ABOUT
Stefano Rocco started playing classical guitar at the age of 7 and soon after he began performing in the local area of his
hometown Monfalcone.
In his teens, he started playing electric guitar in the styles of rock, blues, and fusion, showing a great interest for improvisation, which later led him to study jazz.
After his move to London in 2009, he started playing as a sideman for different singers and bands both in-studio and live, this experience allowed him to explore the London music scene and meet new musicians who were relevant influences.
In 2011, he began the Jazz Bachelor Degree at Middlesex University, London studying with Stuart Hall, Carl Orr, Nikki Iles, Chris Batchelor, Rob Townsend, and many other renowned jazz educators.
In 2014, after graduating with BA Jazz (Hons) he relocated to Sydney, where he quickly started performing and teaching guitar.
After meeting pianist Pablo Puentes and double bassist Muhamed Mehmedbasic, they formed Syd’ Side Trio and started playing in venues around Sydney.
This led to a weekly residency in one of the venues, since 2018 Stefano continues hosting this weekly jazz event in Surry Hills, having the opportunity to play with some of Sydney’s most talented jazz musicians.
Stefano has been focusing consistently on writing his compositions; in August 2019 he and his quartet recorded his debut album “A NEW NIGHT, A NEW DAY”. The quartet features Muhamed Mehmedbasic on double bass, Nick Southcott on piano and Ed Rodrigues on drums.
Stefano is also a passionate guitar teacher and has gained significant experience teaching one-on-one, groups, and ensembles in primary and high schools across Sydney.
"A New Night, A New Day" is the first studio album by Stefano Rocco Quartet, it was released in January 2020. The album narrates a story in seven episodes, chronologically unfolding over the lapse of 24 hours. Each song represents a place, a time and a mood felt by an unknown character at the centre of the story.
Guitar and compositions: Stefano Rocco
Drums: Ed Rodrigues
Bass: Muhamed Mehmedbasic
Piano: Nick Southcott
MUSIC
PRESS
"...it was also a time when art and music gave us the ray of light, and the sense of connection, that we mostly needed. Stefano’s music did just that; his album A New Night, A New Day is a perfect demonstration of his humanistic approach to jazz, creating soothing and heartwarming soundscapes..."
NIKOLAS FOTAKIS - AustralianJazz.net
"Guitarist Stefano Rocco delivers a sparkling gem of an album sure to garnish critical acclaim."
EDWARD BLANCO - AllAboutJazz
"...delivered in a cunning and uniquely collective fashion taking the listener on a journey through different moods and places"(Read full article)
BARRY O'SULLIVAN - Jazzandbeyond
"Jazzy storytelling!"
WULF MULLER - wulfmuller.wordpress.com
LIVE
2025
Fri 17/01/25 Stefano Rocco Quartet, Prulček, Ljiubliana, Slovenia
Sat 18/01/25 Stefano Rocco Quartet, Arsenale Jazz, Cividale, Italy
Wed 22/01/25 Stefano Rocco Quartet, White Cube, Hamburg, Germany
Thu 23/01/25 Stefano Rocco Quartet, Jazzklub Divino, Espergaerde, Denmark
Fri 24/01/25 Stefano Rocco Quartet, Gyngen (Mariza Hall) Aarhus, Denmark
Sat 25/01/25 Stefano Rocco Quartet, Antwerpen, Jazz Café DeMuze, Belgium
Sun 26/01/25 Stefano Rocco Quartet, Corte dei Miracoli, Milan, Italy
2023
Saturday 24 June, with Bonnie J Jensen,
Foundry 616, Sydney, NSW
Saturday 13 May, with Helen Fenton,
Foundry 616, Sydney, NSW, buy tickets
Saturday 11 March, with Helen Fenton,
Miss Celies, Ashfield, NSW
Wednesday 18 January, Stefano Rocco Quartet
The Brunswick Green, Melbourne, VIC buy tickets
Tuesday 17 January, Stefano Rocco Quartet
Smith's Alternative, Canberra, ACT buy tickets
2022
Saturday 22 January 2022, Stefano Rocco Quartet
DOWNSTAIRS Avalon,18 Katoomba St, Katoomba, New South Wales 2780. buy tickets
Thursday, 3 February 2022, Stefano Rocco Quartet
BUTCHERS BREW BAR, Dulwich Hill NSW 2203. buy tickets
2020
6th Feb, Foundry 616, Sydney, AUS. buy tickets