Giorgio’s Biography:
Born in Latina (Italy) on December 24, 1958, Giorgio Raponi has played the drums since the age of 11 and in parallel he started as vocalist too.
At the age of 15 he become his first professional activity as drummer in a small group (Becherucci’s Bros as leaders) which at that time was performing their own "progressive" compositions (influenced by King Crimson and Zappa’s music). He remains with this group for four years.
In the following years he performs jazz and funk with a combo groups all over the “music clubs†in Latina and Rome.
In that period (‘76/’78), he discovers the music of Steely Dan and Weather Report that changes his life as drum player. Despite he has been studying the jazz greats (Kenny Clarke, Max Roach ect.), the listening of drumming by Bernard Purdie, Steve Gadd and Peter Erskine was terrific.
As above mentioned, in parallel at the drum player activity, he continues the performances as singer but in a completely different genre such as American West Coast and R&B Music.
He likes to mention that Joni Mitchell's songs opened his mind.
In the eighties he discovers the voices of Carmen McRae, Chet Baker(Giorgio hears him in an unforgettable concert in Sabaudia, circa 1985), Al Jarreau, Jon Hendricks, Mark Murphy and Bobby Mc Ferrin. These singers will represent his musical footprints to be followed.
Until today, the practice and the continuous performances of this typical music like Jazz and Jazz fusion stress his style as drummer and singer.
He has participated at the RAI 2 TV Show “Te lo faccio vedere chi sono io†dedicated as tribute to the poet Piero Ciampi.
He was the drummer of the group which performed with the artists like Lucio Dalla, Teresa De Sio, Rossana Casale, Nada, Baccini, James Senese, Enzo Gragnianello.
In 1995 the recording of the show by Label “Adius†was realized.
In this period he plays in tour with an Italian artists too.
Last ten years are characterized from by a lot of collaboration with amazing musicians and friends:
As Singer with:
Erasmo Bencivenga (brother in music), Nicola Borrelli and Tommaso Tozzi (Triology Jt);
Mauro Zazzarini and the members of “Tutti Frutti Big Bandâ€;
Claudio Olimpio, Cristiano Viti e Sasà Federici (Tribute to George Benson);
As Drummer with::
Aldo Bassi (Songstress-Acid Jazz Project feat. Pietro Lussu, Susanna Stivali and Gianluca Renzi);
Aldo Bassi (Hakuna Matata Acid Jazz Project) feat.: Giampiero Verdolino (b), Erasmo Bencivenga (p) Marco Onorato (sax) Mauro Miletta (g);
Paolo Recchia; Ron Seguin
Luca Velletri (like a brother in music for him), Maurizio Moricci, Riccardo Cundari, Maurizio Metalli e Cristiana Polegri: (portrait of James Taylor)
Claudio Olimpio, Cristiano Viti e Sasà Federici (Tribute to George Benson);
Roberto Ferrara, Massimiliano Filosi (Suenos Quartet);
Roberto D’Erme, Mauro Pacini and Arcangelo Spina (Italian Jazz);
Arcangelo Spina and Fausto Ciotti (Belo Horizonte Trio)
Marco Picca, Enrico Esposito, Lucio Teson and all the members of the “Premiata Orchestra della Repubblica Partenopeaâ€;
Fabrizio Cavalieri (Blues Trio)
Marco “Giasone†Onorato and all the people of his gospel choir;
Massimo Gentile, Marco Malagola e Fabrizio Sirago;
Alessandro Di Cosimo.
John Angelori.
Big Mario of Crocodile Recordings.
And the friends of all time: Filippo Vinciguerra and Mario Mellacina who have followed him since 1980.
Giorgio is now playing the drums with Tribute to G.B., Italian Jazz and P.O.R.P. Orchestra –
He sings Jazz with Triology JT and Tribute to G.B.Because he’s engaged in studio recording No live concert until the end of February 08.
