Born in Locarno and raised in Giornico, Marco Santilli is a versatile freelance musician. After earning his degree as an orchestral, teaching, and solo clarinetist (Premier Prix de Virtuosité) from the conservatories of Zurich and Lausanne, he devoted himself to improvisation and composition, blending various influences to create a unique style that defies classification.

Santilli has composed commissioned works for festivals such as Alpentöne, Stubete am See, Concerti in San Martino, and Museo Vela. With ten albums and several EPs and singles to his name, he has performed his music, which spans jazz, classical, world music, folk, pop, and rock, across Europe, Asia, and the USA.

As a member of the Philharmonia Zurich Orchestra, he had the opportunity to arrange for the “Telling Stories with Music” series at the Zurich Opera House. Santilli has extensive experience conducting big bands, wind orchestras, and clarinet choirs, and has arranged pieces for these ensembles.

He serves on the SUISA Works and Distribution Commission and is an official endorser of Henri Selmer Paris and Silverstein Works.