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| PORRETTA SOUL FESTIVAL by Andrea Albicini That Porretta Terme should happen to be in the province of Bologna is only an incidental matter, as it could just as well be in the outskirts of Memphis: in the winding hills of the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano one can find himself strolling in Otis Redding Street, or Rufus Thomas Park. Instead, it is not incidental that Porretta Terme won a place at Soulsville, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music in Memphis. For four days, from July 20 to 23, 2006, Porretta Terme will be the cradle of soul music and will host the 19th edition of Porretta Soul Festival, which is a tribute to the memory of Otis Redding. The Festival will take place at Rufus Thomas Park. A premiere of the Festival, on July 1 and 2 will celebrate the cooperation with Stax Museum with a concert of the students of the Stax Music Academy of Memphis playing live (admittance to the event is free).and gospel group SANPA SINGER of the San Patrignano's community From July 20, a dream-team of soul music icons will be performing to celebrate the two cities of soul: Memphis and New Orleans. One Night In New Orleans. Inside New Orleans sound with the Neville Brothers, Irma Thomas and Davell Crawford, who are held as the icons the home of Jazz, Blues, Soul, Funky. The Neville Brothers, together with Louis Armstrong and Fats Domino created the New Orleans sound. Art, Aaron, Cyril and Charles have been around since the 1950s and played with the greatest soul, jazz and rock stars, all the way from Aaron Neville's 1966 hit "Tell It Like It His" to the more recent works with Keith Richards, Jerry Garcia, Carlos Santana. In 1989 "Yellow Moon", produced by Daniel Lenois, gave the highest ranking positions in the charts. They are a 10-man band. Irma Thomas is considered the "Queen of New Orleans". Newspapers around the world reported she had perished when hurricane Katrine stroke. Her hit "Time Is On My Side" made the Rolling Stones enter the American hit parade for their first time. She is a passionate singer, her soul can move the audience. It was Rounder producer Scott Billington who came up with the idea of her recent album "My Heart In Memphis"; Billington was reportedly struck after seeing Irma Thomas on stage with the best Memphis artists at the 1997 edition of the Porretta Festival. Davell Crawford, the young and gifted singer and piano player is moving on in the wake of New Orleans' piano tradition, taking up the legacy of Professor Longhair and James Booker. A star from the age of 11, Davell is the grandson of 1950s r&b legend James "Sugar Boy" Crawford. He blends together jazz, funk, gospel and r&b uniquely. One Night In Memphis. An immersion in the sound of Memphis for two nights. Porretta will be the European window of Beale street, the street of music in Memphis, whose unique night clubs and artists have exported the James Govan, a great comeback for the successor of, the all-time favourite of Porretta's audience. Govan will be supported on stage byDon Chandler's Boogie Blues Band, the Rum Boogie Cafe official band. They have powerful horns, featuring the legendary Wayne Jackson from the Memphis Horns Thanks to the Center For Southern Folklore, Porretta will host The South Soul Rhythm Section, a band of young and gifted musicians who take up the legacy of Booker T. & The MGs., and the Millenium Madness Dancers, dancers and precussionists whose performances are in the wake of the street dance tradition Two years ago Porretta re-discovered Howard Tate who had been out of the spotlight for quite a while. Howard Tate will be back with its great Californian band, may be one of the most prestigious in 20 years of our festival. The legnd, at last. Bobby Purify, the personified tradition of the great vocals of the deep south. He has the charisma of a James Carr or a Percy Sledge. He will perform live again after the success of his latest album, produced by Dan Penn. Italian soul will be represented, too. Distretto 51 & The Capric'Horns, who reached their 25th year of music, will be on stage with The Greensleves Gospel Choir write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |