Davide’s interest in music started at four with the piano. He then progressed on to the guitar, and from there to the electric and acoustic bass. His father was one of the founders of the Ferrara Jazz Club (now a major Italian venue). That enabled him to meet, and sometimes jam with, some of the greatest Jazz legends including Al Grey, Phil Woods and Chet Baker.

Since his arrival in London in 1991, he has built up a solid experience on both live and studio scenes, playing with some illustrious Jazz, World and Pop artists including: Lisa Stansfield, Baaba Maal, Zoe Rahman, Andy Sheppard, Jason Rebello, Natacha Atlas, Mulatu Astatke, Barb Jungr.

In July 2002 he met Senegalese singer and kora master Seckou Keita. Soon after followed a trip to Senegal, in the heart of Casamance. He joined Seckou’s band and toured the world for many years, composed together and produced two inspiring albums.

He is also a renowned composer and band leader. He recorded and produced six albums, one of which, “Choices”, was voted “Jazz album of the Week” by the Evening Standard.

Some of his compositions have been broadcast on BBC Radio 3  (Late Junction),  BBC Radio 4 (Loose Ends), Channel 4 (Three Minutes Wonder), CNN (Kuwait documentary), JazzFM.

Davide Mantovani’s solo albums:

Square One (2001)
Drawing Horizons (2004)
Polaris (2005)
Polaris – Echoes from Exo (2009)
Choices (2012)
Roots ‘n’ Routes (2015)