Gennaro Porcelli
Gennaro Porcelli is an authentic Neapolitan. Born in 1981, he has gone a long way to get where he is today: current guitarist for Edoardo Bennato and leader of the “Gennaro Porcelli & Highway 61” trio (Roberto Perrone on drums and Diego Imparato on bass guitar). Both critics and audience consider him as one of the most promising talents of blues “made in Italy”. As a matter of fact, he can boast a considerable resume: Alex Britti (2006/2007 tour), Louisiana Red, Bobby Dixon (son of the more famous Willie Dixon), Nathaniel Peterson, Kenny Neal, Abi Wallestein, Carvin Jones, Ronnie Jones, Ernesto Vitolo,Tony Esposito, Roberto Ciotti, Antonio Onorato, Rudy Rotta, Beppe Grillo, Lino Cannavacciuolo, Pier Pelù, Blue Stuff, , Maurizio Capone, Enzo Avitabile, Eugenio Bennato, Tullio De Piscopo, Morgan, Pino Scotto, “Tre Allegri Ragazzi Morti”, and Caudio Baglioni, just to name a few celebrities he has played with; Hot Tuna, Eric Sardinas, Corey Harris, lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials, Louisiana Mojo Queen, Tolo Marton, Uli John Roth, Billy Branch, Robben Ford, Renzo Arbore and many others are the renowned musicians he has shared the stage with. Moreover, he has recently performed live with Texan guitarist Buddy Whittington, the historical member of John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.
His concerts have been defined as being powerful, meaning that they appear to run along that same Highway 61 where a number of Blues and Southern Rock styles originated. They offer a repertoire that goes from Chicago style to New Orleans style, from Austin style to Memphis style.
In 2009, he published his first CD called “Revisiting”, in which standard Blues was arranged with his own personal style. Friends, like the famous Italian musicians Edoardo Bennato, Alex Britti and Roberto Ciotti reviewed the CD.
In March 2010, Gennaro arrived to the U.S. for the first time. He was so successful that he attracted the attention of radios and newspapers, there, in the land where Blues was born.
On that occasion, he was on stage at New York’s oldest and most prestigious live music club, the “Bitter End”. There, he also played at “B. B. King’s” together with Jon Paris (Johnny Winter’s legendary bass guitarist) and Steve Holley (drummer for Paul MacCartney’s Wings). All together, Gennaro has already been on a U.S. tour three times: during his last tour, he performed at the “Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center” (Stage on Herr) with Mark Epstein (bass guitarist for Johnny Winter and Joe Bonamassa) and Michael Noll (Jason Ricci’s drummer), and now he is getting ready to start his fourth overseas tour, but this time with a noteworthy new entry: Vito Liuzzi (Johnny Winter’s current drummer) who is going to take part in the rhythmic session, along with Mark Epstein, a real guarantee.
At the end of 2010, Gennaro became endorser for “Marvit”, an Italian lute-making company and in October 2011, his guitar, a Marvit Mahat GP “Gennaro Porcelli Signature” was exhibited on the “Wall of Music” at “BarAbba” in Gallarate, alongside memorabilia belonging to world famous guitarists like Eric Clapton, Steve Hackett, Joe Satriani and many more.
2012 seems to be a promising year for the Neapolitan guitarist: last February 26th he met Johnny Winter in person, his main source of inspiration; besides being on tour across Italy, Gennaro is working on the production of his second CD.
(Edited by Chiara Ricci, translated by Alessandra Miller)