Alessio Menconi

Alessio Menconi was born in Genoa (Italy). He approached guitar when he was 10, as self-taught. Considered a prodigy, he started his professional career in 1986, with the best Italian musicians. In 1992, he won the "Best Soloist" award at the “Gran Prix du Jazz" (Aosta, Italy). In 1993 (at 23 years of age), he participated in the "Eddie Lang Festival" contest in Monteroduni (the most important competition for guitarists in Italy), winning the first prize as best Italian jazz guitarist. He has toured Europe, Asia and America and played in over 40 albums with countless musicians. In 1995, Paolo Conte called him to play in several world tours; this association lasted until 2004 and also resulted in four cds. From 1998 to 2003, he played with Billy Cobham's bands in different acoustic and electric contexts. Among his collaborations: Paolo Conte, Billy Cobham, Marcio Montarroyos, Danny Gottlieb, Gary Husband, Enrico Rava, Bob Mover, Daniel Humair, Flavio Boltro, Adrienne West, Dado Moroni, Tullio De Piscopo, Franco Cerri, Albert "Tootie" Heath, Red Holloway, Plas Johnson, Franco Ambrosetti, Rosario Giuliani, Carl Anderson, Paolo Fresu... Playing in several festivals: London “Royal Festival Hall”, Sao Paulo “SESC”, Kolkata “Jazz and Beyond”, Quito "jazz festival", New York “Beacon Theatre“, Nice Jazz Fest., Rio de Janeiro “Centro Justica Federal”, San Francisco Jazz Fest., Den Hag, Los Angeles “Ucla”, Bruxelles” Jazz Fest.”, Umbria Jazz, Paris “JVC”, and many others. In May 2000, he was selected to play with ONJ (Orchestre National du Jazz). In 2003, he was the only Italian guitarist participating in the cd "Voodoo crossing: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix", also featuring Robben Ford, Steve Lukather, Hiram Bullock, Larry Corryell and many others. Lately, he has done a tour in India, Ecuador and Brazil with his trio. He has participated in several TV shows and has been involved in film music. Alessio is leader and co-leader of several different group situations including but not limited to Jazz, Latin Jazz and Jazz Rock utilising both acoustic and electric guitars. He can also be found in a teaching capacity at conservatories of Genoa and Cuneo.
"Guitar player with long experience in jazz and beyond, confident improviser endowed with great technical mastery" - Musica Jazz 2001

"“Alessio Menconi, one of the best guitarists in Italy, involved with the cream of national and international jazz (and not only) over the years, plays regularly with some of the best musicians" - Chitarre 2005

"Alessio Menconi, internationally well-known guitar player whose talent was recognised by great jazz masters who wanted him to play with them" - Il quotidiano di Reggio 2006

"He started by playing jazz, now he teaches, he’s a session man, and can boast many international experiences - Genoese guitar player Alessio Menconi, at only 25 years of age, is more than promising"- Chitarre 1995