Pianist and composer, Rita Marcotulli studied classical music at the Santa Cecilia Conservatory with Maestro Arnaldo Graziosi and Susanna Spitanlick. He began playing professionally in small groups in the seventies and later began collaborating with various international artists, to name a few: Jon Christensen, Palle Danielsson, Peter Erskine, Joe Henderson, Helène La Barrière, Joe Lovano, Charlie Mariano, Marilyn Mazur, Pat Metheny, Sal Nistico, Michel Portal, Enrico Rava, Dewey Redman, Aldo Romano, Kenny Wheeler, Norma Winstone. In 1987 she was voted Best New Talent in a survey by Musica Jazz magazine. In 1989 he joined Billy Cobham’s group with whom he performed all over the world. In 1992 he joined Dewey Redman’s group with whom he collaborated for 15 years playing throughout Europe and South America. Then he moved to Sweden, collaborating with northern European musicians such as: Palle Danielsson, Marilyn Mazur, Jon Christensen, Niels Petter Molevar, Anders Jormin, Tore Brumborg. These collaborations influence and consolidate his way of composing. Back in Italy she collaborates among others with Ambrogio Sparagna and Pino Daniele. In 1996 he accompanied Pat Metheny in a performance at the Sanremo Festival.
More recently she participated in the making of the film Basilicata Coast to Coast, for which she was responsible for the soundtrack. Thanks to this work, Marcotulli received the Ciak d’oro in 2010, the Nastro d’argento for best soundtrack in the same year, the David di Donatello for best musician in 2011 (the first woman ever to receive this award) and the Top Jazz Award 2011 as the best Italian jazz artist according to the Musica Jazz magazine. In February 2013 he was a member of the quality jury at the 63rd edition of the Sanremo Festival, conducted by Fabio Fazio and Luciana Littizzetto. In 2017 she was appointed Ambassador of Umbria in the world. In 2019 the President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella awarded Rita the honorary award as Official of the Republic and again in 2019 the nomination as a member of the Royal Academy of Sweden established in 1774 by King Gustav. Today Rita Marcotulli is a famous pianist and composer. Respected for her unique playing style and ability to improvise. His source of inspiration is vast and also includes influences from Brazilian, African and Indian music.