Pino Presti facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Pino Presti
Pino Presti
Background information
Birth name	Giuseppe Prestipino Giarritta
Born	(1943-08-23)23 August 1943
Origin	Milan, Italy
Genres	Pop, jazz, funk, Latin music, dance
Occupation(s)	conductor, arranger, Bassist, composer, record producer
Instruments	Bass guitar, Fender Rhodes, percussion
Years active	1961–present
Labels	Atlantic, Durium, Saar, Polydor, Baby Records, Emergency, Belldisc, Edizioni Curci, Dischi Ricordi
Associated acts	Mina, Gerry Mulligan, Ástor Piazzolla, Stéphane Grappelli, Wilson Pickett, Maynard Ferguson, Franco Cerri, Severino Gazzelloni, Aldemaro Romero, Tullio De Piscopo, Shirley Bunnie Foy, Enrico Intra, Ellade Bandini

Giuseppe Prestipino Giarritta (born August 23, 1943), known as Pino Presti, is a talented Italian musician from Milan. He is a conductor (someone who leads an orchestra), an arranger (who adapts music for different instruments), a Bassist (who plays the bass guitar), a composer (who writes music), and a record producer (who helps make music recordings). He is also a high-ranking black belt in Shotokan Karate.

Pino Presti started his music journey at a very young age. He first played the bass guitar, then learned to arrange, compose, conduct orchestras, and produce music. He has worked with many famous artists in different music styles like jazz, pop, funk, soul, and Latin music. Some of these artists include Mina (a very famous Italian pop singer), Gerry Mulligan, Ástor Piazzolla, Quincy Jones, and Wilson Pickett. He played on 24 recordings with Ástor Piazzolla, including the well-known song Libertango.

Early Life and Music Start
Pino Presti's Music Career
Martial Arts Skills
TV Shows Pino Presti Worked On
Selected Music Recordings
Music Video
See also

Early Life and Music Start

Pino Presti's father, Arturo Prestipino Giarritta, was a skilled violinist. Pino began learning piano and music theory (the rules of music) when he was six. At 17, he started his career. He sang and played bass guitar in clubs. He also worked in recording studios as a musician.

Even though he had a contract to sing, he decided to focus on playing instruments. He recorded hundreds of songs. He worked with many major Italian artists. These include Mina, Giorgio Gaber, Ornella Vanoni, and Adriano Celentano.

Pino Presti's Music Career

Pino Presti with Mina in La Basilica Studio in May 1978.

Pino Presti played bass guitar for Mina for many years. He worked with her in the studio and on tours. Later, he arranged and conducted many of her songs. He even sang backup on some tracks, like "Flamingo." From 1971 to 1978, Presti arranged and conducted 86 of Mina's songs. These included big hits like "Grande grande grande" and "L'importante è finire." He also worked on her albums such as Mina and Mina Live '78.

Presti also wrote four songs for Mina. These songs were "Tentiamo ancora," "L'amore è un'altra cosa," "Amante amore," and "Bignè."

In 1978, Mina made a comeback concert in Viareggio. The newspaper Il Giorno praised the show. They said Mina had an orchestra like a big Las Vegas show. The Italian press called the concert a "triumph." They highlighted the great work of the 14-member orchestra and chorus, led by Presti.

Pino Presti with Wilson Pickett

Between the 1970s and 1980s, Pino Presti worked with many international music stars. He recorded and performed with artists like Wilson Pickett, Shirley Bassey, Quincy Jones, Gerry Mulligan, and Ástor Piazzolla.

Pino Presti once shared a story about working with Wilson Pickett. Pickett's usual bassist couldn't make it to Italy. Pickett heard Presti playing and chose him to play bass for his song "Un' Avventura" at the Sanremo Music Festival. After the festival, Pickett asked Presti to join his European tour.

Pino Presti's real name, Giuseppe Prestipino, is on the record Libertango with Ástor Piazzolla. It's also on Summit by Ástor Piazzolla and Gerry Mulligan. He is listed as Giuseppe "Pino" Prestipino Giarritta on albums by Venezuelan pianist Aldemaro Romero.

In April 1975, Presti toured Europe with Mulligan and Piazzolla. They played at the Olympia Theatre in Paris. They also performed at the World Music Festival in Palma, Majorca. The band included famous musicians like Gerry Mulligan on saxophone and Ástor Piazzolla on bandoneón.

In 1976, he created and produced the first dance-funk album in Italy for Atlantic Records. It was called 1st Round. It had popular songs like Smile and Funky Bump.

