One of the world's major trumpeters, prolific jazz artist Paolo Fresu has recorded more than 300 titles since the 1980s. Born in 1961 in Sardinia, Italy, Fresu learned the trumpet at the age of 11 and later studied the instrument at the Cagliari Conservatory. Upon his graduation in 1984, he quickly accumulated awards, with accolades from France's l'Académie du Jazz and a Django d'Or. With a sound reminiscent of 1950s era Miles Davis, Fresu has created a style all his own, mastering with a natural ease any genre, from straight jazz to fusion. Between recordings and shows, Fresu also serves as artistic director for the Berchidda Time in Jazz Festival, his hometown's jazz festival. In 2010, the prolific artist released the album Chiaroscuro with American guitarist Ralph Towner, and the double set Songlines/Night & Blue with his own quintet. Desertico followed in 2013.