Romano Mussolini

Italian pianist (Forlì, September 26, 1927 - Rome February 3, 2006), third and youngest son of Benito Mussolini, never involved in politics, but rather a well-appreciated jazz pianist, painter and (unsuccessful) film producer. Made his debut as pianist with Nunzio Rotondo Quintet (San Remo Festival 1956). In 1959 he was the promoter of the great jazz season at La Bussola di Focette (Tuscany, Italy), where he played with Chet Baker and Lars Gullin. The same year he performed on RAI (Italian radio) with Dizzy Gillespie. In 1962 his album won the Critics' Prize. In 1964 he performed in Mexico and Canada with Cicci Santucci and Enzo Scoppa. In 1970 Mussolini played with Tony Scott, in the 80s he played with young musicians as Moriconi, Vigorito, Palermo, Colnaghi. In 1985 he took part with Vigorito and Mazzei in the NBC show in Rome & New York, playing with Pat LaBarbera, Valery Ponomarev and George Benson. That year he also performed in Canada with Maria Kelly and Spain with the Swing quintet by Randisi & Sanjust. His career lasted over 60 years until his death. He recorded 15 studio albums, all of them with the Rca Italiana. He was the father of politician, actress and singer Alessandra Mussolini.