Drummer/Percussionist Cristiano Novelli was born in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He has studied at Villa-Lobos School of Music, University of Rio de Janeiro, San Diego Mesa College, and privately with Robertinho Silva, Elcio Caffaro, and Guilherme Gonçalves. He has been playing professionally for 13 years. He has toured throughout Europe, Brazil, U.S., and Caribbean.



In the year of 2001 Chris Novelli moved to San Diego, California where he taught at Twentyman’s School of Music from 2001 to 2003. He was also the music columnist for the newspaper Brazilian Pacific Times in 2002. He moved to Los Angeles, California in the year of 2004.



Some of the artists Cristiano has performed with include:

Peter Sprague, Kamau Kenyatta, Dom Um Romão, Kátia Moraes, Marta Santamaria, Mitchell Long, Robert Kyle, Gary Meek, Kleber Jorge, Cassio Duarte, Kenny Goldberg, Jaime Valle, Alan Phillips, Bob Magnusson, Mark Augustin, Peter Pupping, Jay Myerson & Carol Fuller, Glen Fisher Con Alma, Joe Rathburn, Black Mambo, Calvin Romance, Eric Foster, David de Alva, Michael Battista, Calima, Joe Cano, Mario Olivares, Novelli, Milton Nascimento, Carol Saboya, Nico Assumpção, MPB-4, Golden Boys, Miúcha, Nelson Ângelo, Claudette Soares, Paula Morelenbaum, Daniel Gonzaga, Kiko Furtado, Disco & Cia, and many others. His recording credits include: Milton Nascimento, Julie Lavender, Calima, Joe Cano, Eric Foster, Hip Graffiti, Jazz’n Samba, Ju Chiaro, Daniel Gonzaga, Rafael Greick, amongst others.



Some of the venues Cristiano has performed include 4th & B (San Diego), Vibrato (LA), L’Hosteria (Aspen), KLRN 22nd Annual Festival (San Antonio), La Quinta Resort (Palm Springs), Street Scene Festival (San Diego), Vila de Famalicão Jazz Festival (Portugal), Canes (San Diego), The Athenaeum (La Jolla), Seaport Village (San Diego), Elario’s Jazz Bistro (La Jolla), Hyatt Regency (San Diego), Café Sevilla (Carlsbad and San Diego), Four Seasons Aviara Resort (Carlsbad), Marriott Bay Marina (San Diego), Mira Costa College (Oceanside), St Mary’s College (LA), Victor’s Bay (San Diego), Loews Resort (Coronado), Canecão (Rio de Janeiro), Costa Azul (Coronado), Garden hall (Rio de Janeiro), Transamérica Resort (São Paulo), Mistura Fina (Rio de Janeiro), Festival Praça da Consolação (São Paulo), Jazzmania (Rio de Janeiro), Rancho Bernardo Inn Resort, Teatro Rival (Rio de Janeiro), M Grill (LA), Jazz Master Series at Four Points Sheraton LAX (LA), amongst others.