Singer and songwriter Mario Biondi is one of the most unique voices to emerge from the Italian music scene in the 21st century. The Sicilian-born baritone possesses a voice which is often compared to Barry White and Isaac Hayes. Biondi uses this as his base to approach international genres, such as jazz and soul, plying his own distinctive sound.  

Able to move effortlessly between English and Italian languages, the artist creates original music that is recognizably global, filtered through an Italian lens. Adventurous American audiences may have already caught unexpected glimpses of Biondi’s music.  His cover of The Temptations classic “My Girl” was featured by Italian beer brand Peroni in an advertising campaign widely seen in the United States in recent years.  

That said, it was Biondi’s 2006 debut single "This Is What You Are", a song that first had success in Japan, then was subsequently discovered and championed by tastemaking BBC Radio DJ Norman Jay, that launched Biondi from the airwaves of the British capital throughout the European continent.

Those more connected to Italy will have followed Biondi’s multiple appearances at the country’s Sanremo Festival and recognized his voice in the Italian adaptations of major Disney films such as "Gli Aristogatti" (The Aristocrats) and "Rio".  The latter dovetailed nicely into the artist’s ongoing passion for Brazilian music which Biondi takes on for his most recent studio album 2018’s “Brasil”.  Additionally Biondi has appeared on the Italian prime time program “Mai Dire” (Never Say) as well as a guest artist on recording projects for Renato Zero and a tribute album to Alex Baroni.

Mario Biondi’s recorded and live collaborators include Americans Chaka Kahn, Al Jarreau, Leon Wareand Burt Bacharach; Brits such as Incognito leader Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick, Omar and James Taylor; and Braziian’s Ivan Lins and Ana Carolina, among many others.  The platinum-selling artist’s discography consists of 8 studio albums, including a collection of Christmas songs and a live album, in addition to numerous singles and remixes.

Mario Biondi’s Washington DC concert appearance is his first as a headliner in the United States.  It is part of “Unexpected Italy: A Celebration of Italian Culture”, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’s center-wide celebration of Italian culture.  An Autumn North American tour for Mario Biondi will be announced shortly.

From a teenager in Catania opening for Ray Charles to selling out London’s Royal Albert Hall, Mario Biondi has risen to the top of the travel playlists of the cognoscenti of global grooves.  His DC debut concert is a must see for lovers of music and Italy.

LISTING INFO
Unexpected Italy: Mario Biondi
Tuesday, May 21, 2019 | Washington, DC
Terrace Theater
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
2700 F St NW, Washington, DC 20566
Time: 7:30pm
Tickets $25
http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/event/HTITF