Born on 26 September 1927, in Carpena, Forlì, Italy. The third and youngest son of the fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, who was executed by partisans at the end of World War II, he played piano under a pseudonym (Romano Full) in his early years. By the early 50s he was becoming known outside Italy thanks to festival appearances and his work as an accompanist to visiting jazzmen. Among the visitors were Lars Gullin and Chet Baker (reportedly, Baker, worried over how to handle his first meeting with Mussolini, stuck out his hand and blurted out, ‘Sorry to hear about your Dad!’).

Mussolini collaborates with trumpeter jazz star Nunzio Rotondo, also leds regularly his own small groups, usually playing in a boppish mode; he developed a technically accomplished solo style. The most famous of these was the Romano Mussolini All Stars, which toured internationally with artists including Baker, Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie.

At the time of his death he was the last surviving child of Benito Mussolini. He died from heart problems in a hospital in Rome on February 3, 2006, aged 78.

—Scott Yanow (All Music Guide)