Mario Biondi: the Italian baritone's first Australian tour
Italian soul and jazz sensation Mario Biondi is on his way to perform in Australia for the first time, and apparently, he couldn't be happier.
'I'm very excited', he says. 'I have friends in Australia who have talked to me about this marvelous place. I'm very excited to come.'
The singer is no stranger to international touring. When I speak to him he is awaking in Ukraine after just a few hours slumber. His effortless baritone is in such demand that his 2018 tour has 50 dates in Europe alone.
Mario Biondi's career boasts numerous chart topping hits and a number of platinum albums, and when listening to his music, it's hard not to see the appeal. The vocal-driven soul detours just enough into the pop genre to keep things fresh and current. His voice recalls the big names of soul, like Barry White and Isaac Hayes, but his timbre and technique are in no way derivative. Mario Biondi is undeniably authentic.
After exploding into the European Soul music scene with the 2006 album Handful of Soul (Schema Records) Mario Biondi has collaborated with big names like James Taylor and Al Jarreau among others. With a Christmas Album and a 'Best of' compilation among his impressive discography, his most recent offering is Brasil, homage to the country whose unique sound has inspired him throughout his career.
The album was recorded in Rio de Janeiro. 'Obviously, I've always loved Brazilian music, and the idea to make an album not only dedicated to Brazil, but recorded there, was a dream come true. 'Mario says. 'The Brazilian sound is more than music, it's a language, its folklore, and it's very difficult to imitate. Their sound is one of a kind. There is a rhythmic approach to the bass and percussion that is immediately recognisable. In Brazil I had the opportunity to collaborate with professional musicians of extremely high quality.'
The chance to record an album with Brazilian musicians has allowed Mario Biondi to present what he calls 'his own vision of Brazil'. The album includes Mario Biondi's soul inspired vocals mingling with Brazilian rhythms in an appealing fusion.
Mario Biondi is excited to bring this particular album to Australia at this point of his career, where he will perform as a 'more mature and fully-realised Mario Biondi', he says.
The organiser of Mario Biondi's Australian tour, Peppe from Trinacria Promotions, knows the singer personally and has seen him live numerous times. 'The show is just amazing' he says. 'It just gets under your skin. Hearing the album is one thing, but Mario Biondi is particularly good live', says Peppe, who is confident that Australian audiences will feel the same way. 'We've chosen the venues carefully; the Palais in Melbourne and the Enmore Theatre in Sydney. They are both beautiful old venues that will really suit the show.'
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The fact that Mario Biondi sings in English (and Brasil also includes tracks recorded in French, Italian and Portuguese) makes him, according to Peppe, a relevant act for international audiences. Mario Biondi himself has also recognised that his notoriety overseas has never been limited to Italian ex-pat communities. 'Since the release of the song 'This is What you Are' (Handful of Soul, 2006) in England, we've noticed that it was more the English than Italians living abroad coming to performances. I love to play to Italians living abroad, but I feel that I am a global performer.'
At the same, Mario Biondi does not forget where he comes from.
'I'm definitely Italian, and more than anything I'm Sicilian.' he says firmly.
Certainly Mario Biondi is a unique performer and the chance to see him down under is rare treat. His 2019 tour includes one performance in Melbourne and another in Sydney. Trinacria Promotions are enthusiastic about the upcoming tour, stating that this tour is 'just the beginning of a long journey'. They are confident that Australian audiences will want more of Mario Biondi in the coming years and Peppe promises that next time Mario Biondi's visit to Australia will extend beyond the capital cities.
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Tickets are on sale from 1st October through Ticketmaster (Melbourne) and Ticketek (Sydney).
Dates for Mario Biondi in Australia
Friday 24th May Palais Theatre, Melbourne
Sunday 26th May Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Meet and Greet with Mario Biondi
Thursday 23rd May Italian Institute of Culture, Melbourne
Saturday 25th May Italian Institute of Culture, Sydney
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