In 1977, he signed a contract with RAI2. He became an arranger, conductor, and composer for the TV show Auditorio A. He led a big band of 56 musicians. Many stars appeared on the show, including Gino Paoli, Pino Daniele, and Maynard Ferguson. He also worked on other top TV shows like C'era due volte (1980) and Il cappello sulle ventitré (1983).

Since the 1980s, Pino Presti has composed music for TV series. He has also created and produced albums under different names. He worked for famous labels like Polydor, Baby Records, and Dischi Ricordi.

Since 2004, he has lived in France. In 2009, he produced the album A La Costa Sud. This album featured 28 singers and musicians from different countries. They regularly perform in the French Riviera.

Pino Presti, August 2021

In 2011, he wrote a five-hour soundtrack for a hotel group. The music included different styles like classic jazz, nu jazz, bossanova, world music, and ambient music.

In 2013, Presti helped produce a tribute album for jazz singer Shirley Bunnie Foy. It had seventeen songs from her 60-year career. Famous artists like Tony Scott and Archie Shepp were on the album.

In 2014, Presti composed and co-produced the album Deep Colors. He used the name Mad of Jazz for this project. He worked with keyboardists Claudio and Andrea Calzolari.

In 2016, he wrote music for the advertising campaign of Scavolini. This is an Italian company that designs kitchens and bathrooms.

In 2019, he composed music for the book "Eco nel vento" by poet Tania Cantone.

In May 2023, the vinyl album Pino Presti & Garden Planet - Sharade was released. It also became available on Streaming platforms.

In November 2024, a new version of the album 1st Round was released. It was made available on digital platforms by Planet Records.

Martial Arts Skills

Pino Presti trained in Shotokan karate and Goshindo. He learned from master Hiroshi Shirai from 1967 to 1985. He also trained with other Japanese masters. He earned a 5th degree black belt in Rome in 1987. This is a very high rank in karate.

TV Shows Pino Presti Worked On

With Maynard Ferguson on Italian TV show "Auditorio A" (Rai-2, 1977)

1964 : Questo & Quello (Rai Uno) – He was a bassist and singer.
1965/1966 : Le Nostre Serate (Rai Due) – He was a bassist and singer.
1969 : Sanremo Festival (Rai Uno) – He played bass with Wilson Pickett.
1977 : Auditorio A (Rai Due) – He was a composer, arranger, and conductor. Maynard Ferguson was a special guest.
1980 : C'era due volte (Rai Due) – He was a composer, arranger, and conductor. Peter Tosh was a special guest.
1983 : l Cappello sulle ventitré (Rai Due) – He was a composer, arranger, and conductor.

Selected Music Recordings

Albums by Pino Presti

1st Round – Atlantic Records (1976)
On The Lifeline – LCS (1985)
Maja Andina – Saar Records (1990)
A La Costa Sud – Edizioni Curci (2009)
Café Ipanema 2011 – Rambling Records (2011)
Shirley Bunnie Foy – MAP Golden Jazz (2013)
Deep Colors – MAP/ Paper Moon (2014)
Pino Presti & Garden Planet - Sharade – Private Recordings / Best Record Italy (2023)
1st Round - Digital Remastered 2024 – Planet Records

Singles by Pino Presti

Pino Presti live with his 1971 FJB

"Rimani ancora/Oh! Jenny" – Durium (1964)
"In un posto fuori dal mondo/Messaggio d'amore" – Belldisc (1969)
"Karin/No sabe" – Dischi Ricordi (1970)
"Smile/L'estate di Laura" – Atlantic Records (1975)
"Funky Bump/C.so Buenos Ayres" – Atlantic Records (1976)
"Shitân Disco Shitân" – Barclay (1977)
"Sundown" – Durium (1978)
"You Know The Way part I/You Know The Way part II" – Baby Records (1979)
"You Know The Way" – Vinyl 12" 33 ⅓ RPM – Emergency Records (1980)
"Money (That What I Want)" – Vinyl 12" 33 ⅓ RPM – Baby Records (1980)
"To Miami/Mama's Away" – Cetra Records (1980)
"Dancing Nights/And I Love Her" – Polydor Records (1983)
"Ya No Puedo Vivir (The Bush Remixes)" – Vinyl 12" 33 ⅓ RPM – Blow Up Disco (1991)
"Once Again Now" – Vinyl 12" 33 ⅓ RPM – Soul Xpression (1992)
"Divine" – Vinyl 12" 33 ⅓ RPM – Level One (2001)
"Feel Like a Woman" – CD Single – Self (2005)
"Jazz Carnival" – CD Single – Map (2015)
"Funky Bump" (Unreleased Original Extended Version)/"Funky Bump" (Original 7" Version) – Best Record Italy (2015)
"Disco Shitân" (Long version) – Best Record Italy (2015)
"You Know The Way" (Disco Version by Tee Scott) – Best Record Italy (2016)
"To Africa / Soul Makossa" (EP) – Best Record Italy (2017)
"Pino Presti Featuring Roxy Robinson: You know Why" (EP) – Best Record Italy (2018)
"Lookin’For" (Digital version) – Edizioni Curci (2018)
"Stefano Ritteri feat. Pino Presti: Come Back To Me" (EP) – Spaziale Recordings (2020)

