Gianni Cazzola: key obituary facts
Is Gianni Cazzola dead? Yes. Gianni Cazzola died on July 18, 2026, at age 88.
Cause of death: Gianni Cazzola's cause of death was reported as Heart attack.
What was Gianni Cazzola known for?
He was an Italian jazz drummer.
More about Gianni Cazzola
Born: 9 May 1938.
Place of birth: San Giovanni in Persiceto.
Gender: male.
Occupation: jazz musician.
Nationality: Italy.
Gianni Cazzola, the Italian jazz drummer, died on July 18, 2026, at the age of 88.
Born in San Giovanni in Persiceto on May 9, 1938, he became one of the most prolific and respected instrumentalists on the Italian jazz scene. He began playing drums as a child and quickly developed a strong command of the instrument, helped by listening to leading American jazz drummers.
His professional career started in 1957, when at 19 he joined guitarist Franco Cerri’s group, and he later worked with saxophonist Gianni Basso and trumpeter Oscar Valdambrini. In 1988 he founded the Italian Repertory Quartet with bassist Piero Leveratto, pianist Marcello Tonolo and tenor saxophonist Jacopo Jacopetti, and in 1992 he began collaborating with pianist Dado Moroni’s trio alongside bassist Rosario Bonaccorso.