(headline image: Mauro Durante- photo by York Tillyer)
Mauro Durante, a violinist, percussionist, and composer from Salento, Italy, is a prominent figure in modernizing and popularizing pizzica, a traditional form of taranta music. Leading the renowned Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino, a band founded in 1975 by his family—Durante has performed at major world music festivals, earning international acclaim for his work in Italian folk music. His collaborations extend to artists like Ludovico Einaudi, Piers Faccini, and Stewart Copeland, blending traditional sounds with a contemporary edge.
In 2021, Durante partnered with British guitarist Justin Adams to release their debut album, Still Moving, recorded live during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project captured a raw, intimate sound by forgoing overdubs, blending Adams’ rock influences with Arabic and African blues, and Durante’s deep connection to taranta.
Their second album, Sweet Release, further develops this partnership. The album integrates Durante’s taranta roots with a diverse range of influences, from blues rock to Middle Eastern music.
Discography:
Still Moving, with Justin Adams (Ponderosa Music/Rough Trade, 2021)
Sweet Release, with Justin Adams (Ponderosa Records, 2024)
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.