Mario Biondi (born Mario Ranno, on 28 January 1971) is an Italian singer. His pseudonym takes up that of his father Giuseppe Ranno, singer, aka Stefano Biondi.
Early life
Born in Catania, Italy, Mario Biondi is the son of a popular song singer, and sang in various small choirs during his youth. He is of Sicilian descent. He was passionate about soul and trained by listening to the records of Lou Rawls, Al Jarreau and Isaac Hayes and others, while important for his artistic growth, he declared, was the friendship with fellow citizen Gianni Bella. By 1988, he was a big supporter of Ray Charles.
Years after he accompanied Franco Califano, Peppino Di Capri, Fred Bongusto, Rosario Fiorello and others on their Concert tours.
Career
After a long series of collaborations with Italian and international artists, as well a small production of disco music, he achieved success in 2006 with the Schema Records album Handful of Soul. His deep and warm voice recalls the great interpreters of soul and rhythm and blues music. In 2007, he released a double disc containing live material, entitled I Love You More LIVE. In 2010 he released a live album Yes You (Live) and followed that in 2011 with a double CD album Due. In 2013, Biondi released a new album SUN and Mario Christmas. On 5 May 2015 Mario has published a brand new record: Beyond, featuring songs such as "Love is a temple".
Discography
2006: Handful of Soul
2007: I Love You More (Live) 2010: If 2010: Yes You (Live) 2011: Due 2013: Sun 2013: Mario Christmas 2015: Beyond 2016: Best of Soul 2018: Brasil 2021: Dare 2022: Romantic
References
External links
Official Site
Schema Records
Mario Biondi's Facebook
Mario Biondi's MySpace
'This Is What You Are': video and lyrics
L'Huffington Post 'Musica: Mario Biondi presenta Sun, "un disco per celebrare la vita" (VIDEO)' dated 29 January 2013 "Sun", e Mario Biondi vola nel mondo sulle ali del soul dated 5 February 2013