Born in Orsara, Italy, Lucio Ferrara studied clarinet before turning to the guitar. He graduated in Jazz from the “G. B. Martini” Conservatory in Bologna and later pursued further studies at the Conservatory of Adria.

Over the course of his career, he has performed extensively in Italy and abroad. His early musical experiences included several years with Bruno Tommaso’s Tentet, as well as leading his own quintet, with which he recorded his first album. He also established himself as a sought-after sideman.

In 2012, Ferrara moved to the United States, where he developed an intense performing career, appearing at major New York jazz clubs, including Dizzy’s, Smalls and Fat Cat, and at festivals such as the Rochester International Jazz Festival and the Bud Powell Jazz Festival.

During his time in New York, he collaborated with numerous outstanding musicians, including Peter Bernstein, Harry Allen, Joe Magnarelli, Antonio Ciacca, Greg Hutchinson, Doug Weiss, Joe Farnsworth and Francisco Mela. He has also performed with jazz masters Benny Golson, Joey DeFrancesco, Jerry Bergonzi, Harold Mabern and Lee Konitz. With Konitz, he recorded the album It’s All Right with Me.

Alongside his performing career, Ferrara has maintained an active commitment to jazz education. He has taught at the Lagos Jazz Festival in Portugal, Tuscia in Jazz and the La Spezia Jazz Workshop. Since 2004, he has served as director and faculty member of the Orsara International Jazz Seminars. He also directed the Tuscia in Jazz and La Spezia Jazz workshops in 2010 and 2011.

In 2014, he returned to Italy, where he expanded his teaching activities at several Italian conservatories, including those in Avellino, Cosenza, Sassari, Udine, Benevento, Lecce, Livorno, Trapani, Monopoli and Bari.

He currently teaches jazz guitar at the “G. Nicolini” Conservatory of Music in Piacenza, Italy.