UGO

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Ugo, Singer/Songwriter/Musician, an artist overly passionate about music, has been singing since the age of two. At age 15 Ugo began writing and performing in local bars and squares in Marsala, Mediterranean sea-city off the western coast of la Sicilia. He also studied piano, guitar and vocal technique. His soothing, charismatic chords are unequivocally unique and the quality of voice control is unquestionably parallel to the likes of icons such as Claudio Baglioni, Luis Miguel, and not to mention the Sicilian-blooded Frank Sinatra, one of Ugo's most iconic inspirations. Amongst recent Italian male singers, Ugo has by far an unmatched dynamic quality, but without a record label or "familiar" contacts, remains hidden in the shadows of other popular artists.
Although he is an emerging artist, Ugo is the only Italian male singer/songwriter who is completely fluent in English and also speaks German. From childhood Ugo has been infatuated with "Black Music”, and calls singers like Stevie and Whitney masters of R&B. Some of his favorite artists of the newer generation include Beyoncè, Raul Midon, Craig David, John Legend and Alicia Keys. Being the artistic chameleon he is, Ugo exhibits a Bosonova duo with a local Brazlian guitarist on occasion.
As one of the founding members of the Sicilian music and theatrical group (A.R.C.O.) Ugo sang as lead singer since 1993 and in 2005 the group toured in Windsor, Canada - New York, Boston (USA). With A.R.C.O he performed in over 200 concerts internationally singing in some of the world’s most reknowned theaters and squares. He sang for the Pope in 1995 at the Stadium of Palermo (Sicily) and at Giubileo in 2000 a Catholic Celebration held in Rome in which the sacred Gate is opened only every 100 years.
In ‘96 the singer/songwriter found his way to the Academia di Sanremo, dedicated to emerging artists, an edition of the annual Festival di Sanremo, probably largest music festival in Europe. The singer recalls after winning a continuous standing ovation, the presenter whispering into his ear "you have an incredible voice, but you cannot pass to the final selection because we will pass another singer whose parents have paid for her to win." Eagerly returning the following year, with another self-written song, without funds to pay his way to the top, without doubt, did not pass to the finale but presented the same song at another festival (festival della Bussola) ranking fourth place. Ugo remains optimistic and has not fallen reluctant to the unfortunate occurrences that have pervaded the music industry in Italy. Ugo later moved to North to pursue a career at the University of Musicology in Cremona. While in school he also studied Jazz and American vocal techniques with the best instructors in Cremona and Milan. Since graduating in 2003 Ugo continues dedicating a large amount of time teaching piano and vocal technique to local musicians and recently in 2007 concluded his studies with a Master's Degree in Music.
His academic achievements afforded him the opportunity to study in Heidelberg, Germany in 2000. There, Ugo intensively studied German but not forgetting his musical background, met several officials in the music industry, singing as a lead baritone vocalist in the KHG Gospel Choir. For kicks the singer joined a choir in Germany specializing in Baroque which established the basis of being one of the later founding vocalists of the international Costanza Porto Choir in Cremona, Italy. The competitive group suddenly exploded throughout Europe exhibiting Gregorian chant and Antique sacred Italian music claming first place in 2002, 2003, and 2004. Because of his smooth vocal perfection, Ugo often found himself performing as a soloist on a number of records and Operas, like the "Platea" by Giovanni Dettori and at the Ravvena festival.
Finally breaking into the closed circles of the music industry in the North, Ugo began singing in local bars keeping an eye out for production. Although he had found himself singing other genres of music, he had always looked to American singers like Sinatra, Wonder and Bublè for inspiration and considering his vocal flexibility began focusing on American pop, Jazz and Swing. In 2004 Ugo won the The Festival Nel Web with his theme song "quasi innamorato"(almost in love) and would finally have the opportunity to present his demo to a nearby music arranger "promising" a productive collaboration. Two years later after competing in a regional music festival, Ugo claimed first prize at the Controfestival with his own "vorrei che fossi tu" (I wish it were you). For the competion he decided to do something a little different, showcasing the authenticity of his voice, starting the song accapella, and then alternating back and forth spontaneously between his English version "in love with you" and "vorrei che fossi tu" capturing the attention of Italian singer Marco Ferradini
On the path of countless obstacles, Ugo would meet one of Italy's most phenomenal guitarists, Carmelo Tartamella student of Joe Pass. The two began performing a duo in Northern Italy. Carmelo in awe at the level of the singer's voice has maintained a constant rapport and the two continue to play together. They have now formed the "Swingin' Quartet" including drummer and bassist in their repertoire. With the hand of Carmelo, Ugo has performed with Black American Soul and Jazz singers like Kay Foster Jackson and Larry Ray (The Platters) who recently invited Ugo to perform as a guest at the 2007 Festival delle Muse. The event was held at Casina Mancapane, a Castle in the region of Lombardia. In July of ‘07 Ugo performed at the celebration Notte Bianca (White Night) in Casalpusterlengo a celebration lasting from dusk til dawn in the city quaint streets.
So what's left? While on tour in America in 2005, Ugo was discovered by American Producer Luisa Marino who composed a theatrical production for the artist, returning to Boston (USA) in 2006 to perform "Emigratio" based on the life of a Neopolitain immigrant. Marino is now working to bring the show to Italy later in 2007. As for acting, Ugo also played a small role in a popular Italian film "la febbre." Another one of his many assertive projects is that with Roberto Pascucci, a seven-chord bass player, who toured with Italian duet Paola and Chiara.
Although not making it to the final selection of the Academia di Sanremo in '97 Ugo would finally take to Italy's most luxurious stage, Ariston Theater, which has been grazed by legendary artists like Pattie La belle, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Madonna, Baby Face, and Cher. Thanks to Milva and the Bevoice gospel choir (directed by Anna Garaffa) his lifelong dream was brought to fruition singing as a vocalist for La Rossa
Refusing to buy into the mainstream the award-winning artist continues the search for a credible producer. He has been working with local arrangers Crisitan Merli and Davide Corradi at the studios of Città dellaMusica as well as Pietro Grazioli at Blue Records on a regular basis and hopes to release a record to share only a small piece of his spine chilling works. In late September Ugo will be competing on the televised music selection "Kanta Box" which will be featured on the ALL MUSIC Channel? Realizing that the music industry is saturated with talented artist, his dream is not to become a millionaire off selling records, but as a painter aspires to show his paintings, Ugo is eager to do same with his compositions, he says. His daily principle is to "live and cherish only the positive moments that life brings" and those who have a close relationship with the singer are sure to agree that this is reflected in his personality.