Biography
I have taught classical piano, jazz piano, jazz combo, jazz improvisation, in several institutions and privately in the past 33 years.
Here are a few most recent institutions: Riverdale Music School (New York), Atmosphere Academy Charter School (New York), Mind Builders Creative Arts Center (New York), Church Street School of Music and Art (NYC), Masterclasses at various US Universities, at Buenos Aires International Jazz Festival (Argentina), and abroad (Europe).

“Premazzi, a wickedly clever soloist with a very original viewpoint”. [DownBeat Magazine] A fearless modernist composer and improviser with a deeply lyricism at her core, New York based pianist Simona Premazzi has developed an impressive body of work as a composer and bandleader. Originally from Italy, Premazzi hails from a small town in the outskirts of Milano, where she began playing piano at age 8 and a half. A gifted musician, Simona is a graduate of the conservatory of music in Udine. She followed up her studies in Milano, by enrolling in the International Academy of Music and CPM music school, studying under the incomparable supervision of two of Italy’s formidable jazz masters, Massimo Colombo and Franco D’Andrea. As a student she became a member of two of the Academy’s most interesting bands – the Mingus Fingers Septet, of course focusing on the music of Charles Mingus, followed by a four year stint with Enrico Intra’s Big Band, touring across Italy and playing along side internationally recognized musicians including Markus Stockhausen, David Raksin, Franco Cerri, James Newton, Tiziana Ghiglioni, Dave Liebman, Eddie Daniels, Enrico Rava, Paolo Fresu and many others. Since moving to New York in 2004, she has earned recognition for her improvisational work and skillful approach as a composer, with an unmistakable style and depth that comes across in every one of her compositions. She has shown herself to be an accomplished bandleader and much sought after collaborative partner on other artists’ musical projects. Premazzi performed in all major New York jazz venues including the historic and prestigious Village Vanguard, and jazz festivals around the US and abroad. Highlights of her musical path include a few years collaboration with Greg Osby 4 and with Jeremy Pelt 5et, sharing international stages with jazz masters Victor Lewis, Billy Drummond, Ben Allison and others. Among the many, she has performed, toured and/or recorded with: Jeremy Pelt, Greg Osby, Dayna Stephens, Mark Shim, Tineke Postma, Melissa Aldana, Seamus Blake, Wayne Escoffery, J.D. Allen, Billy Drummond, Victor Lewis, Ari Hoenig, Nasheet Waits, and many more fine artists. “Premazzi excels as both pianist and composer. She’s inventive, and always swinging.” [DownBeat Magazine] Simona has released 7 critically acclaimed albums as a leader: Looking For An Exit (among best trio albums of the year on Japanese magazine Jazz Hihyo 2007), Inside In (Simona Premazzi and The Intruders PRE 2010), The Lucid Dreamer (ICM 2013), Outspoken (among best albums of the year **** stars on DownBeat 2017), Let Me Be Free – Live at Buffalo CMC Jazz Festival (solo piano 2018), Sound Scape SS18 (commissioned work from high-end fashion brand Loro Piana campaign 2018), Wave In Gravity (featured article on DownBeat, 4 1/2 stars review on Stereophile, solo piano 2023). “Her composing style stays modern without ever being airless and swing-deficient, open without getting lost in harmony and sentimentality. And her soloing is special.” [Ben Ratliff – New York Times] Simona’s latest release “From What I Recall” (Origin Records AO2, 2025) is a co-lead project with great saxophonist and composer Kyle Nasser. From the major jazz venues in New York, to festivals around the US and South America, the Premazzi / Nasser Quartet further defined their sound, built on lustrous melodies, vivid compositions and a dynamic group aesthetic.