Born on February 10, 1961, in Berchidda, Sardinia, Paolo Fresu is an Italian jazz trumpeter. His elegant, experimental playing manages to infuse Miles Davis's cool jazz period with Mediterranean romance and old country folk traditions. He began playing trumpet in his town's marching band at the age of eleven, learning a cyclical breathing technique from elders who played an ancient clarinet-like pipe unique to the region called the Launeddas. Having discovered bebop through Miles Davis and John Coltrane's 1956 album Round Midnight, he studied at the Music Conservatory in Cagliari. Becoming a professional musician in 1982, he spent his formative years working in various ensembles before forming his own quintet with Attillo Zanchi (bass), Ettore Fioravanti (drums), Tino Tracanna (saxophone), and Roberto Cipelli (piano). The Paolo Fresu Quintet released their debut album, Ostinato, in 1985. They followed that up in 1988 with the album Qvarto. Further albums include Ballads (1992), Melos (2000), Incantamento (2006), and İ30! (2014). Unlike many of his contemporaries, the line-up of Paolo Fresu’s quintet has remained intact throughout their 30+ year career. In between releases with the quintet, Paolo Fresu works with other ensembles including the Paolo Fresu’s Devil Quartet, Paolo Fresu’s Sextet, Paolo Fresu’s Jazz Workshop and others.