Pianist, composer and conductor Antonio Ciacca has established himself as a top NYC performer/arranger since 2007 when he moved from Bologna, Italy to start working as Director of Programming and Concert Administration at Jazz at Lincoln Center.

In 2021 Ciacca celebrated 30 years of touring and recording with his ensembles where over the years he had stellar collaborations such as Joe Lovano, Jerry Bergonzi, Rick Margitza, George Garzone, Lewis Nash, Greg Hutchinson, Andy Farber, Wes Anderson, and Pat La Barbera. Today Ciacca is one of the most original voices on the contemporary New York jazz scene. As a pianist he names Jaki Byard and Barry Harris as his main influences. As composer he names Benny Golson and Steve Lacy (both of whom he has collaborated with) as his inspirations, alongside his absolute idols Duke Ellington and Bud Powell.