Antonio Forcione music

ANTONIO FORCIONE
www.antonioforcione.com
Guitarist – Composer – Arranger - Producer

Hailed as the 'Jimi Hendrix of the acoustic guitar', multi-award-winning Forcione is considered one of the most charismatic and inventive performers to come out of Europe in recent years. He breaks the mould of most conventional, popular guitar sounds – be it in the field of jazz, Spanish, African, Brazilian or improvised music. International tours have brought high critical acclaim from as far as Australia and Hong Kong to Russia, the Caribbean, USA and all over Europe.

‘One of the great acoustic guitarists’ – The Guardian

His 16 albums have variously hit the top of UK & international jazz charts, and he has shared the stage worldwide with some of the world’s most accomplished musicians (see below), double-billing with artists such as John McLaughlin, John Scofield, Van Morrison, Bireli Lagrene, Steps Ahead, Leo Kottke, Pino Daniele, Tania Maria and more ...

‘Passion, grace and fire.’ – The Times

He has performed in festivals and theatres from as far as Australia and Indonesia to the USA, Canada, Caribbean, Turkey, Lebanon and all over Europe, especially in France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the UK. His festival appearances include Womad, Glastonbury, Edinburgh, Melbourne, Koln, Verona, Granada, Hong Kong Arts Festival, Singapore Arts Festival and the Machoire d’Or in Montreux amongst others, as well as most major International Guitar festivals.

‘Genius’ – The Observer

Born in Italy in a small village along the Adriatic coast, Antonio first drew public attention age 13 when he toured with his own band throughout Italy as a guitarist, mandolinist and drummer. He was awarded a diploma in art and sculpture from the Art Institute in Ancona, and studied music (as well as mime) in Rome, before moving to London in 1983 in search of greater inspiration. 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 the pop group Barclay James Harvest on a major European tour, for a total of over 300,000 people, culminating in a concert at Wembley Arena. He has never looked back.

‘One of Europe’s best kept secrets – unmissable!’ – *****The Scotsman

Antonio’s constantly innovative approach to life have also led him to explore the realm of music-comedy performance, resulting in invitations to perform at comedy festivals throughout the world. He has performed with other comedians such as Boothby Graffoe, Paul Morocco, Django Edwards, Stephen Frost, Tanderika, Ursus & Nadeschkin, and many others... Acted as musical director & performer for the award-winning trio Olé! Formed the guitar duo Acoustic Mania & recorded two albums with Jazz guitarist Neil Stacey, as well as appearing in a variety of music-comedy shows, & as a Solo music-comedy artist. In 2001 he won the ‘Best Spirit of the Fringe Award’ at the Edinburgh Festival with a resulting tour of Australia, doing both straight music and music-comedy.

‘A major international guitar virtuoso …remarkable personal magnetism.’ – JazzFM

Antonio currently tours with the Antonio Forcione Quartet (AFQ), as well as various Duos and Solo. His inimitable take on jazz, soul and world music delights audiences around the globe, frequently inspiring standing ovations.

The Quartet has a truly international line-up: from Brazil, the charismatic master-percussionist Adriano Adewale; from Nigeria/Grenada/UK, the ever-popular cellist Jenny Adejayan; and from Australia, on double bass and flutes, the multi-talented Nathan Thomson. AFQ are featured on three albums: Touch Wood, Tears of Joy, and AFQ Live in Concert (CD & DVD).

‘Bedazzling musicians ... Highly recommended.’ **** – The List

Recent recording collaboration ‘Heartplay’, with double bass legend Charlie Haden, received great critical acclaim in USA.

Forthcoming projects include Antonio Forcione: Music & Drawings, a score book of Antonio’s most popular guitar tracks, with accompanying CD and illustrated with Antonio’s own artwork.

Artistic, intense, and formidably inventive, Antonio is a performer of genuine distinction. Ever unpredictable, his is a celebration of the unexpected elements in life, a music of rare delicacy, humour and, not least, passion.

*****


FESTIVALS include:
Womad, Glastonbury, Edinburgh, Melbourne, Koln, Verona, Granada, Cordova, Hong Kong Arts Festival, Bath International Guitar Festival, Singapore Arts Festival, Jazz Festival in Barbados, Adelaide, Zimbabwe Finland, and the Machoire d'Or in Montreux amongst others, as well as most major international music festivals.


ANTONIO HAS PERFORMED WITH:
Trilok Gurtu / Bireli Lagrene / Andy Sheppard / Jason Rebello / Seckou Keita / Ronu Majumdar / Martin Taylor / Barney Kessel / Dominic Miller / Chano Dominguez / Harvie Swartz / Juan Martin / Claudio Roditi / John Etheridge / Rossana Casale / Gary Howard (Flying Pickets) …
… and many others


OPENED FOR:
Van Morrison / Phil Collins / John Scofield / Bobby McFerrin / Zucchero / Jools Holland / Pino Daniele