Multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer Antonio Castrignanó was born in 1977 in Galatina in the Province of Lecce in Apulia, southeastern Italy.
Castrignanó’s musical career started in the early 2000s as a member of various ensembles, Canzoniere di Terra d’Otranto and Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino. In 2003, he performed as a solo tambourine player at the popular pizzica music festival Notte della Taranta (Night of the Tarantula).
In 2006 Antonio composed the soundtrack for the movie “Nuovomondo” by Emanuel Crialese.
In 2010, Antonio released his debut solo album, “Mara la fatia”. The album skillfully combined tradition and innovation.
As Antonio Castrignanó’s reputation grew, he performed at influential venues in Italy and abroad. Indeed, he became one of the leading exponents of new Salentinian music.
In 2012, Antonio participated in the development of the soundtrack for the film “Bellas Mariposas” by Salvatore Mereu that won the Schermi di Qualità prize and FEDIC prize at the Venice Film Festival that same year.
Castrignanó has collaborated with acclaimed artists such as Ludovico Einaudi, Stewart Copeland, Ballakè Sissoko, Caparezza and Giuliano Sangiorgi.
In 2014, Castrignanó his second solo album “Fomenta” on Ponderosa Music. This was followed by an EP titled “Aria Caddhipulina” in 2018.
In 2019 Castrignanó collaborated with French choreographer Jaen Christophe Maillot and with the dance company “Les Ballets de Monte Carlo” to create the show Core Meu, performed at Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.
In 2022, Castrignanó released “Babilonia”, another world fusion album that combined traditional Italian sounds with music from other parts of the globe as well as electronic music elements. Guests included Sona Jobarteh, Mercan Dede, Enzo Avitabile, Don Rico and Badara Sec.
In 2023, Antonio Castrignanó won the First Place in the International Songwriting Competition (ISC) World Music category for his song “Core Meu.”
Discography:
Mara la fatia (2010)
Fomenta (Ponderosa Music, 2014)
Aria Caddhipulina (Ponderosa Music, 2018)
Babilonia (Ponderosa Music, 2018)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.