The infinite percussions of Tullio De Piscopo

Tullio De Piscopo he is undoubtedly one of the greatest Italian drummers of all time. He was born in Naples on February 24, 1946 and grew up in a family of musicians. Since he was a child he has been introduced to percussion of all kinds, sticks and various drums. His father Giuseppe was a drummer and percussionist in the Neapolitan orchestra directed by Maestro Giuseppe Anepeta.

In the mid-seventies De Piscopo was one of the most sought-after drummers in Italian recording studios, not only for jazz, but also for pop music; he collaborates with many great Italian musicians such as Adriano Celentano, Mina, Enzo Jannacci, Ornella Vanoni, Iva Zanicchi, Mino Reitano, Toto Cutugno, Roberto Vecchioni, Fabrizio De Andrè, Giorgio Gaber, Domenico Modugno, Lucio Dalla and the New Trolls Atomic System.

He played the drums in Battiato’s “L’Era del boar bianco” in 1979 and was also the drummer in some albums – both studio and live – by Pino Daniele, with whom a deep friendship was born. Also in the Seventies he began his collaboration with Astor Piazzolla, an Argentine musician, composer and arranger, with whom he recorded the LP “Libertango” (as well as 11 other LPs over the years, accompanying Piazzolla on tour around the world).

In 1988 he participated in the Sanremo Festival with the song “Andamento Lento”, a song that became a symbol of the Neapolitan artist and which pushed him towards pop success, remaining at the top of all the record charts for a good seven months. The Neapolitan drummer’s recording career includes numerous works ranging from more jazz albums alongside pop works, not to mention the many collaborations he has had with great Italian and non-Italian artists.

“Sotto e ‘ncoppa” from “Sotto e ‘ncoppa” from 1976