Antonio Forcione music
Portsmouth Guildhall - Antonio Forcione SOLO - Bookings: 0844 847 2362
Apr 12, 2019
8:00 PM GMT+1
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About this concert
From the first moment Antonio walks on stage to rapturous applause, a humble smile on his face, guitar in hand, you know you are in the presence of a true artist and are in for an evening with a touch of magic. And as the first deep, warm, intense notes float through the auditorium, you can hear a pin drop and feel the sonic spell of his guitar weaving through the room. As one critic put it “Imagine an Italian hybrid of Michael Hedges, John McLaughlin and Django Rheinhardt … ferocious, rampaging, controlled power, meticulous precision and clarity of expression … astonishing musical personality”
Antonio’s impressive 20 albums and extensive international tours in festivals and theatres – both as a solo artist, in duo and with his acoustic quartet – have brought high critical acclaim from as far as Australia and Hong Kong to the Caribbean, Russia and all over Europe. He has the ‘hands of a tarantula and the heart of a lion, as another critic so expressively phrased it!
Antonio’s numerous awards line the shelf above the piano in his west London home, a far cry from his humble beginnings in a small village in southern Italy from where he worked his way through art school, eventually performing on the streets of London to win the Covent Garden Street Entertainer of the Year Award. This led straight to a BBC TV appearance and a European tour. He hasn’t looked back since, nor has he ever forgotten his roots. If you listen closely to his compositions you can feel the nostalgia for the village, the olive groves, the dusty streets and the first loves of a young boy.
Having completed his well-received album ‘Sketches of Africa’ he is now focusing on Cuba where he is collaborating with artists such as Pancho Amat, Alejandro Martinez and Jorge Luis Chicoy for his next album. This also includes his involvement in a music-documentary film that will be recorded sometime in late 2017.
Late 2016 he released “Compared to What” which was an incredible collaboration with Sarah Jane Morris. They have been described as an acoustic Jimi Hendrix and a politicised Janis Joplin. Audiences have been attracted to the strength and artistry of a unique pairing. They have been touring all over Europe and cover a broad spectrum of music from Acoustic Soul to African Blues, from Motown to Township. This formidable pairing is unique and can bring laughter and tears.
Previous albums include collaborations with fellow performers such as Charlie Haden, Trilok Gurtu, Kay Eckhardt, Sabina Sciubba, Claudio Roditi, Rossana Casale..
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.
“A slick and impressive show” – British Theatre Guide
“One of the great acoustic guitarists” – The Guardian
“Passion, Grace and Fire” – The Times
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Antonio Forcione music Biography
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
Read Morewww.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
Jazz Fusion
World Jazz Flamenco
Acoustic Jazz
Guitar Jazz
Guitar Virtuoso
Jazz Instrument
Spanish Guitar
World Music
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