Antonio Petralia
Jazz Drummer · Composer · Artistic Director
Antonio Petralia (born in Catania in 1966) is a jazz drummer, composer and artistic director. A graduate in Jazz Drums and Percussion from the “Vincenzo Bellini” Conservatory in Catania, he performs, records and works in artistic direction, collaborating with Italian and international musicians and taking part in festivals, concert series and projects in Italy and abroad.
He is the artistic director of Associazione Culturale Musikante, developing projects devoted to jazz production, international touring and supporting emerging musicians. His current projects include APJ Sicilian Trio, an ensemble with which he continues to develop his artistic vision on the international jazz scene.
ARTISTIC PROJECTS
Antonio Petralia’s artistic work spans contemporary jazz, composition and original projects, with a particular focus on musical dialogue, the development of a personal voice, and national and international touring.
APJ Sicilian Trio
APJ Sicilian Trio is led by drummer and composer Antonio Petralia, with Angelo Di Leonforte on piano and Riccardo Grosso on double bass. The trio brings together three musicians with distinct backgrounds and sensibilities, united by an approach to jazz rooted in listening, interplay and the freedom of improvisation.
Their repertoire combines original compositions with fresh interpretations of the jazz tradition, treated as starting points for an ongoing musical conversation. The writing leaves room for improvisation and each performer’s individual voice, balancing lyricism, rhythmic exploration and tradition.
In 2027, APJ Sicilian Trio will be at the heart of Antonio Petralia’s international concert activity, with a touring programme aimed at European festivals, jazz clubs and cultural institutions. Scheduled appearances include the Bitola Jazz Festival and Jazz Intermezzo at HGZ in Zagreb.
Antonio Petralia – drums · Angelo Di Leonforte – piano · Riccardo Grosso – double bass
International Dates 2027 · Bitola Jazz Festival · Zagreb – Jazz Intermezzo / HGZ
Other projects and collaborations
Simona Trentacoste Special 4tet
Simona Trentacoste Special 4et →
Simona Trentacoste 4et brings together vocalist Simona Trentacoste and the trio of Angelo Di Leonforte on piano, Riccardo Grosso on double bass and Antonio Petralia on drums.
The project explores a repertoire in which the voice engages with the language of contemporary jazz, allowing ample room for interplay and improvisation. Vocals become an integral part of the instrumental texture, in a musical journey spanning tradition, reinterpretation and expressive exploration.
Simona Trentacoste – vocals · Angelo Di Leonforte – piano · Riccardo Grosso – double bass · Antonio Petralia – drums
Simona Trentacoste SMAT 4et
SMAT Quartet brings together Simona Trentacoste on vocals, Tony Brundo on piano, Massimo Moriconi on double bass and Antonio Petralia on drums. Built on a longstanding artistic collaboration, the project develops a language in which jazz, songwriting and original compositions meet, with interplay at its core.
In December 2025, the quartet released the album Siamo Molto Interessati, a recording that reflects the group’s musical journey and also includes “Se Domani Volerò (If I Flew)”, a composition by Antonio Petralia and Simona Trentacoste.
Simona Trentacoste – vocals · Tony Brundo – piano · Massimo Moriconi – double bass · Antonio Petralia – drums
Artistic direction
Alongside his work as a musician and composer, Antonio Petralia has been actively involved for many years in artistic direction, cultural planning and production. As artistic director of Associazione Culturale Musikante, he curates festivals, concert series, productions and projects dedicated to sharing jazz, supporting emerging musicians and building national and international artistic networks.
His work combines artistic programming, production and the development of cultural projects, encouraging dialogue between musicians, institutions, conservatories and local communities.
Education and professional background
Antonio Petralia graduated in Jazz Drums and Percussion from the “Vincenzo Bellini” Conservatory in Catania, pursuing studies focused on the language of jazz and improvisation. His education has also been enriched by workshops and encounters with musicians including Stjepko Gut, Barry Harris, Salvatore Bonafede and Giovanni Mazzarino.
Alongside performing, he has developed his work as a composer, producer and artistic director, gaining experience across concerts, recordings, festivals, cultural planning and collaborations with musicians and institutions.
Artistic collaborations
Throughout his career, Antonio Petralia has shared projects, productions and stages with Italian and international musicians, developing collaborations through performance, production and artistic direction.
These encounters have shaped a musical path open to different languages and generations, with jazz providing common ground for dialogue, improvisation and exploration.
Selected collaborations: Salvatore Bonafede, Stjepko Gut, Francesco Cafiso, Massimo Moriconi, Giuseppe Milici, Roberto Martinelli, Anita Vitale, Simona Trentacoste, Tony Brundo, Ratko Zjaca.
Selected discography
Antonio Petralia’s recordings trace his development as a drummer and composer, documenting original projects, collaborations and different stages of his musical exploration.
2026 · Tita’s Changes — APJ Sicilian Trio
2025 · Siamo Molto Interessati — SMAT Quartet
2020 · It's a Secret — PAS Trio
Writing and other pursuits
Alongside music, Antonio Petralia explores writing as another form of research and storytelling. In 2025, he published the novel Sia Cielo che Terra, presented at events exploring the dialogue between literature, music and culture.
Booking & Contacts
Concerts, festivals, collaborations and artistic proposals
Musikante Cultural Association
Email: info@musikante.eu
Web www.musikante.eu
International Booking
For international booking enquiries, festival appearances, artistic collaborations and concert proposals concerning Antonio Petralia and APJ Sicilian Trio, please contact:
Musikante Cultural Association
Email: info@musikante.eu
Web www.musikante.eu