As Performer, Arranger, Conductor on Other Artists' Albums

Bassist, arranger, bandleader for Mina's last public performances in summer 1978. The album Mina Live '78 captured this event.

Mina – Artist: Mina – PDU (1971)
Cinquemilaquarantatre – Artist: Mina – PDU (1972)
Altro – Artist: Mina – PDU (1972)
Del mio meglio n. 2 – Artist: Mina – PDU (1973)
Frutta e verdura – Artist: Mina- PDU (1973)
Amanti di valore – Artist: Mina – PDU (1973)
Mina – Artist: Mina – PDU (1974)
Baby Gate – Artist: Mina – PDU (1974)
Aulehla & Zappa – Artist: Aulehla & Zappa – PDU (1974)
Del mio meglio n. 3 – Artist: Mina – PDU (1975)
La Mina – Artist: Mina – PDU (1975)
Singolare – Artist: Mina – PDU (1976)
Del mio meglio n. 4 – Artist: Mina – PDU (1977)
Mina con Bignè – Artist: Mina – PDU (1977)
Minantologia – Artist: Mina – PDU (1977)
You Know Why – Artist: Roxy Robinson – OUT (1977)
Di tanto in tanto – Artist: Mina – PDU (1978)
Mina Live '78 – Artist: Mina – PDU (1978)
In Due – Artist: Wess and Dori Ghezzi – Durium (1979)
Filipponio – Artist: Filipponio – Cetra Records (1980)
Del mio meglio n. 6 Live – Artist: Mina – PDU (1981)
Il Flauto d'oro – Artist: Severino Gazzelloni – PDU (1983)
All'arrembaggio – Artist: Filipponio – Spice7 (1984)
Del mio meglio n. 8 – Artist: Mina – PDU (1985)
Del mio meglio n. 9 – Artist: Mina – PDU (1987)
Oggi ti amo di più – Artist: Mina – PDU (1988)
Ridi pagliaccio – Artist: Mina – PDU (1988)
Mazzini canta Battisti – Artist: Mina – PDU (1994)
Mina Studio Collection – Artist: Mina – PDU (1998)
Mina Love Collection – Artist: Mina – PDU (2000)
Colección Latina – Artist: Mina – PDU (2001)
The Platinum Collection – Artist: Mina – PDU (2004)
Platinum Collection 2 – Artist: Mina – PDU (2006)
The Best of Platinum Collection – Artist: Mina – EMI Records (2007)
Je suis Mina – Artist: Mina – EMI Records (2011)
Yo soy Mina – Artist: Mina – EMI Records (2011)
I am Mina – Artist: Mina – EMI Records (2011)
The Collection 3.0 – Artist: Mina – Warner Music (2015)
Tutte le migliori – Artist: Mina – Clan/PDU (2017)
Paradiso (Lucio Battisti Songbook) – Artist: Mina – PDU (2018)
Mina Live alla Bussola 1968-1978 – Artist: Mina – Warner Music (2024)

As Performer on Other Artists' Albums

Pino Presti with Gerry Mulligan and Ástor Piazzolla at the Summit recording, 1974

