Fabrizio Poggi

Fabrizio Poggi is an Italian-born singer and harmonica player. He is mainly inspired by American southern blues and folk songs. His other major project is Chicken Mambo.

BIOGRAPHY

Many years ago a young man from Voghera, Italy, decided it was time to bring to life a dream that he had carried safely in his heart for most of his life. With that decision, his band FABRIZIO POGGI & CHICKEN MAMBO was born.

Fabrizio Poggi singer, Hohner Award harmonica player, traveller, musicologist, writer, journalist and amazing performer began to give birth, with music and words, to his musical inspiration: the blues and the amazing folk music of the Southern United States. From the delta blues of Mississippi to gospel and spirituals, to american folk ballads, his musical future was easily decided. Today that dream is not only still alive and well but is being loved by audiences in Italy, Europe and America. His wife Angelina is not only his companion, best friend, his mom, his sister, his daughter and his personal manager but she is also his “dream catcher”. She helped Fabrizio through the tough times of his life.

FABRIZIO POGGI & CHICKEN MAMBO is a band whose performances have been described as dramatic, totally captivating, amazing, engaging and soulful. Using acoustic and electric guitars, electric bass and drums, as well as Fabrizio Poggi’s harmonica, diatonic accordion, and great vocals, the band creates it’s own sound. One that is authentic as well as truly unique.

FABRIZIO POGGI during his long career has played at the most prestigious clubs and festivals in Italy, Europe and USA (Mississippi, Texas and Louisiana) performing on stage or on his own recordings with legendary artists as: Garth Hudson of THE BAND and Bob Dylan (who appears on Mercy and Spirit & Freedom), The Blind Boys of Alabama (who appear on Spirit & Freedom), Eric Bibb (who appears on Spirit & Freedom) Charlie Musselwhite (who appears on Spirit & Freedom), Guy Davis (who appears on Spirit & Freedom), Flaco Jimenez (who appears on Spirit & Freedom), Billy Joe Shaver (who appears on Spirit & Freedom), Zachary Richard (who appears on Heroes & Friends), Jerry Jeff Walker (who appears on Nuther World), Eamon McLoughlin of The Greencards (who appears on Heroes & Friends), Nora Guthrie (who appears on Spirit & Freedom), Otis Taylor, Ponty Bone of Joe Ely Band (who appears on Mercy and Nuther World), Bob Brozman, Eric Andersen, Richard Thompson, Merel Bregante of Loggins & Messina and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (who appears on Nuther World), Tom Russell, Jimmy LaFave (who appears on Nuther World), John Inmon of Omar & The Howlers (who appears on Nuther World), The Original Blues Brothers Band, Steve Cropper, Eddie Floyd, Lou Marini, Alan Rubin, Rob Paparozzi of Blood, Sweat & Tears (who appears on Mercy), Seth Walker (who appears on Mercy), Bob Margolin of Muddy Waters Band, Bill Howl ‘n’ Madd Perry, Donnie Price (who appears Heroes & Friends, Nuther World, Mercy and Spirit & Freedom), Johnny Drummer, James Wheeler, Sonny Sunshine Payne of King Biscuit Time radio program (who appears on The breath of soul), James Cotton, Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin, Robben Ford, Tony McPhee of The Groundogs, Bill Abel, Lightnin’ Malcom, Robert Belfour, John Mooney, Billy Cobham, John Renbourn, Marva Wright, Shay Jones, Doug MacLeod, Brendan Power, Mitch Woods, Mike Blakely (who appears on Nuther World), David Lee Durham, Kent Duchaine, Sarah Pierce (who appears on Nuther World), Mike Blakely (who appears on Nuther World), Lightnin’ Malcom, Doug MacLeod, John Inmon (who appears on Nuther World), David Bromberg, Kenny Grimes (who appears on Nuther World), Don Raby (who appears on Nuther World), Dave Peabody, Beppe Gambetta, Sarah Lee Guthrie, Nora Guthrie, Johnny Irion, Grayson Capps, B.B. Morse, Lynn Daniel, Floyd Domino, Debbi Walton, Super Chickan, Billy Gibson and many others. Their song I’m on my way from Spirit & Freedom appears on a BLUES REVUE CD Sampler also featuring Mississippi All Stars, Mavis Staples, Bob Margolin, Gina Sicilia, Buddy Whittington; to mention a few of the amazing artists included.

DISCOGRAPHY

FABRIZIO POGGI & CHICKEN MAMBO has recorded eleven cds:

”Mississippi Moon”
“Under The Southern Sky”
“Heroes & Friends”
“Nuther World” (recorded in USA)
“Song for Angelina: ten years on the road” (partially recorded in USA)
“Armonisiana” (partially recorded in USA)
“Still alive”
“The breath of soul”
“Mercy” (partially recorded in USA) BEST ITALIAN ALBUM OF THE YEAR (Buscadero magazine, Italy)
“Spirit & freedom ” (partially recorded in USA)
“Live in Texas” (recorded live in USA)

Fabrizio Poggi & Chicken Mambo is also one of the featured artists on the Sony Music Tribute to Bruce Springsteen “For You”.

FABRIZIO POGGI has written great books about blues and folk harmonica history. His latest works, a cd titled Spirit & Freedom, the books titled Il soffio dell’anima: armoniche e armonicisti blues (The breath of soul: harmonica and blues harmonica players) and Angeli perduti del Mississippi: storie e leggende del blues (Lost angels of Mississippi) (with cover by Robert Crumb) have enjoyed tremendous critical acclaim all around the world.

