Massimo Faraò, known as "the blackest of Italian pianists," was born on May 16, 1965, in Genoa, Italy. He studied piano under Maestro Flavio Crivelli and began his career collaborating with local musicians, notably bassist Piero Leveratto. In 1993, Faraò made his first trip to the United States, performing with Red Holloway and Albert "Tootie" Heath on a West Coast tour. That same year, he founded the "We Love Jazz" Workshop, which has grown into a significant jazz education event in Europe.

In 1994, Faraò signed with Monad Records in New York and returned to the U.S. as a pianist and music director for Shawnn Monteiro's band, alongside Keter Betts and Bobby Durham. He toured Europe with the Nat Adderley Quintet, featuring Antonio Hart, Walter Booker, and Jimmy Cobb. In 2001, he joined Archie Shepp's "Just in Time" Quartet with Wayne Dockery and Bobby Durham. Faraò has served as the artistic director for the jazz division of AZZURRA MUSIC since 2001.

His performances have taken him to numerous countries, including Italy, France, Germany, Japan, and the United States. In Japan, his albums have become bestsellers. Since 2014, he has recorded 12 CDs for the renowned Japanese jazz label Venus Records. Faraò has recorded over 200 CDs with both Italian and international musicians and continues to be an influential figure in the jazz world.