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James Senese

1945 – 2025

Italian saxophonist, composer, and singer-songwriter

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About James Senese

Lived 1945 – 2025 (aged 80). James Senese was an Italian saxophonist, songwriter, singer-songwriter, jazz musician and composer.

Gaetano "James" Senese (6 January 1945 – 29 October 2025) was an Italian saxophonist, composer and singer-songwriter.

Life and career Senese was born in Naples, the son of Anna Senese and James Smith, an American soldier from North Carolina in Italy because of World War II. Senese started playing the saxophone at 12 years old.

In 1974 Senese co-founded and led the jazz-progressive rock group . After the group disbanded in 1978, he started a long collaboration with Pino Daniele, both in studio and on stage. His first solo album was released in 1983 by Polydor Records.

Senese died of pneumonia at Cardarelli Hospital in Naples, on 29 October 2025, at the age of 80. He had been hospitalised since 24 September.

Discography James Senese (Polydor, 1983) Il passo del gigante (Tobacco, 1984) Alhambra (EMI Italiana, 1988) Hey James (Blue Angel, 1991) Sabato Santo (Polosud, 2000) Passpartù (ITWHY, 2003) Tribù e passione (with Enzo Gragnaniello) (Edel Italia, 2003) E' Fernut' 'o Tiempo (Arealive, 2012) O sanghe (Alabianca/Warner, 2016) Chest nun é a terra mia - (Arealive, 2025)

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Important facts

People in James Senese's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped James Senese's

Frequently asked questions

Who was James Senese?

Italian saxophonist, composer, and singer-songwriter

When was James Senese born?

James Senese was born on 6 January 1945 in Naples.

When did James Senese die?

James Senese died on 29 October 2025 in Naples.

What was James Senese's occupation?

James Senese was a saxophonist, songwriter, singer-songwriter, jazz musician and composer.

What nationality was James Senese?

James Senese was Italian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: James Senese

· Wikidata: Q3806721

· DBpedia: James Senese

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). James Senese. https://biography.guide/james-senese/

MLA: "James Senese." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/james-senese/.

Chicago: "James Senese." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/james-senese/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-23 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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