12 Bacchette per una chitarra – Artist: Franco Cerri – gta (1966)
Stereo Beat – Artist: Angel Pocho Gatti – CAR .JB. CRJLP 00011 (1967)
Dedicato a mio padre – Artist: Mina – PDU (1967)
This Is My Life – Artist: Shirley Bassey – United Artists (1968)
Mina alla Bussola dal vivo – Artist: Mina – PDU (1968)
Love and more Love – Artist: Puccio Roelens – Vedette Records (1969)
L'orchestra di Augusto Martelli dal vivo – Artist: Augusto Martelli – PDU (1969)
Quando tu mi spiavi in cima a un batticuore – Artist: Mina – PDU (1970)
Del mio meglio – Artist: Mina – PDU (1971)
La Onda Máxima – Artist: Aldemaro Romero – Antor (1972)
Black Sound From White People – Artist: Augusto Martelli – Fontana Records (1972)
Fratelli La Bionda s.r.l. – Artist: La Bionda – Dischi Ricordi (1972)
Metti una sera Cerri – Artist: Franco Cerri – Jazz Italiano-Music (1973)
Dal mio lontano – Artist: Renato Pareti – Ducale (1973)
The Real McCoy – Artist: Augusto Martelli – Aguamanda (1974)
Libertango – Artist: Ástor Piazzolla – Carosello (1974)
Summit – Artist: Gerry Mulligan, Ástor Piazzolla – erre-t-v (1974)
Gerry Mulligan meets Enrico Intra – Artist: Gerry Mulligan, Enrico Intra – Produttori Associati (1975)
Lumière / Suite Troileana – Artist: Ástor Piazzolla – Carosello (1976)
Onda Nueva Instrumental – Artist: Aldemaro Romero – Velvet Música (1976)
Silence and Other Sounds – Artist: Roxy Robinson – ONE (1977)
Dissonanza-Consonanza – Artist: Enrico Intra – Musica Jazz (1999)
Circle – Artist: Pérez Prado (re-edit) – Schema (2013)
Escandalo – Artist: Pérez Prado – (re-edit) – Schema (2014)
Love Child – Artist: Pérez Prado / Don Alfio – (re-edit) – Schema (2014)

As Performer, Arranger, Conductor on Other Artists' Singles

Pino Presti, Positano 1994 Photograph by Karin Hemp

"Grande grande grande" – Artist: Mina – PDU (1971)
"Domenica sera" – Artist: Mina – PDU (1973)
"E poi..." – Artist: Mina – PDU (1973)
"Lamento d'amore" – Artist: Mina – PDU (1973)
"La scala buia" – Artist: Mina – PDU (1974)
"L'importante è finire" – Artist: Mina – PDU (1975)
"Nuda" – Artist: Mina – PDU (1976)
"Città Vuota (It's a Lonely Town)" – Artist: Mina – PDU (1978)
"Dentro" – Artist: Beba Lončar – CBS Records (1978)
"Momento" – Artist: Wess & Dori Ghezzi – Durium (1979)
"Pazzo non-amore mio/L'Unica" – Artist: Filipponio – Cetra Records (1979)
"Regina del futuro/Noia" – Artist: Marisa Sacchetto – F1 Team (1981)
"Quale appuntamento" – Artist: Eleonora Giorgi – Dischi Ricordi (1981)

As Performer on International Projects

From 1968 to 1970 Presti performed with Shirley Bassey on eight singles and on the album This Is My Life

"Cara Fatina/Lettera a Pinocchio" – Artist: Tony Renis, arranger-conductor Quincy Jones – Philips Records (1964)
"Che vale per me/Eccomi" – Artist: Eartha Kitt – RCA (1968)
"La vita/Without A Word" – Artist: Shirley Bassey – United Artists (1968)
"Domani domani/Pronto sono io" – Artist: Shirley Bassey – United Artists (1968)
"Yes/To Give" – Artist: Shirley Bassey – United Artists (1968)
"E' giorno/If You Go Away" – Artist: Shirley Bassey – United Artists (1968)
"Chi si vuole bene come noi/Epirops" – Artist: Shirley Bassey – United Artists (1968)
"Com'è piccolo il mondo/Manchi solo tu" – Artist: Shirley Bassey – United Artists (1968)
"Concerto d'autunno/You Are My Way Of Life" – Artist: Shirley Bassey – United Artists (1969)
"Ora che sei qui/Something" – Artist: Shirley Bassey – United Artists (1970)
"Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" – Artist: Patrick Samson – Carosello Records (1970)
"Non preoccuparti/Adesso ricomincerei" – Artist: Lara Saint Paul, arranger-conductor Quincy Jones – Polydor (1973)
"Cara Fatina" (re-edit) -Tony Renis / Quincy Jones – His Master's Voice (1983)

Music Video

In December 2023, a music video called "Pino Presti - Incontri di valore" was released on YouTube. It's about 1 minute and 30 seconds long. The video shows some of Presti's own music. It also features his work with famous artists like Mina, Astor Piazzolla, Gerry Mulligan, and Shirley Bassey. The video even includes a bonus track of "Nessuno mi può giudicare" sung by Caterina Caselli. Even though it wasn't made to sell, the video caught the eye of the online music newspaper Rockol. They wrote an article about it in their news.