Maurizio Bestetti ,Italian Blues Legend, originally from Milan, began playing the Blues in 1964.
In 1970 he became a member of the Cooper Terry Group with whom he played for five years. he then dedicated himself to other experinces, returning to the Blues after a three year break, by joining the “Tre Castelli (three castles) Blues Bandâ€, working alongside Gigi Cifarelli and Michele Bozza.
For a year, the group were the resident band at the “Capolinea Club†the Jazz Temple of Milan, after which Maurizio reunited for a brief period with his old friend Cooper Terry, playing with the “Blue Phantom Bandâ€.
Following periods of alternation and different band formations, Maurizio had the opportunity to collaborate and work with Louisiana Red, Tony Scott, Louis Hayes, and Aida Cooper.
In 1994 he met bassist Gigi Bonomelli and percussionist Riccardo Orsi with whom he formed the semi -accoustic Blues trio, “Blues Power†changing a good part of his seasoned experiences in the Milan Blues scene for a quieter and more traditional style of playing.
The trio have the traditional characteristics of the “Downhome Blues†style, making their own interpretations of classic tracks from Delta and Chicago Blues, leaving aside the rowdiness of Rock Blues or Rythmn ‘n’ Blues.
Here we find a return to the old fashioned and more radical playing styles which come directly from the old Country Blues artists such as Blind Willie Johnson, Robert Johnson and Tampa Red, to name but a few.
Slide Guitar and Voice at a set volume (not too loud…softly softly) help to build an electric atmosphere on stage as these professional performers gradually unfold and tell the Story of the Blues.
This positive attitude to their music has been well confirmed by the review of their CD published in 1998 by SAAR RECORDS.
With these good reccomendations, Blues Power then participated in many music Festivals, e.g.
Nave Blues , Rovigo Deltablues , Bellinzona Piazza Blues (Swiss), Sestri Levante Blues Festival, Bordighera Jazz & Blues,Salento Estate,Bologna Blues & Gospel, Novigrad Blues Fest (Croatia), Trasimeno Blues Festival,Blues House Milan, Verona Estate, Fiemme Skj Jazz, Locarno Euro Blues (Swiss), Reggio Calabria “Jazz,Blues & Gospelâ€, National Preview of the Vim Venders Movie “The Soul of a Man†(Trieste) Valle Maggia Magic Blues (Swiss) Lario Jazz Festival,Rapperswil jazz'n'blues (Swiss)
All of which helped to confirm their validity as a seasoned & professional Blues Band, delightfully different in these times of mundane “Copy Bandsâ€.
In 2001, Gigi Bonomelli left the band and his place was taken by Roberto Zecchinelli, a very capable Jazz Bassist who was immediately able to expertly insert himself into the delicate rythmic structure of the band, no mean task considering the perfectionism of “Best†and Orsi who would make heavy demands on the finest of players. fortunately, Zecchinelli is one of the finest.
with this line-up, they went on to work with Louisiana Red, Chicago Bob Nelson,Lincoln Beau Beauchamps and Blue Lou Marini of the Blues Brothers Band.
In 2003, Maurizio was nominated for the “Italian Blues†Award, and was officially placed, by the Website “Blues & Blues†as being number Two amongst the Top Five Accoustic Guitarists in Italy.
During their concerts, an important aspect is presented in their performances of songs by great artists like, Muddy Waters and Willy Dixon. the songs are rendered with surprising naturalness and originality, demonstrating a deep understanding within the band, of the subtleties of the songs, and the development of their particular repertoire.
Blues Power on stage, demonstrate also, that we are not in the presence of “yet another “â€Unpluggedâ€â€ Fashion Band†jumping on the bandwagon just to be popular, but that we are privileged to be in front of seasoned, professional, mature and dedicated musicians who have chosen precisely, according to their characters, to follow the path that they have created.
