in 1972) is an Italian drummer and composer. He works primarily in the fields of free improvisation

Free improvisation

Free improvisation or free music is improvised music without any rules beyond the logic or inclination of the musician involved. The term can refer to both a technique and as a recognizable genre in its own right....

 and jazz

Jazz

Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...

. Originally from Italy, he has lived in New York City

New York City

New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...

 since 2000, and is based in Brooklyn, New York. He attended music schools in Rome until 1994 when he moved to London, England.

He has performed or recorded with Daniel Carter

Daniel Carter (musician)

Daniel Carter is an American free jazz saxophone, flute, clarinet, and trumpet player active mainly in New York City since the early 1970s...

, the group WAKE UP!, William Parker

William Parker (musician)

William Parker is an American free jazz double bassist, poet and composer.-Biography:Parker was not formally trained as a classical player, though he did study with Jimmy Garrison, Richard Davis, and Wilbur Ware and learned the tradition. Parker is one of few jazz bassists who regularly plays arco...

, Steve Swell, The Cinematic Orchestra

The Cinematic Orchestra

The Cinematic Orchestra is a British jazz and electronic outfit, created in 1997 by Jason Swinscoe. The band is signed to Ninja Tune independent record label. In addition to Swinscoe, the band includes PC former DJ Food member on turntables, Luke Flowers , Tom Chant , Nick Ramm , Stuart McCallum ...

, and others. He has collaborated with the poet Steve Dalachinsky

Steve Dalachinsky

Steve Dalachinsky is a New York downtown poet. He is active in the poetry, music, art and music- Free jazz scene.Dalachinsky was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1946...

.

Ughi is also the founder of 577 Records, an independent record label based in New York City, which he ran from 2001-2008.

BLG of Downtown Music Gallery said about Ughi in 2006 “He just might be downtown's best under-recognized jazz drummer at present.” and in 2009 was again described by BLG as a "free/improv wizard". Steven Loewy of Cadence Magazine said about Ughi "Federico Ughi is characteristically splendid, his drums serving as much more than a rhythmic undercurrent..."

Selected discography

Kirk Knuffke, Federico Ughi, Chris Welcome "Garden Of Gifts" (577 Records)

Eri Yamanmoto "Duologue" (Aum Fidelity)

Daniel Carter

Daniel Carter (musician)

Daniel Carter is an American free jazz saxophone, flute, clarinet, and trumpet player active mainly in New York City since the early 1970s...

, William Parker

William Parker (musician)

William Parker is an American free jazz double bassist, poet and composer.-Biography:Parker was not formally trained as a classical player, though he did study with Jimmy Garrison, Richard Davis, and Wilbur Ware and learned the tradition. Parker is one of few jazz bassists who regularly plays arco...

, Federico Ughi "The Dream" (577 Records)

Federico Ughi with Daniel Carter

Daniel Carter (musician)

Daniel Carter is an American free jazz saxophone, flute, clarinet, and trumpet player active mainly in New York City since the early 1970s...

"Astonishment" (577 Records)

Federico Ughi "The Space Within" (Slam Productions, UK)