Lo Russo, born in 1977, got a top marks degree in Accordion at the “G. Rossini” Conservatoire in Pesaro and in Orchestration and Instrumentation for Band at “G. B. Martini” in Bologna where he has studied composition with Adriano Guarnieri and jazz and music improvisation with Paolo Birro, Tommaso Lama and Stefano Zenni. He has studied Jazz Improvisation Techniques at School of Jazz in Cesena (FC) and attended seminars during the festival of jazz Arceviajazz (An). After the apprenticeship of Accordion at G. Rossini of Pesaro, he attended the International specialization course of city of Stresa about classical and contemporary literature for accordion. He attended also the Internation course of conducting in Macerata. In the conservatory of “S. Cecilia” in Rome he finished to study composing. He graduated in Arts and Philosophy at University of Bologna (DAMS Music) and the title of his thesis degree was “Accordion: instrument of 900s”.

PERFORMANCES
All his successful performances took him to perform live as soloist at National Theatre of the Opera in Rome. At the first of January 2008th he played as solo performer on the SKY TV and RAI INTERNATIONAL channel during the show “Italia Rai” presented by Gigliola Cinquetti to greet the new year with all Italian TV audience living in foreign countries.

As soloist he played also for the radios (Blusat 2000 and RAI3) He played also with: Orchestra and choir of Conservatory of Santa Cecilia in Rome, Orchestra Philharmonic of Rome, Orchestra Prealudium Ensemble of Latina, Rome International polyphonic Choir, Philharmonic Choir of Pesaro, Choir of Tolentino and he conducted the Orchestra Philharmonic of Parma.

His live experiences include his participation to national and international festival of classic, contemporary and jazz music, such as: Oltre il contemporaneo in Bologna, Viva Bologna, Festival Pontino, Clusone Jazz, Rock in Rhò, Festival di Ottoni G. Corsini, Cinema Ritrovato, Generazione X in Auditorium in Rome, European Youth School, Archipel Musique in Paris, to name just a few.. He played also in Albania, Canada, France, Greek and Switzerland. His performances include the collaboration with the composer Nicola Piovani for theatre (Concha Bonita – Prize ETI 2005) and for composition of soundtracks.

He has played with outstanding artists such as Joseph Alessi, Fabio Battistelli, Nadia Bellelli, Marco Dal Pane, Andrea Giuffredi, Ernesto Gordini, Eva Lopez, Fabio Mariani, Iskra Menarini, Ichnos Quartet, Vittorio Parisi, Richy Pellegrino, Danilo Rea, Giorgio Rosciglione, Kuasar String Kuartett, Lele Veronesi, Luca Vignali. His performances also include the collaboration with: Vincenzo Cerami, Lilli Greco, Milo Manara, Nicola Piovani, Mariano Regillo, Lina Sastri and with the directors Alfredo Arias, Luca Manfredi and Joseph Rochlitz.

COMPOSINGS He has composed for soloists, theatrical performances, live video performances, short films, and also played for radios (Blusat – Vatican Radio), Radio Rai3 and for television Rai, Rai International, Sat2000 and Mediaset (Endemol) with original composings. His original compositions edited and published by Animando, Dimi, Rai Trade, Select have received appreciation by specialised musical revues (Amadeusonline All About Jazz, Bass professor, Double Bassist, Cadence, Jazz convention Italia, MusikBox, Suono, MusikBox).

RECORDINGS
As leader, composer and arranger he published the CDs Mediterranean Accordion…live (Nelson Records – Rai Trade music pub. 2008); Mediterranean Accordion (Rai Trade 2006); Tarabuk (Velut Luna 2005); Marco Lo Russo and Friends (Patronage of Local Authority of Sermoneta, 1998).

As sideman he has been involved in recording CDs of Fabio Lombardi, Sex in the City 2 (ConcerOne 2008); Nicoletta della Corte, Le Chic et le Charme (Nelson Records 2007); Nicola Piovani’s compositions as Concha Bonita (Universo, 2005) and Matilde (Rai Trade 2005); Scivola Via of Resto Mancia’s band (Parole e Musica 2003).

AWARDS
In 1997 he received the award Frederick II of Sweden for the success of his Canadian tournée and two honour mentions, one as the Best graduated 2001 in Italy and the other during the International Music Trophy in Paris. He also received Award Sonora 2007 for the best concert of arrangement of famous soundtracks in Italy. Marco Lo Russo was professor at Workshop during the eighth edition of International Festival Veneto Jazz in 2000.
He is the director of Faculty of Accordion at UM (Music University of Rome).