Luca "Jontom" Tomassini: The Man Who Forged the Italian Ukulele Scene

In every cultural movement, there are figures whose contributions are so fundamental they become woven into the fabric of the story itself. For the ukulele in Italy, one of those figures is undoubtedly Luca "Jontom" Tomassini, a musician, friend, and educator who played a pivotal role in transforming the instrument from a niche curiosity into a widespread passion. This is the story of his journey and his impact on the Italian community.

UkeIt: The First Sound of a Scene

Every great story has a turning point. For the Italian ukulele, one of those moments was a compilation album: "UkeIt - L'ukulele italiano - vol. 1" (2009). Jontom's participation in this pioneering project wasn't just an artistic contribution; it was the recognition of a huge, fragmented potential. That record was the birth of an awareness: Italian ukulelists existed, but they needed a place to gather.

The Hub: YOUkulele.com

Having identified that need, Jontom founded YOUkulele.com, the first Italian portal and forum dedicated to the four strings. It quickly became the virtual hub for an entire community. A place to share chords, ask for advice, and, most importantly, realize you were part of a growing movement. YOUkulele.com filled a void, connecting thousands of musicians.

The Foundational Guide: The "No Panic" Manual

Once the community was established, it needed a common language. With his "Manuale di ukulele No Panic" (No Panic Ukulele Manual), Luca Tomassini offered just that: a clear, accessible, and encouraging guide. Written in a direct style, it showed anyone that the joy of playing was within reach. It effectively became the book on which an entire generation learned their first chords.

A 360-Degree Educator: Working with Major Publishers

The success of "No Panic" was just the beginning of his journey as an educator. Solidifying his role, Jontom began a prolific collaboration with prestigious publishers like Volontè & Co. and Hal Leonard. For them, he published key books like the "Canzoniere Ukulele Maxi" and the "Lucio Battisti - Supercanzoniere per Ukulele"—the first and only official Battisti songbook ever authorized for the instrument. This was a monumental achievement, making the repertoire of one of Italy's most beloved songwriters accessible to all ukulelists through accurate transcriptions with clear diagrams. These were joined by the e-book "Impara l'ukulele in 24 ore" (Learn the Ukulele in 24 Hours), designed for an even faster start.

The Ukulele Artist: Stages, Albums, and Collaborations

Parallel to his work as a community builder and educator, his artistic career flourished. He released albums like "I Need You Both" and "Lilikoi," exploring sounds from folk to electronica. He was the first Italian to grace legendary stages like the Ukulele Festival of Hawai'i and has collaborated with renowned artists such as Italian pop star Max Pezzali and Grammy-winning guitarist Jeff Peterson, acting as a true ambassador for the Italian ukulele scene on the world stage.

A Complete Musician

Luca's commitment to the ukulele is part of a broader, more structured musical career. His background, which includes classical piano, harmonica, and orchestration, has led him to work professionally as a composer and sound designer for media like television, film, and advertising, further spreading the sound of our beloved instrument.

Ultimately, to trace Luca's story is to understand how a genuine musical culture is born and nurtured. His merit wasn't just being a great musician, but giving thousands of people the tools and the space to become musicians themselves. The ukulele ecosystem we enjoy in Italy today is, in large part, his legacy.

We hope his journey is an inspiration. If it has sparked your own desire to start playing, here on the Mercatino dell'Ukulele blog, we strive to carry on that same mission of accessibility. We offer practical guides to accompany you from your very first steps, like choosing the right instrument, all the way to strumming your first songs.