Giacomo Turra is an Italian musician born in Milan in 1997.
Moving to Trento in 2005, Giacomo began playing guitar as a self-taught at the age of 13, intrigued by his father's vinyls of Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock and Weather Report, and in the years to follow he took part in several original music projects, ranging between R&B, Funk and Jazz.
In March 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic and unable to perform concerts, Giacomo decided to open an Instagram account and began posting short videos of his performances from his camera. Before long, the videos go viral, reaching millions of views and enabling Giacomo to become an Artist for D'Angelico Guitars in New York and gain a following of hundreds of thousands of followers from around the world.
In July 2021, he decided to release The Groove Sessions, a compilation of Soul and Funk tracks that he rearranged and recorded remotely with renowned musicians and singers from around the world such as Brandon "TAZ" Niederauer, Jessica Burdeaux, Phoebe Katis, Carson Elliott, George Collins, and Augie Bello.
On November 12, 2021, James performed abroad for the first time in a performance at Amsterdam's famous Paradiso at the Soul Live Festival in front of 3000 people.
In December 2021, Matteo Dallape', Francesco Dallago and Anna Pollinari joined the project as Giacomo Turra's band, The Funky Minutes, appearing in several of his videos.
Between January and February 2022, Giacomo and his band leave for the United States to meet and make contacts with important American producers and musicians, also performing at several venues in Dallas and New York.
On August 26, 2022, Giacomo releases his first original track Get Into The Groove under Vokall Records.
The following day, Giacomo and his band performed together with Joss Stone, Candy Dulfer, Samm Hennshaw and many other artists at the summer edition of the Soul Live Festival in Den Bosch, Netherlands, in front of 5000 people. On the same day, Alessandro Russo joins the band on saxophone and percussions.
On October 21, 2022, Giacomo releases his second single Sweet Life, in collaboration with Verona-based R&B singer Filippo Perbellini, produced by Stereocool.
In January 2023, Giacomo announces his signature line of pickups with the Italian brand Mama Pickups.
On February 3, 2022, Giacomo and his band leave for Tel Aviv, Israel, to perform two sold-out dates at The Zone club.
On February 28, Giacomo announces his signature pedal with Canadian brand SolidGoldFX, the SupaFunk Envelope Filter Giacomo Turra Signature.
On March 3, 2023, Giacomo opens French musician Mezerg's date at Fabrique in Milan in front of 3000 people.
On April 21, Giacomo releases his third original single Closer, a collaboration with American singer Nic Hanson and Italian bassist Gabriele Costa.
One month later, Giacomo announces on his socials a headlining North American Tour with his band with more than 30 dates in the United States and Canada, from September to November 2023.
In June, Giacomo is invited to the legendary Java Jazz Festival in Jakarta, Indonesia, along with Cory Wong, Nate Smith, Jesus Molina, Mario Biondi, Matt Johnson, Laufey, Grace Kelly, Bob James, Jose James, and Sister Sledge. Giacomo performs at the festival with his band on June 2 and 4.
Soon after, Giacomo and his band travel to Bali to play at the first edition of the Kura Kura Bali Jazz Festival, performing with Maurice Brown, Balawan and Tony Monaco.
After returning to Italy, Giacomo announces his new endorsement with Mayones Guitars and Laney Amplification.
In September 2023, Giacomo and his band The Funky Minutes embarked a North American Tour across United States and Canada, playing 31 shows in 2 months, selling out over 12 venues in New York, San Diego, Boston, Nashville, Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia.
In December 2023, the band flew to Singapore as international guests of the Jazz By The Cove Festival in Sentosa Island.