Maurizio Pugno is one of the finest Italian guitar players today and he has been with the Blues for 25 years! He lives in Gubbio, a little city in Umbria with a medieval atmosphere, but where the humid air of Mississippi has arrived at our door modified by mild Mediterranean currents. Maurizio has long been a part of the Italian blues scene contributing his abilities and expertise to the Rico Blues Combo for the past 10 years with history dating back even further in the Wolves Blues Band prior to that.

He is an elegant player who knows in detail several musical styles. His attempt is to make music that is genuine and melodic, and that doesn't forget the roots of Black Music. He is known as a perfect accompanist for vocalists. He has accompanied some of the best blues singers that have toured Europe, such notables as Sugar Ray Norcia, Mz. Dee, Tad Robinson, Mark DuFresne, Lynwood Slim, Crystal White, Mark Hummel, Dave Specter, Mike Turk, Sax Gordon, Kellie Rucker, Alex Schultz, Mitch Woods, Ian Paice and many others. Pugno’s cds “That’s What I Found Out” (2007) and latest “Kill The Coffee” (2010), released on American label co-produced by Jerry Hall.

For these recordings Maurizio collaborated with two of America's premiere blues vocalists, Sugar Ray Norcia and Mark DuFresne (Roomful Of Blues). Not merely relegated to sidemen duties, Maurizio generously allows room for Sugar and Mark to step into the spotlight, contributing all of the albums lyrics and vocals, in addition to supplying their masterful tone and technique on the harmonica. Pugno’s live project, a CD+DVD called “Maurizio Pugno Large Band – Made in Italy – Live at Gubbio Opera House” will be released at the end of 2012. Also, a new release for the Maurizio Pugno organ trio! These Italian top musicians teamed up with vocal powerhouse Mz Dee from San Francisco!! This project is an explosive mixture of soul, blues, and rock.

Source & Interview: Blues GR - Maurizio Pugno: Italian Blues Axe Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.