Raffaele Trapasso is an Italian bassist, born in Catanzaro in 1990.
Introduced to the world of music at a young age, he began by studying and playing trumpet in his Dad’s band, and at the age of 13 discovered electric bass – an instrument he fell in love with and began to teach himself.
He entered the Torrefranca Conservatory in Vibo Valentia to study Double Bass during which he played an intense number of concerts with pianist Egidio Ventura including some of the most important Italian Jazz festivals such as Piazza Jazz, Roccella Jazz Festival, Peperoncino Jazz Festival, which included guests like Daniele Scannapieco, Gege Telesforo and masterclasses by drummer Dom Famularo.
Raffaele refined his technique by attending numerous masterclasses over the years held by internationally renowned bass players who have inspired him, including Hadrien Feraud, Tom Kennedy, Dario Deidda, Jeff Berlin, Dino D’Autorio, Massimo Moriconi, Lorenzo Poli, Maurizio Rolli and Roberto Gallinelli.

He moved to Parma in 2016 where he obtained his degree in electric bass with a full vote at the Arrigo Boito Conservatory, under the guidance of Maestro Paolo Costa.  At the same time he took part in performances of the Arturo Toscanini Foundation and recorded some tracks from the TV series “Braccialetti Rossi” created by Italian producer Michaelangelo.

He continues to study at the “G. Verdi” Conservatory in Mlian where he currently lives, performing in the most important international Jazz clubs such as Ronnie Scott’s in London, and the Blue Note in Milan opening for the band “Incognito” with singer Roberta Gentile.  He recorded on her last album produced by Bluey himself, and took part in the promotional tour in Italian clubs as well as the JazzMi festival. Raffaele took part in saxophonist Eric Darius’ Italian tour, and also in the club tour of actor and singer Jacopo Sarno.  He also contributed to the creation of David Ekerot’s album, with musicians such as Bob Mintzer and Corrado Rustici.

He has enriched his musical experience, both as a bassist and as a double bass player, with the musical “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” with over one hundred shows under the musical direction of Giovanni Maria Lori. He was part of Stefano Signoroni’s “MC Band” on the TV show Zelig C-LAB, and with the “Pino Daniele Foundation” he played live shows for the Griffoni Film Festival.
Currently he collaborates with various artists.

Since 2021, he’s been the bassist of singer Malika Ayane currently touring and together they have participated in live TV shows of Radio Italia and Battiti Live, opening the 80th Venice International Film Festival, and Time in Jazz at De Andre’s Agnata with participation from Paolo Fesu.

He also collaborated with JSWISS and Grammy award winners Michael Leohart and Casey Benjamin in the United Music of Deauville Festival in the Italian live shows, and in the live broadcast of the French station FIP radio.

Since 2022 he’s been the bassist of the singer Alfa, and performed together at the May 1st concert in Rome in 2023, as well as releasing the single “Bellissimissima”, winner of three platinum albums.

Since 2023 he has been the touring bassist of singer Chiara Galiazzo.
He combines live music and studio activities with teach activities.

“My JP has unprecedented ergonomics, it seems created for my hands.  Incredible versatility in terms of sound and extremely high construction quality… coupled with my Markbass amplifier, I always manage to achieve the sound that’s on my mind”.