Two continents, one unmistakable sound.
Julian Ferraretto grew up immersed in the tight-knit Italian community of north-eastern Adelaide, where an inherited love of melody set the course for a career built on the violin's most expressive edges. After training at the Elder Conservatorium — where he graduated with top honours in jazz performance — he relocated to London in 2002, and over the following decade became one of the city's most in-demand jazz and session violinists.
He shared stages with the Neil Cowley Trio, Natacha Atlas's Mazeeka Ensemble, Eska Mtungwazi and Robert Mitchell's Panacea, carrying his violin to the major stages of European jazz, from North Sea Jazz and Montreux to the London Jazz Festival. As an arranger and strings leader he worked across genres and generations, recording and performing alongside members of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and appearing on Later... with Jools Holland alongside Shakira.
Now based back home in Adelaide, Julian leads his own projects, composes for stage and screen, and teaches the next generation of string players at the Elder Conservatorium. He also tours nationally as a member of John Schumann's band, The Vagabond Crew, lending violin and mandolin to Schumann's celebrated Redgum songbook — bringing two decades of international stagecraft back to where it began.
Trained on the Elder Conservatorium stage. Forged on the London circuit. Still chasing the next phrase.
Hear Him Play
A handful of performances spanning Julian's London and Adelaide years — quartet jazz, vocal collaborations and session work alike.
In Partnership with Spur Violins
Julian performs on a semi-acoustic violin built by Melbourne luthier Paul Davies — the maker behind Spur Violins. Conceived to solve a problem players have wrestled with for decades, how to amplify a violin on stage without losing the warmth of its acoustic voice, Spur instruments pair traditional violin-making craft with a bold, contemporary silhouette drawn from the Art Deco era.
Julian first encountered the instrument in Davies' Melbourne workshop and has played one ever since, regarding it as one of the best investments he's made in his sound.
Written, Scored, Performed.
Alongside his life on stage, Julian writes — for record, for screen, and for the next generation of string players.
Near
Original modern jazz compositions threaded with folk and a handful of standards, written as a tribute to Julian's upbringing in Adelaide's north-eastern Italian community and the landscape that surrounded it. Recorded with pianist Robert Mitchell, bassist Andy Hamill and drummer Justin Woodward.
Leapers Reel
Selected as a set work for Trinity College London's Grade 5 violin exam syllabus, introducing a new generation of violin students to jazz phrasing inside a traditional reel.
Film, TV & Theatre Scores
Composing credits include Titus, Songs Inside and The Curious Brain in the Museum, with new work premiered at venues including the Sydney Opera House.
Strings & Orchestration
String writing that has shaped projects from Neil Cowley's touring show The Face of Mount Molehill to a one-off performance with members of the London Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall.
Graduation Day
The official music video for Graduation Day — composed by John Schumann, arranged and performed with The Vagabond Crew featuring Taasha Coates. Julian appears on violin as a member of the Crew, in a piece commissioned to address mental health within Australia's police forces.
Adelaide Film Festival & Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
Leading a live ensemble score for the Adelaide Film Festival in collaboration with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra — part of an ongoing thread of screen and orchestral work alongside Julian's own composing catalogue.
On Stage & Off
Moments from two decades on stage — quiet focus, full flight, and everything in between.