QUOTES:

Blues Wax:
“…What struck me immediately about the disc was the sincerity in the renditions of a number of covers that make up most of the recording. Poggi is an extremely talented harp player, not only for his musical ability, but for knowing how to hold back. More often than not the tunes are a comfortable blend of guitar, vocals, and harmonica where Poggi's unassuming approach really shines…”

“…With Mercy, Fabrizio Poggi and Chicken Mambo show an impressively deep understanding of Gospel Blues, both in form and content. While they infuse these tunes with a unique sound and sentiment, it's all built on African-American Spirituals and traditional Blues. Most of the tunes feature extra guests and those guests seem to fit right into the band. A couple of numbers feature Garth Hudson and Ponty Bone's accordion fills out a couple as well… Two things strike me here: First, the sincerity of the delivery - it's clear that these guys aren't simply working the American Blues shtick to sell records. The performances are powerful and moving. They stay close to
the heart of the songs, even when they veer away from the form. Second, they seem to have mastered the form enough that they can veer away from it…”.

“Sunshine” Sonny Payne” host of the legendary King Biscuit Time KFFA Radio, Helena Arkansas
“Here in the deep south of America, it's often been said a white man cannot sing or play the black man's blues. After hearing the new cd "The breath of soul" with Fabrizio Poggi, someone, somewhere got their stories mixed up. I have played the blues for 56 years, and the "The breath of soul" cd is the finest I've ever heard by a white group. My point is, you don't have to come to America to hear the blues, because you have it right there in Italy. These guys are for real”.

Blues Revue says: “Poggi is a terrific harp player and a good singer whose own songs match up well with the covers, and the band is tight and tasteful…”.

Easy Reeding (Official Hohner Magazine) says: “ … a great CD that certainly crosses geographical and cultural boundaries…”.

Real blues says: “Fabrizio Poggi is a good harmonicist and a great vocalist as demonstrated on this album…And as for Chicken Mambo it is safe to say that it is one of the tightest little bands I’ve heard in a long time, very much in synch with vocals, rhythm, displaying all the class that a great backup band should…

Harmonica World says: “A great band of traditional and original sounds…The sound of musicians having fun playing the music they love…”

Blue Suede News says: “Good stuff…”

Blues Access says: “Poggi’s eclectic tastes grow on you with each listen…”

Soul bag(French musical magazine) says: “A joyful and interesting record…Fabrizio Poggi is a good harmonica player and singer…”

Stand by me (English “stand by me” club newsletter) says: “…In this record we can find with pleasure a personal, extended and well arranged version of our beloved song… Fabrizio Poggi is a fine harmonica player and a really good singer…”.

Bruce Iglauer of Alligator Records says:
“These guys are really good! The musicianship is strong and the playing and arrangements are very tasteful… my very sincere compliments to the band for the fine CD and their originality of vision…and believe me when I say I am not usually generous with compliments like this…”

David Goodman- Modern Twang says: “Great sound, great music, great supporting cast, and fine harmonica and accordion: what more could anyone ask for?”.

Jan Janssen - Real Roots Cafè- Holland says: “…an album absolutely extraordinary, in brief, music with feeling…”.

“Roots Town Music Magazine - Belgium” says: “…A perfect soundtrack for a road movie…”.

”Folk Roots” - England” says: “…Fabrizio and his Chicken Mambo men certainly have spirit for american music, call it grade A Chicken Mambo ..”.

Local Flavor, Austin Texas says: “This is a beautiful cd”.

Marc Bristol of “Blue Suede News Magazine” says: “…songs performed nicely…”

Buscadero (italian musical magazine) says: “… a cd exuberant and sincere…”

Corriere Della Sera (italian national publication) says: “The band provides fun with a strong taste of Tabasco and blues”.

La Repubblica (italian national publication) says: “ The dynamic Fabrizio Poggi gives us his original interpretation of Professor Longhair and Slim Harpo”.

Art Tipaldi (Blues Revue)
It is a very beautiful record of deep spirit.

Rob Paparozzi says: “Spirit & Freedom is amazing, I mean it, you have a MASTERPIECE here, I am listening to it now and it has been in the CD player all week and I will NOT take it out!”

Charlie Musselwhite says: “What a beautiful work of art Spirit & Freedom is. I love the way sacred music and blues go together so nicely. This is a lovely album. Thank you for putting these sounds into this world”.

Sari & Eric Bibb say: “We wanted to let you know that we've received your wonderful cd Spirit & Freedom and are very happy to be a part of it!”

Flaco Jimenez: says: “Spirit & Freedom is an awesome cd!”

Richard Thompson says: “Great harmonica playing!!!”.

Zachary Richard says: “ Fabrizio Poggi is one of my favourite harmonica player!”.

Garth and Maud Hudson
A fantastic album … Lovely. Great arrangements.
It was an honour to participate and to share in a song with you.
It is always a thrill to work with you.

Guy Davis
A great cd!

Tish Hinojosa
Spirit & Freedom is a wonderful cd and the songs you chose and all the stories you tell in the cd book are so touching and thoughtful. Bravo!

Billy Joe Shaver
Very well done!

Mickey Raphael
Sounds great!

Donnie Price
I am speechless…!!!! This record has surpassed all expectations… Bravo, bravo from the bottom of my heart!!!!