In the Spotlight: IVANO BELLINI
01.2003

Born in Lausanne, Switzerland Ivano had music in his blood. Growing up watching his father playing in a jazz band throughout various Swiss clubs, Bellini had musical aspirations of his own. He enjoyed the atmosphere and the mood that his father's jazz band was able to create. Ivano wanted to emulate that same feeling through his own music. However, he studied the business end of clubs and music by attending hospitality school.

After trying his hand at hospitality school and nightclub management, Ivano left his administrative position to pursue his love of music and the turntables and never looked back. With a great deal of hard work and dedication, he soon became the most sought after DJ in Switzerland and later won 1st place at the 1989 Swiss DJ championship. Ivano soon learned of a city that was not only known for its hot weather, but also its hot nights. Within months, he was off to stake his claim in the ever-growing South Beach.

Ivano Bellini* was among a small crop of European DJs to hit the chic South Beach circuit. At the time the only place to go and hear the latest house music was the gay nightclubs. Ivano wanted to educate his audience on the hottest music and bring that same feeling of the gay clubs to the rest of the South Beach scene makers. Soon he was playing at legendary South Beach nightclubs such as "Le Loft", "Van Dome", "Dune", "Bash", "The Living Room", "BarRoom" & "320". Ivano Bellini* 's fierce beats attracted a celebrity following as well. Stars like Madonna, Prince, Leonardo DiCaprio, Al Pacino, George Clooney, Jack Nicholson, Mick Jagger, Puff Daddy, Dennis Rodman, Marilyn Manson & Lennox Lewis, just to name a few, came to hear his signature sounds. His fame crossed back the Atlantic and he started to be eagerly requested by many European clubs and he flew back regularly to the old continent to spin in clubs such as "It" in Amsterdam, "MAD" in Switzerland, "VIP" in St. Tropez, Zenith@"Pacha" in Ibiza and "Via Notte" in Corsica to name a few. These were some of the most sizzling nightclubs in Europe that to this day still remain destination points for the world's jet set. His travels even brought him to countries like Colombia, Chili, Ecuador and Bali. He also toured the US on a regular basis to appear in clubs such as "Glow" & "Crobar" (Chicago), "Plush" & "Velvet Lounge" in Atlanta, "South Beach" in Minneapolis, "Rio" in Las Vegas, "True" and the legendary "Studio 54" in New York. His numerous gigs gave him the opportunity to work alongside other world renowned DJs such as Moby, Danny Tenaglia, Carl Cox, Paul Van Dyk, DJ Tiesto, Deep Dish, Laurent Garnier, Timo Maas, Roger Sanchez, Armand Van Helden, Danny Rampling, Robbie Rivera* , Josh Wink, DJ Jean, DJ Pippi, and others.

In 1996 fellow DJs Pierre ZonZon* and Marc Sacheli* were aware of Bellini and the parties he played throughout Europe and on the "Beach." The two were looking to bring the growing “South Beach sound” to the rest of the world in the form of a new Miami Beach based record label. They needed a third component to make their company complete. Ivano Bellini* had the music history and the management skills to his credit to make their new label rock solid and within months S.F.P. Records was born.

These last two years saw Ivano’s fame grow to even greater proportions. With the successful commercial release of Ivano’s famous beats and flawless mixing style on CD compilations. Dreamscapes Vol.1 & Vol.2, Trance Addiction and more recently Space Vol.2 “The House Sessions” people from other cites and countries were finally able to get a glimpse of Ivano’s talent. Using the very little time he had left he still managed to spend some quality time in the recording studio producing & remixing tracks for his own S.F.P. record label including a slamming new remix on the B side of Danny Tenaglia’s new take on Circuit Boy’s “The Door”.

It was the same Danny Tenaglia who spent the last night of the 2001 Winter Music Conference dancing to Ivano’s tunes at the Space Terrace afterhours party and asked Ivano if he wanted to go to New York and play with him at his world famous “Be Yourself@Vinyl”. Ivano’s set that night also caught the attention of a DJ Magazine (UK) reporter who later wrote in his W.M.C. review that Ivano Bellini* had delivered a “monster marathon set” and was the “Best Surprise DJ Set” of the conference, praising his mixing talents as well as his music selection and calling him “the unsung hero of the conference”. A few month later he was invited by his new friend Danny Tenaglia to open for him at Vinyl and later filling-in for him while away in Europe.

