Antonio Forcione
Antonio Forcione (born 1960) is hailed as the Jimi Hendrix of the acoustic guitar. He has won numerous awards, released 16 albums of largely original material and tours internationally in festivals and for charity performances and masterclass workshops.
He was born in a village on the Adriatic shore of Molise in southern Italy.. He first drew public attention at 13 when he toured Italy with his own band as a guitarist, mandolinist and drummer. A few years later he obtained a diploma in art and sculpture from the Art Institute in Ancona where he also studied percussion. For a further two years he studied harmony and mime in Rome, before moving to London in 1983.
Unable to speak English, he initially resorted to busking in the streets of London’s Covent Garden. Within 2 months he had won an award which led to a BBC television appearance before being whisked off to open for Barclay James Harvest on a major European tour, culminating in a concert at Wembley Arena. He never looked back. Since then he has worked in collaboration with many artists, touring the world in duo, trio and quartet formats such as The Antonio Forcione Quartet and in his duo with Brazilian percussionist Adriano Adewale. His latest group is AKA, a trio with Seiku Keita and Adriano Adewale. A prolific composer, most of the pieces performed are his own. He has also performed, double-billed/supported and recorded with artists such as Bobby McFerrin, Phil Collins, Jools Holland, Zucchero, Pino Daniele, Charlie Haden, John McLaughlin, Trilok Gurtu, Steps Ahead, Leo Kotke, Bireli Lagrene, Eduardo Niebla amongst others.
Antonio's constant search for outlets to his creativity led him to collaborate and tour with various comedians such as Boothby Graffoe, Django Edwards, Stephen Frost, Tanderika and Ursus & Nadeschkin. Between 1992 and 1996 he performed with (and was musical director for) the award-winning musical flamencomedy group Olé.
Among the awards he has won is the ‘Best Spirit of the Fringe Award’ at the Edinburgh Festival with a resulting tour of Australia, doing both straight music and music-comedy. Also the Award for Excellence in Adelaide, the Premio Enriquez in Italy for best musician of the year, and the Premio Internazionale di Cultura Re Manfredi for his unique and innovative approach to music.
His compositions are a tapestry of influences from African and the Latin countries, interwoven with classical, flamenco and Indian rhythms. The result is a very unique and personal sound meticulously wrought. His live performances are well known for their dynamic and original deliverance as well as the charisma of the man himself.
Antonio currently lives in London and has a daughter.
[edit] Discography
- 1984 – "Light & Shade"(Sol Records) with Eduardo Niebla
- 1984 – "Eurotour 84" (Sol Records) with Eduardo Niebla
- 1987 – Celebration (Virgin Venture)
- 1992 – Poema (JazzPoint)
- 1993 – Live at Edinburgh Festival (Inspiration)
- 1993 – Acoustic Revenge (Naim)
- 1996 – Dedicato (Naim)
- 1997 – Meet Me in London (Naim) with Sabina Sciubba
- 1997 – Talking Hands (Naim) as "Acoustic Mania" with Neil Stacey
- 1998 – Ghetto Paradise (Naim)
- 2000 – Vento del Sud (Naim) with Benito Madonia
- 2000 – Live! (Naim)
- 2000 – " Live!" (Inspiration) DVD
- 2003 – Touch Wood (Naim)
- 2005 – Tears of Joy (Naim)
- 2005 – Antonio Forcione Quartet in Concert (DVD)
- 2006 – Heartplay (Naim) with Charlie Haden
- 2006 – Antonio Forcione Quartet in Concert (CD/LP)
[edit] External links
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