FABRIZIO POGGI & CHICKEN MAMBO
In 1991 a young man from Voghera, Italy, decided it was time to bring to life a dream that he had carried safely in his heart for most of his life. With that decision, FABRIZIO POGGI & CHICKEN MAMBO was born.
Fabrizio Poggi singer, harmonica player, accordionist and front man extraordinaire began to draw from his musical inspiration: the blues and the amazing folk music of the Southern United States. From the delta blues of Mississippi and the wonderful music of the Creole people of Louisiana, to gospel and spirituals, the musical future of the band was easily decided. Today the dream is not only alive and well but is being loved by audiences in Italy, Europe and America. FABRIZIO POGGI & CHICKEN MAMBO is a six piece band whose performances have been described as “dramatic”, “totally captivating”, “amazing”, “engaging and completely entertaining”. Using acoustic and electric guitars, lap steel guitar, mandolin, piano accordion, electric bass and drums, as well as Fabrizio Poggi’s harmonica, diatonic accordion, and great vocals, the band creates it’s own sound. One that is authentic as well as truly unique.
ON THE ROAD
CHICKEN MAMBO has played at the most prestigious clubs and festivals in Italy, Europe and USA (Mississippi, Texas and Louisiana) performing along side such legendary artists as James Cotton, Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin and Richard Thompson, Charlie Musselwhite, Robben Ford, Otis Taylor, Guy Davis, Eric Bibb, Bob Brozman, Duke Robillard, Nick Moss and the Flip Tops, John Mooney, Ponty Bone, Groundogs, Billy Cobham, Albion Band, John Renbourn, Marva Wright, Pat Green, Shay Jones, Bob Gaddy & Willie Bridges, Keith B. Brown, Brotherhood Gospel Singers, Mitch Woods, Mike Blakely, Robert Belfour, David Lee Durham and many others
Fabrizio Poggi has played his harmonica on recordings or on stage with:
Garth Hudson Maud Hudson Eric Bibb Zachary Richard Guy Davis Otis Taylor Ponty BoneBob Brozman Mitch Woods Eric Andersen Richard Thompson Merel Bregante Jerry Jeff Walker Tom Russell Jimmy La Fave John Inmon of Omar & The Howlers The original Blues Brothers band Steve Cropper Eddie Floyd Lou Marini Alan Rubin Rob Paparozzi Bill “Howl ‘n’ Madd” Perry Johnny Drummer James Wheeler Bobby Boyd Tony McPhee of The Groundogs Monte Mongomery Jono Manson Mike Blakely Willie Jaye Laws Bill Abel Lightnin’ Malcom Robert Belfour Brad Webb Bob “Mississippi Spoonman” Rowell James “Super Chikan” Johnson Brendan Power Steve Baker and many others… DISCOGRAPHY
FABRIZIO POGGI & CHICKEN MAMBO has recorded five cd’s: ”Mississippi Moon” “Under The Southern Sky” “Heroes & Friends” “Nuther World” (recorded in USA) “Song for Angelina: ten years on the road” (partially recorded in USA) “Armonisiana” (partially recorded in USA) “The breath of soul” “Mercy” (partially recorded in USA)
Fabrizio Poggi & Chicken Mambo is also one of the featured artists on the Sony Music Tribute to Bruce Springsteen “For You”. Guest artists on their releases include: Garth Hudson of The Band, Maud Hudson, Rib Paparozzi (the Original Blues Brothers Band), texas bluesman Seth Walker, cajun/zydeco accordion great ZACHARY RICHARD, famous New Orleans guitarist BILLY GREGORY, and Texas singer songwriters: JERRY JEFF WALKER, JIMMY LA FAVE and accordionist PONTY BONE .
Fabrizio Poggi wrote also two great books about blues and folk harmonica history.
FABRIZIO POGGI & CHICKEN MAMBO has enjoyed tremendous critical acclaim:
Blues Wax: “…What struck me immediately about the disc was the sincerity in the renditions of a number of covers that make up most of the recording. Poggi is an extremely talented harp player, not only for his musical ability, but for knowing how to hold back. More often than not the tunes are a comfortable blend of guitar, vocals, and harmonica where Poggi's unassuming approach really shines…”
“Sunshine” Sonny Payne” host of the legendary King Biscuit Time KFFA Radio, Helena Arkansas Here in the deep south of America, it's often been said a white man cannot sing or play the black man's blues. After hearing the new cd "The breath of soul" with Fabrizio Poggi and Francesco Garolfi, someone, somewhere got their stories mixed up. I have played the blues for 56 years, and the "The breath of soul" cd is the finest I've ever heard by a white group. My point is, you don't have to come to America to hear the blues, because you have it right there in Italy. These guys are for real.
