Italian Musician Roberto Tola Triumphs at the 2025 Hollywood Independent Music Awards
Roberto Tola was awarded Best Jazz Song at the 2025 Hollywood Independent Music Awards for his track Lightness. He also received nominations in the categories Latin Traditional for From Rio To São Paulo and Holiday for Christmas For Sale. This recognition adds to Tola’s growing international acclaim as a guitarist and composer with over forty years of experience in the contemporary jazz scene.
Born in Sassari (Sardinia, Italy), Tola began studying music at a young age and completed his classical training with a diploma in guitar from the Conservatory. In the early 1980s, he founded the group Jazzmania and went on to collaborate for more than two decades with the Sardinia Jazz Orchestra, performing at major festivals and sharing the stage with renowned conductors and soloists such as Carla Bley, Bob Mintzer, Colin Towns, and Giorgio Gaslini.
Throughout his career, Tola has worked with prominent Italian and international artists, including Billy Cobham, Paolo Fresu, Enrico Rava, Steve Swallow, Richard Galliano, Michael Lington, Najee, Jill Saward, Darryl Walker, Paula Atherton, and Andy Sheppard. His discography—including Bein’ Green, Colors, Kon Tiki, Under the Leo Sign, and Jazz Junction—offers a personal take on contemporary jazz, blending elements of Latin, funk, and smooth jazz.
Since 2017, Tola has received numerous international awards, including several Independent Music Awards, Global Music Awards, and Hollywood Music in Media Awards. With this year’s victory, he reaffirms his place among the leading Italian artists in the international independent music scene, recognized for his artistic depth and his ability to collaborate across diverse musical genres.
“Being here among some of the greatest musicians in the world, as the only Italian representative, and winning this award is an immense joy,” Tola said. “I dedicate this victory to everyone who supported and believed in me—my partner Natalia, my family, my brother Tony, and also my father and my sister Tiana, who recently passed away. I dedicate this to Sassari, Sardinia, and Italy, and to everyone who believes in music as a source of inspiration and freedom.”
The Hollywood Independent Music Awards (HIMA) are an international platform that celebrates and supports independent music, recognizing artists, songwriters, and industry professionals. Founded by Brent Harvey, the awards spotlight both emerging and established talent and provide resources and development opportunities to support independent careers.
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Roberto Tola was awarded Best Jazz Song at the 2025 Hollywood Independent Music Awards for his track Lightness. He also received nominations in the categories Latin Traditional for From Rio To São Paulo and Holiday for Christmas For Sale. This recognition adds to Tola’s growing international acclaim as a guitarist and composer with over forty years of experience in the contemporary jazz scene.
Born in Sassari (Sardinia, Italy), Tola began studying music at a young age and completed his classical training with a diploma in guitar from the Conservatory. In the early 1980s, he founded the group Jazzmania and went on to collaborate for more than two decades with the Sardinia Jazz Orchestra, performing at major festivals and sharing the stage with renowned conductors and soloists such as Carla Bley, Bob Mintzer, Colin Towns, and Giorgio Gaslini.
Throughout his career, Tola has worked with prominent Italian and international artists, including Billy Cobham, Paolo Fresu, Enrico Rava, Steve Swallow, Richard Galliano, Michael Lington, Najee, Jill Saward, Darryl Walker, Paula Atherton, and Andy Sheppard. His discography—including Bein’ Green, Colors, Kon Tiki, Under the Leo Sign, and Jazz Junction—offers a personal take on contemporary jazz, blending elements of Latin, funk, and smooth jazz.
Since 2017, Tola has received numerous international awards, including several Independent Music Awards, Global Music Awards, and Hollywood Music in Media Awards. With this year’s victory, he reaffirms his place among the leading Italian artists in the international independent music scene, recognized for his artistic depth and his ability to collaborate across diverse musical genres.
“Being here among some of the greatest musicians in the world, as the only Italian representative, and winning this award is an immense joy,” Tola said. “I dedicate this victory to everyone who supported and believed in me—my partner Natalia, my family, my brother Tony, and also my father and my sister Tiana, who recently passed away. I dedicate this to Sassari, Sardinia, and Italy, and to everyone who believes in music as a source of inspiration and freedom.”
The Hollywood Independent Music Awards (HIMA) are an international platform that celebrates and supports independent music, recognizing artists, songwriters, and industry professionals. Founded by Brent Harvey, the awards spotlight both emerging and established talent and provide resources and development opportunities to support independent careers.
Share:
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