Fabio Zambelli is a guitarist and composer who lives between north Italy and London. His personal compositional and playing style is influenced by modern and contemporary jazz. In the last few years Fabio had the opportunity to perform his music within gigs and concerts across Europe with "AtoZ", the band that he currently runs with saxophonist James Arben and also with his own trio, "Simplon Group" and "Quazamba" jazz quartet.

The London years...

In 2002 Fabio based himself in London where he graduated with a Masters degree at the "Guildhall School of Music and Drama" and with a first class batchelor degree from "Middlesex University", both in jazz performance. Fabio started to work in London as a live session musician for several artists and bands, and in the studio collaborating with "Jpmrecordings". Gigs includes "The London Jazz Festival", The world famous "Ronnie Scott's Club", "The Vortex", "Brighton rock" musical by John Berry, prize winner "Guildhall Jazz Band", "Queen Elizabeth Hall - The Festival Hall Foyer", and many others. He also started educational activities teaching guitar at the "City and Islington College" in London.

Following his interest in contemporary jazz, In 2005 he spent two weeks in NY city and during that time he studied at the SIM faculty with Ralph Alessi and Jim Black. During these years Fabio started his own bands and projects based in London.

The Italian years...

Fabio begun to play the guitars at the age of 9, and spent his teens playing school concerts and having fun with friends playing in a rock band. When 18 years old, he started to study improvisation and approached other styles such as blues and jazz. He established at this time his first pro band with singer Anita Camarella, bass player Camillo Bellinato and percussionist Gio Rossi.
He studied guitar and composition in Milan in the late 90s at "Namm" and "CPM" where he obtained a diploma with the best marks, having the opportunity to study with the great Italian guitarist Gigi Cifarelli.
1999 was a turning point year for Fabio. After winning the prize as "Best musicians" at the Nuoro jazz classes, directed by trumpetist Paolo Fresu, he was invited to play at the international festival of "Berchidda" and "Nuoro Jazz" with the band "Open sextet", which was made up of other prize winner musicians such as Rosario Di Rosa and Sebastiano Dessanay. At the same time he was asked to join the renowed "Civica Jazz Band" of Milan, making his debut with the band in a concert with american saxophonist Dave Liebman. Following concerts and collaborations with "Civica Jazz" including concerts with Eddie Daniels, Cantelli Symphonic Orhestra directed by Dave Ratkins, Tiziano Tononi, Patrice Caratini, Rossano Sportiello, Marco Fumo, being directed by Marco Visconti Prasca and Enrico Intra.

Venues for these concerts were the best theatres and music halls in north Italy such as "Teatro Streller-Piccolo Teatro", "Teatro Dal Verme", "Auditorium di Milano", "Teatro Studio". As freelance musician before moving to UK Fabio has played with drummer Steve Washington and with the band "Plum Jam" from London made of Z star, Seb Rockford, DJ Keir.
Other concerts includes: "Iseo Jazz Festival" and "Break in Jazz" with "Civica Guitar Quartet" directed by Franco Cerri. "Lago Maggiore Festival" within the sction "Young jazz soloist". "Garda Jazz Festival", "Passirano Jazz Festival" and "Varese open Jazz Festival" with trumpetist Fulvio Sigurta', "Locarno International Film Festival", "Lybissonis Jazz Festival" Porto Torres. "Eddie Lang Guitar Festival" Isernia as finalist for a national guitar contest, "Somma Lombardo Theatre", first concert as a band leader, playing with Simona Premazzi at the Hammond organ. Concerts at "Castelsardo" and "Palazzo Ducale" Nuoro. "Palazzo Estense" Varese. Gigs include jazz clubs in UK, Italy, Germany, France, Switzerland and Spain.

Teaching experiences includes teaching guitars in music schools in Italy, Switzerland and UK, among others "Namm" in Milan, the same school where he studied few years earlier: "CFM" Barasso, Italy, "St. Cecilia" London, and "City and Islington College" London.

Fabio has played with many musicians across Europe and in the last few years has established a deeper collaboration with some of them including; James Arben, Laurie Lowe, Joe Stilgoe, Paolo Carta Mantiglia, Pete Whittaker, Mauro Banfi, Matt Baker, Thierry Tardeau, Leon Barron, Gideon Marcus, Shady Blue, Marco Zanoli, Pino Li Trenta, Guy Silk and James Eaton.