Blues Revue says: “Poggi is a terrific harp player and a good singer whose own songs match up well with the covers, and the band is tight and tasteful...”.
Easy Reeding (Official Hohner Magazine) says: “ … a great CD that certainly crosses geographical and cultural boundaries...”.
Real blues says: “Fabrizio Poggi is a good harmonicist and a great vocalist as demonstrated on this album...And as for Chicken Mambo it is safe to say that it is one of the tightest little bands I’ve heard in a long time, very much in synch with vocals, rhythm, displaying all the class that a great backup band should...
Harmonica World says: “A great band of traditional and original sounds...The sound of musicians having fun playing the music they love...”
Blue Suede News says: “Good stuff...”
Blues Access says: “Poggi’s eclectic tastes grow on you with each listen...”
Soul bag (French musical magazine) says: “A joyful and interesting record...Fabrizio Poggi is a good harmonica player and singer...”
Stand by me (English “stand by me” club newsletter) says: “...In this record we can find with pleasure a personal, extended and well arranged version of our beloved song... Fabrizio Poggi is a fine harmonica player and a really good singer...”.
Bruce Iglauer of Alligator Records says: “These guys are really good! The musicianship is strong and the playing and arrangements are very tasteful... my very sincere compliments to the band for the fine CD and their originality of vision...and believe me when I say I am not usually generous with compliments like this...”
David Goodman- Modern Twang says: “Great sound, great music, great supporting cast, and fine harmonica and accordion: what more could anyone ask for?”.
Jan Janssen - Real Roots Cafè- Holland says: “...an album absolutely extraordinary, in brief, music with feeling...”.
“Roots Town Music Magazine - Belgium” says: “...A perfect soundtrack for a road movie...”.
”Folk Roots” - England” says: “...Fabrizio and his Chicken Mambo men certainly have spirit for american music, call it grade A Chicken Mambo ..”. Local Flavor, Austin Texas says: “This is a beautiful cd”.
Marc Bristol of “Blue Suede News Magazine” says: “...songs performed nicely...”
Buscadero (italian musical magazine) says: “... a cd exuberant and sincere...”
Corriere Della Sera (italian national publication) says: “The band provides fun with a strong taste of Tabasco and blues”.
La Repubblica (italian national publication) says: “ The dynamic Fabrizio Poggi gives us his original interpretation of Professor Longhair and Slim Harpo”.
Richard Thompson says: “Great harmonica playing!!!”.
Zachary Richard says: “ Fabrizio Poggi is one of my favourite harmonica player!”.
Fabrizio Poggi & Chicken Mambo:
Fabrizio Poggi: vocals, harmonica, diatonic accordion Maurizio Fassino: acoustic guitar Bobby J. Sacchi: piano accordionRoberto Re: bass Stefano Bertolotti: drums
It has been a long hard road. Almost 30 years of blues played all around the world. Sometimes I smiled, sometimes I cried. I have no regrets. I had the gift to meet wonderful persons along the path. Thank you Lord to gift me the choice to touch people’s heart. Thank you my little, precious harmonica: you really are “the breath of my soul”, you really make my pains alright. Fabrizio Poggi THE BREATH OF SOULa love song for my harmonica
About “Mercy”:
The line separating Spirituals and Blues has always been a thin one. Blues legends, such as Son House, Mississippi John Hurt, Fred McDowell and Skip James, struggled with the question of how to straddle the line between the sacred and the secular.
A few years ago, I read that for someone, “Hell is the experience of being separated from God.” After coming out of my deep depression, my own personal “hell on earth,” I realized that for me singing Spirituals was a way of staying connected to what I call “Heaven.” Just as it was for African slaves in America, music in general, and spiritual music in particular, is my key to survival in this “mean ol’ world.”
The miracle of Afro-American spiritual music is that it’s so full of power and wisdom it touches every heart throughout the world. It doesn’t matter where you were born, what language you speak, or what color your skin is. These songs are amazing gifts – many from wonderful unknown singers – to heal people’s souls. This music calls out for peace, justice and equality. Every time… Everywhere…
So, thanks from the depth of my heart and soul to all our friends, fans and families. Thanks to the wonderful musicians who made my dreams come true. Thank you Angelina – you really got me out of a “deep black hole” – you really saved my life. Thank you, Jesus, for helping her doing that. Thanks one more time to all the wonderful Blues people we met along the road. As my hero Garth Hudson says, “Many thanks and much more.”
May your dreams come true. Fabrizio Poggi
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