Raphael Gualazzi

Raphael Gualazzi is a jazz and blues pianist who sings in both Italian and English. He studied at the Rossini Conservatory in Pesaro and was influenced by New Orleans jazz and ragtime blues, plus modern pop such as Stevie Wonder. He released his debut album 'Love Outside the Window' in 2005, covering 'Georgia On My Mind' on the compilation album 'Piano Jazz' in 2008. Gualazzi's breakthrough moment came with his blues-inspired cover of Fleetwood Mac's 'Don't Stop' in 2009. The song was used in a TV advert where it gained national exposure.

After appearing at the 2011 Sanremo Festival he was selected to represent Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest with his self-written song 'Follia d'Amore'. Gualazzi's English version of the song came second in the 2011 contest with a credible 189 points. 'Follia d'Amore' featured on his second album 'Reality and Fantasy' in 2005. The album also featured collaborations with soul singer Rox, trumpeter Frabrizio Bosso and DJ Gilles Peterson.

His later albums were 'Happy Mistake' in 2013 and 'Love Life Peace' in 2016. He released the single 'Carioca' in 2020, taken from the album 'I Have a Plan'.