With the success of his CD releases and a ever growing group of followers Ivano’s residencies in Opium and Crobar became part of the regular weekend route for the South Beach party scene. Also, his now world renowned marathon afterhours sets at Space became a phenomenon and he was followed religiously every Sunday morning, rain or shine, by his loyal fans who called themselves the “Space Cadets”.

Today Ivano Bellini* is as busy as he’s ever been. He travels the World to perform in various venues and was an incontournable presence at this year’s Winter Music Conference playing alongside the World’s best at the Ultra Festival and sharing center stage with Danny Tenaglia in his “own” Space Terrace for the conference closing party. Although he calls New York home, he still flies to Miami almost every weekends to play for his faithful crowd of followers. He still continues his long running residencies at Opium & Crobar. This month he will celebrate the first year anniversary of his “Origins” (Miami Beach most successful monthly party) at Crobar as well as the second anniversary of Club Space and his “Afterhours Sessions”. He also recently started two new projects with residencies at Miami Beach’s newest club: Spin and Miami’s latest addition to the afterhour scene: The Living Room Downtown.

“The future is as bright as can be” says Ivano when asked about his plans. “I’m very blessed! I love what I Do”. He’s planning for a very busy summer season. He’s already scheduled to appear in clubs or events in Ibiza, St. Tropez, Athens, Mykonos, London, Kiev, Caracas, Bogota, San Juan and Panama City. Ivano is also eagerly waiting for the commercial release of a mixed DVD compilation he just completed as well as new recording studio work in collaboration with famous European producers team of Kluster*

Q - Ivano, how did you get started in this business?
A - Music has always been a part of my life. My dad was a drummer in a jazz band and I grew up listening everything from Miles Davis to Abba and the Rolling stones. I did my first party at 13 for a friends B-day party and I loved it. I seams that the guest did too because after that day every time there was a party to do I was called to play music.

Q - What can Ivano Bellini music lovers expect in the upcoming year?
A - A new mixed CD compilation has been released on my record label: S.F.P. Records. It took a lot of time to choose the tracks, get the licensing rights, re-editing the tracks to fit the format and ultimately mixing them together. In the next year fans can expect a new mixed CD, maybe two. New productions / remixes.

Q - In your opinion, what makes you stand out from others in your field?
A - My music selection, the heart & soul that I put in my craft, my energy, not being afraid of creating and breaking boundaries.

Q - What is your most memorable moment as a DJ?
A - There are plenty but I would say playing in front of 25000 people opening for Black Box 12 years ago in Colombia and sharing decks with Danny Tenaglia

Q - Is there anything about you people don't know that may surprise them?
A - I was born and raised in Switzerland but I don't eat chocolate and cheese...

Q - If you had to describe yourself in 3 words, how would you do it?
A - Passionate, easy going, real. Sorry that's 4 words, oh well...

Q - What do you consider your best quality to be?
A - Open minded.

Q - What do you do for fun when you are not Djing?
A - My weekends are crazy so when I'm not playing I like to just chill and enjoy life. Love to eat out, movies, travel and just stay around the house and lounge...

Q - For all the fans, "How does it feel to be Ivano Bellini"?
A - Right now it feels awesome. I'm doing what I always wanted to do and I enjoy it more now than ever. I get to play the music I really love in for people that are there to hear what I have to tell them that night and I get to travel around the world to spread the love

Q - What inspires you the most in life?
A - Learning, improving and growing every day.

Q - What is your favorite food?
A - Italian, of course!!

Q - What do you like most about Miami?
A - The sun...well not these days but usually.

Q - What kind of kid were you growing up?
A - A good kid, I guess, but you would have to talk to my mom to confirm. Funny boy always down for a good prank.

Q - Growing up, what did you think you'd become?
A - For the longest time I wanted to be a doctor until I realized how many years of school I had to go through before becoming one.

Q - What advice would you give someone interested in your field?
A - Go for it! But with caution and keep in mind that for every 'successful' DJ there are 10 or 20 struggling ones. Go in it gradually. Try to find a way to play with a friend's system before investing all your money in it. See if you're any good at it and if you like it. Then buy your own system. Practice, practice and practice some more.

Q - Any Last words:
A - Come to hear my music (or any other DJ) with an open mind.

Ivano holds residencies at Spin (Friday nights), Crobar (Saturday nights), Space (Sunday mornings, afterhours) & Opium (Sunday night).

Trance Addiction & The Sound, The Light, available at: www.sfprecords.com

OFFICIAL WEB SITES: www.ivanobellini.com | www.sfprecords.com