He began studying piano when he was five, partly from his father, who was a jazz-loving guitarist. Pieranunzi became a professional when he was 19, playing with trombonist Marcello Rosa's quartet. Since then, in addition to leading his own groups, Pieranunzi has worked with many top players (both Europeans and Americans) including Franco Ambrosetti, Chet Baker, Benny Bailey, Art Farmer, Curtis Fuller, Johnny Griffin, Charlie Haden, Jim Hall, Lee Konitz, Sal Nistico, Enrico Rava, Tony Scott, Kai Winding, and Phil Woods. Pieranunzi, who also teaches at a conservatory, has done studio work and sometimes works as a chamber music soloist. Up through the 1990s he recorded a number of impressive jazz sets as a leader for Enja, Timeless, and especially Soul Note. After the turn of the millennium his CDs have often appeared on the CamJazz label, including recordings -- Play Morricone (2002), Current Conditions and Play Morricone, Vol. 2 (both 2003), Ballads (2006), Live in Japan (2007), and Dream Dance (2009) -- with a trio featuring drummer Joey Baron and bassist Marc Johnson. ~ Scott Yanow