A warm, sensual, powerful, and authentic voice. Passionate and inspired, recognized as a true "Blueswoman": straight from the United States, Shanna Waterstown is the first international guest star to open the fifth edition of the Baronissi Blues Festival.
From the USA to Paris, from the UK to Italy: 3 nights of free music in a hypnotic and overwhelming tour around the world, in a crossover between the blues of the purists, from the classicism of Chicago, to the more funk influences, to R,n,B, to the fusion incursions into the jazz universe, to the more electro sounds. The Irno Valley will become the home of the Blues with a dense international program from 23 to 25 July for the Baronissi Blues Festival, organized by the Cultural Association "Tutti Suonati", as part of the summer program "Baronissi Fest", promoted by the municipality of Baronissi, wrapped in the exciting setting of the municipal amphitheater "Pino Daniele".
“I was born and raised in Florida, USA, the South defined and refined me like pure wild cane sugar. One day I met the Blues, when he came into the house and sat down… and he’s been here ever since,” she says.
Rhythm'n'blues, funk, soul: Shanna Waterstown is considered one of the most interesting female blues voices of recent years. Born in the deep south, in Florida, she grew up singing the Gospel in a small Baptist church, at a time when the most popular music on the radio and at home were "Motown Soul", "Country" and "Gospel". She grew up in the "churches" of her city singing mainly gospel, and then moved to New York, little more than a teenager. In this new context she came into contact with jazz and musicals. These new musical expressions combined with some successful tours around the world with artists of the caliber of Buddy Guy brought her ever closer to Paris, a city that in a few years would become her new home. Her latest album, Inside My Blues, met with more than favorable opinion from the public and industry insiders who unanimously consecrated her as the most authoritative voice of the new world scene.
In his career he has had the privilege of opening for great musical icons, including James Brown, Buddy Guy, Maceo Parker, Matt Bianco, Louisiana Red and Mud Morganfield. Tour in the United States in Europe, in France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Austria, Poland, Latvia, with participations in some of the most important international festivals, including the Baden Blues Festival, the Basel Festival, the Ascona Jazz Festival, the Ecaussines Blues Festival and many others.
After spending many years writing, Shanna, released her first album “Inside My Blues” / “A Real Woman” in 2008, written, composed, produced and sung by her with all original songs. Her band is composed of musicians with consolidated experience who boast prestigious collaborations with artists of the international Rock, Blues, Soul, Funky scene: Jay Gogan – guitar, Walter Cerasani– bass, Gianpaolo Feola – drums-
OPEN ACT – The opening of the Shanna Waterstown concert is instead entrusted to “la Grange”, the story begins in November 2006 from an intuition of Fabio Gagliardo adopted, musically speaking, by a great harmonica player from Hamburg named Claus Dierks. Songs ranging from “Footprints” by Wayne Shorter to “Manic Depression” by Jimi Hendrix, passing through classic Chicago blues, touching on Latin jazz, fusion and funky in a show all in one breath with very particular sounds and exceptional dynamics… Fabio “La Grange” Gagliardo guitar and voice, on bass Luca Di Caprio bassist of excellent quality, on drums Fabio Rotondo drummer who has performed on the best Italian stages, on sax Emilio Silva Bedmar saxophonist with notable ability very well known in jazz and blues circles throughout Europe.
BLUES & SOLIDARITY – The blues and solidarity duo is also renewed through the partnership, for the fourth consecutive year, with the Avsi Foundation (www.avsi.org), engaged in cooperation projects to promote the dignity of the person, with particular attention to the education of children. After the “distance support” in favor of hospitals in Syria and children in refugee camps, the 2019 edition once again supports the Open Hospitals in Syria project which to date has guaranteed free medical care to more than 23.900 people and aims to treat around 50.000 by the end of 2020!
EDITORIAL TEAM
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