Born in Locarno, Switzerland, an eclectic cultural environment with a strong Italian heritage, Fabio Mignola, who grew to learn five languages, was fascinated by the intricate harmonies and rhythms of the various forms of folk and classical music that surrounded him. However, it was the simplistic beauty of the acoustic guitar that quickly became the voice of this passionate musician.
After studying for several years with professor Dante Brenna, he graduated from Conservatory Donizetti in Bergamo in 1991 and followed master classes with virtuosos like Alberto Ponce, Alexandre Rodrigues and Ralph Towner.
An eager student, Mignola was inspired by the spontaneity of jazz and the visual complexities of impressionism. As he also continued to master the classical and folk repertoire, Mignola found himself incorporating his diverse artistic experiences into a soundscape rich in textures. This pursuit of music without boundaries led to three solo recordings and many productive partnerships.
In 1999, Mignola released "Chitarra ticinese", featuring solo guitar arrangements of folk songs. Swiss Ticinonline praised, "Chitarra ticinese is one of those CDs that everybody should hold in his own recordings library...the musical essentialism given by the presence of a solo guitar raises the fourteen melodies to touching small musical jewels." Winning the praise of critics for his "virtuosistic arpeggio", Mignola release "Flor de luna" in 2000, a collection of solo recordings.
A collaboration with famed Swiss songstress Nella Martinetti in 2002 in "Così il tempo va" would further endear Mignola as a beloved international guitarist. However, it was the 2003 contemporary jazz release of "Flyin' Away" that would tantalize American airwaves. Smooth Jazz and More declared, "Mignola gives the listener a style much like Peter White and Acoustic Alchemy. It's very cheerful and at the same time, very relaxing."
As a highly respected freelance musician, Mignola has also worked extensively on radio, television, soundtracks and with such international artists as Marco Zappa, Mauro Bonomi (Switzerland), Roby Nogueira (Portugal), Paolo Cattaneo and the Franco Brambati Group (Italy).
Entranced by Brazilian jazz, Mignola often performs in a light mix of sambas and bossa nova stylings as solo guitarist. Celebrating the rich cultural heritage of his homeland with Neapolitan jazz, Mignola released "Luna rossa" in 2005 with tenor Mauro Bonomi.
In 2006 the soundtrack "Virgo Suite", with Paolo Cattaneo and Mauro Bonomi, saw him work as producer and sound designer.
Fans have been anxiously awaiting for this next musical adventure entitled "Take Me Higher" which presents eleven melodic and refined new compositions by the Swiss musician that also allowed him to be awarded as “Smooth Jazz Artist of the Month†on various radios.
"Mignola's guitar voice is smooth and full of talent." Dr. Ana Isabel Ordonez - JAZZREVIEW.COM - USA
"...you'll be completely swept away with Fabio's mastery of the guitar." ECHO SMOOTH JAZZ (UK)
"His instrument conveys the smallest nuances of the artist’s emotions." Serge Kozlovsky - SERGEKOZLOVSKY.COM
"[the] musician moves himself between jazz, funk, Latin and pop suggestions that are intersected with looseness in linear compositions and that allow Mignola to give a taste of its proven virtuosism." - CORRIERE DEL TICINO (Switzerland)
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