London based violinist, Julian Ferraretto, plays and records with a number of jazz ensembles around London including: Eska Mtungwazi, The Karen Lane Quintett and the Andrea Quintarelli Quartett.
In 2004, Julian wrote the string arrangements for Karen Lane's second album "Taste" and since then has been doing extensive string arranging/recording for theatre, BBC radio and other prominent European recording artists including Rebecca Hollweg, Andy Hamill and Carleen Anderson.
Before arriving in London, Julian lectured in jazz history at the University of Adelaide, while working as a freelance session violinist, and wrote/recorded music scores for the local theatre and dance companies, including the State Theatre of South Australia and Doppio Parallelo.
Biography
Specializing in improvisation, Julian has been in demand as a soloist and ensemble player both in and out of the UK Jazz scene since his arrival here from Australia in 2002.
On amplified violin (an acoustic instrument with a pickup), Julian plays with the cream of London's jazz and world music scenes. Recent tours include work as a member of the Mazeeka Ensemble, touring with Natacha Atlas, as well as performances with The Urban Soul Orchestra, Eska Mtungwazi and Stuart Townend. Appearances include North Sea Jazz Festival, London Jazz Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Barbados Jazz Festival and Copenhagen Jazz Festival.
Julian also performs with a number of classical ensembles, most recently for Wigmore Hall as part of a schools' composition project, led by composer Elspeth Brooke. Other community and education work includes directing and producing 2 albums for St Michael's Refugee Project and performances with Only Connect Theatre Company.
As a string arranger, Julian has collaborated and recorded with Carleen Anderson, George Soule, Andy Hamill and Ty. He also arranges and records strings for BBC Regional Radio, Smooth FM, and Real Radio.
Julian's Film and TV sessions include Songs of Praise (2006), My Fair Kerry (ITV1) (2004), The Discovery Channel (2004), andÊ "Oh Happy Day" (2007)
Julian work as a composer includes commissions from the Australia Council, the Sydney New Music Festival and several theatre scores. Sacred music includes "Latin Mass" and "Jazz Vespers". As a Musical Director, he has worked for St Patrick's Gospel Choir, Soho, Jellicoe Neville Theatre Company and Coco Zhao for the Cultural Olympiad, 2008.
Education
Julian's graduate studies took place at Elder Conservatorium, Australia (BMus, 1st class Hons)
Prizes and Awards
- Elder Conservatorium Jazz Awards Ð Top Postgraduate - 2000
- The John Robert Mitchell Violin Prize Ð2000
- South Australian Music Industry Award Best Folk Music Act. S.A (with band Aire Flamenco) Ð 1999
- Elder Conservatorium Jazz Awards Ð Top Undergraduate - 1998
- Elder Conservatorium Jazz Awards Ð Best Undergraduate Instrument - 1997>
Teachers: Rob Collins, Keith Crellin and Alphonse Anthony