David Castellani

Producer, modular synthesist and Noetic label boss David Castellani was born in Italy but moved to Chicago at a young age. As a teenager Castellani soon absorbed himself into the city's bustling music scene, wandering into a Chicago Blues clubs to meet Afro Cuban percussionist Juma Santos - who featured on the legendary Miles Davis album ‘Bitches Brew’. Jumas taught Castellani drums - an experience that has stayed with him until this day. “It was one of the most vivid memories of my youth. We just spent hours playing drums together and then we’d indulge in some cannabis while Juma would share stories about hanging out with Miles Davis in the 70s. I was
about 17 and remember travelling home, thinking how excited I was to start this new journey in music. And most of all, this helped me understand the value of education via a proper teacher within music.”

Castellani went on to master different instruments, while playing with hardware and techniques - an aficionado of all things modular with a focus on driving, contemporary techno. He taught at Chicago's Columbia College and various intercity schools for over 10 years.