Giuliano Modarelli, a guitarist, composer, producer, and educator from Italy, embarks on a profound musical journey that transcends genres, embracing cultural exchange and collaboration. Drawing from his experiences as an immigrant in London, an international hub where he deeply connects with people from various diasporas and nationalities, Giuliano’s sound is shaped by this rich amalgamation of experiences. His musical and ideological development has been profoundly influenced by this environment. Drawing from the city's diverse international community, he integrates influences from new jazz, electronic music, dub, Indian Classical Music, and London’s vibrant cultural landscape. His collaborative approach spans borders while maintaining a deep connection to musical roots, informed by an understanding and respect for their cultural, historical, and social contexts.
His music reflects an internationalist mindset and a commitment to addressing social issues through artistic expression. His work with the award-winning collective Kefaya exemplifies this ethos, addressing themes such as immigration, gender equality, and challenges to patriarchal and capitalist ideology in their albums.
Giuliano’s artistic evolution is marked by a deep respect for tradition alongside an experimental mindset. He has immersed himself in Indian culture, studying the Hindustani classical tradition with masters such as Pandit Buddhadev Dasgupta and Pandit Prattyush Banerjee, profoundly shaping his work. Balancing reverence for jazz, Hindustani classical music, and folk traditions from the Indian subcontinent and Afghanistan, he explores innovative musical expressions with a contemporary aesthetic.
Giuliano’s collaborations include artists such as Shankar Mahadevan, Bill Laurance, Talvin Singh, Nitin Sawhney, Sarathy Korwar, Elaha Soroor, Kadialy Kouyate, Yazz Ahmed, Mohsen Namjoo, Sura Susso, Olcay Bayir, Pete Locket, BC Manjunath, Soumik Datta, Garry Husband, Mysore Manjunath and many others. He is a prolific composer, collaborating across disciplines with choreographers such as Gregory Maqoma, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Alleyne Dance, DV8, Jose Agudo to mention a few. These experiences have profoundly influenced Giuliano’s work, shaping his innovative approach and expanding his artistic horizons.