Biography of Mario Biondi

Black voice, heart siciliano

January 28, 1971 Mario Ranno, aka Mario Biondi was born in Catania, Sicily, on 28 January 1971. Italian singer and composer, from 2003 is one of the new national sound world of soul and jazz, winking to pop royalty, that played with power and accuracy. It owes its name to that of its parent, Stefano pedagogic art Balas, also a well-known Sicilian singer in the island especially for the famous "Tu malatia", written by its Catania and become real Sicilian city anthem. The stamp of Biondi Jr. has often been related to that of the great of soul music, such as the famous Barry White. Among his inspirations there are undoubtedly even Isaac Hayes, Al Jarreau and Lou Rawls. Must be his father, the Manager of his early passion for music. Already at the age of twelve, the baby Mario, then still blonde, became known as a Chorister in churches not only of Catania, turning the father and small orchestras as one of the most promising voices of Sicily. Always around those years, not yet a teenager, also gets his first live performance in Giarre, in the square, in front of thousands of people. Meanwhile discovers other protagonists of black music and molds his style in the image and likeness of the great black singers from overseas, learning English and beginning to make it his real art language. Then in 1988, it can be said that it does for the young Mario, then just seventeen, the real breakthrough creative, at least the moment that makes him understand that is music and a certain kind of music his true path. The "Tout Va" Taormina indeed, important local Sicilian scene, wingman to big of the time passing by the island town, playing together with the great Ray Charles, who never fails to compliment him for his talent. He spent some years of apprenticeship, then still in his native Sicily, moving between the theater and some television experience, but always dreaming the music for its future. She specialized in English language. In the years ' 90 decides to leave the island and moving to Reggio Emilia. Here'll quickly interesting contacts, makes himself known by musicians of the city, puts on a first band and renamed Mario Bro, just. The move to the city of Parma, then, is the turning point, in a sense, when you consider that the city soon became his base of operations, chosen by him as an actual place of residence. Meanwhile, does the session musician by profession, and recorded in a recording studio to anyone who requests it, ranging from jazz to soul but sometimes returning to her native who never abandons completely artistically speaking. Determinant, in early 2000, is the encounter that Mario Biondi does with Chicco Capiozzo, son of Julius, legendary drummer of the Area by Demetrio Stratos. With him then, there's also Michael Mecco "Guidi, musician and popular in many jobs in the wake of Jimmy Owens and Enrico Rava. Is the 2003 when Mario Biondi affect along with two associates the precious album "Whisky a Go Go", for her joy of fond of black music and scenes from the United States, opened a highly successful us tour, which lasts 25 days. It's an interesting time, which sees Mario make themselves known in the musical environment more important than ever, at least as far as the sound from him. The famous tv series "Sex and the City", decided to include in its soundtrack also several tracks from that disc recorded by Biondi, Capiozzo and drive. The Sicilian singer though, doesn't stop to visit the States. At the same time in fact, collaborates with leading Dj in different productions from jazz, ranging from various genres in vogue in the mid-2000 and this also bears fruit. A year after the u.s. tour in 2004, the project "Was-a-Bee" with the first version of "This is what you are". The product is designed entirely for the Japan market, at least initially, and according to the intentions of his collaborator, Alessandro Magnanini. However, the work of Mario Biondi ends up in the hands of Norman Jay, British dj Radio BBC1, very important at European level and that, without thinking twice, puts it in his personal playlist, then hack it in the compilation "Good Times 5". In addition to the tune of Mario Biondi, there are those of Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye and James Brown, but the song of the Sicilian musician is now the most beloved, much to finish topped the charts by listening for the important network English. The European radio send his music all the time and the voice of Mario Biondi goes round the old continent, to earn the recognition of the British Consulate at the awards ceremony of the Association UK-Italy Business. Then in 2006, the time is ripe for his first real album, signed with his name and surname (of art, of course). The best jazz ensemble singer enlists the help of Italy, surely the most known and close knit, as well as various sounds and live products. With the High Five Quintet of Fabrizio Bosso and Daniele Scannapieco, the two exceptional wind quintet, Mario Biondi records album "Handful of Soul". Is success, for him, and finally in Italy: after only three months, comes the first of two Platinum who won, with merit, thanks to his vocals and wonderful product. La casa "Live Tour" so the tailor sews a long tour around Italy. The singer sounds more evocative, the Roman Theatre of Verona at the Teatro Antico of Taormina, across the peninsula in short, as well as in the best club ever and the most important Italian and International Jazz festivals. Begin collaborations thick: one year later, in 2007, is located in Sanremo, as a guest, where a Duet with Amalia Grè. In the same year, then a few months later, he won the prize "The Voice", the Venice Music Awards Award "Mia Martini" and finally the "Music & Records", which goes to the best selling album of the year. Is always on 2007 when the "Roma Film Fest", premiered internationally, was presented the documentary about the life of Sophia Loren, a song especially for the event and for the film work by the Sicilian singer. His album Meanwhile, hovers, like sales, beyond the 160,000 copies: two gold and two Platinum ones. The closure of the long and spectacular tour that he is the protagonist, also marks the beginning of an album, which was released in November of 2007, 30 for accuracy and that it is desirable, is nothing other than the live recording of the final concert in Milan, at the Teatro Smeraldo ". The double album in question is titled "Mario Biondi and Duke Orchestra, I Love you More-Live". With him, there are 25 elements, conducted by Maestro Peppe Vessicchio, and, of course, his "High Five Quintet". The following year, the Walt Disney production wants its voice in two songs from the animated film "the Aristocats". Still playing in the best theaters in Italy and multiply his television appearances and not only, as in the programme of Gialappa's band Mai dire Tuesday ". The 2009 then, turns to him, another important year. Sings on the last disc of Claudio Baglioni, entitled "Q.P.G.A.", playing the song "Jukebox". Same thing for Renato Zero, singing with him on the song "I'd Not more", "present". In addition, in February of 2009, once again as a guest on stage at the Teatro Ariston in Sanremo, where this time a Duet with young Karima Ammar, on the track "Come in ogni ora". On May 9 instead, participates in the sixth episode of the BBC one talent show "Ti lascio una canzone". In November, he released new album "If", preceded by the single "Be Lonely". On 6 February of 2010 back to be seen on tv, this time passing in the first edition of the talent show by Channel 5, "Io canto". Spend a few months and Mario Biondi performs at "Wind Music Awards," where he sings another famous traditional song black: "No More Trouble". With him, in this new version, there are other international band funky Incognito, historical, famous in the years ' 70 and ' 80. In December 2010, Disney wants him to "Rapunzel-the plot of the tower". The transition to cinema, as a soundtrack, acts as a showcase for his fourth album, titled "Yes You". In 2011 duets with singer Rihanna on the song "the air I breathe", participating in his disk even with another song.

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