Natale Massara

Life and career

Born in Oleggio, Massara graduated in composition, clarinet and saxophone from the Milan Conservatory. He started his career in 1959, as a member of the band I Ribelli; when the group was put under contract by Clan Celentano, he started collaborating as a songwriter with Adriano Celentano, notably penning the hits "Grazie prego scusi" and "La festa", as well as with other artists of the label such as Gino Santercole and . He was a longtime collaborator of Pino Donaggio, serving as conductor in most of his musical film scores from 1974 onwards, as well as of Milva and Mia Martini; his collaborations also include Mina, Rita Pavone, Donatella Rettore, Equipe 84, Dik Dik, Il Guardiano del Faro, Wilma Goich, Antoine, Wess and Dori Ghezzi. In 1971, he composed and recorded two albums of instrumental music, Politica and Amore giovane.