"I couldn't find my way anymore, those were really hard days…then I decided to turn the pain into music, and it all made sense." - Umberto Pocaro

Images provided by Umberto Pocaro

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR | GUITAR THRILLS MAGAZINE

Manuel Bellone

Manuel Bellone has his roots in the tradition of folk and American country music, fused with a strong spirit of rock ‘n’ roll. “I’m a folk-rock songwriter from Palermo, Sicily. Last year, me and my band played all over Europe, showcasing songs from my last two albums, “Light From The Grave” and “Split Pot“. I write and perform my own songs and I’am influenced by many artists,especially from classic folk, blues rock.

Umberto Porcaro, born in 1979, has been playing guitar for the last 30 years. His passion for Blues music started in his early age, and it has brought him to play along with the greatest, international blues men. After his first experiences with local bands, Umberto visits Chicago for the first time, where he gets to perform with Billy Branch and The Sons of Blues, Fernando Jones, Eomot Rasun, Johnny Dollar.

He publishes his first record You Belong To Me, followed by Burn The Day Away, receiving a great appreciation from national and international press. He later wins the auditions for Obiettivo Blues In, during the Pistoia Blues Festival, earning the chance to perform with amazing artists such BB.King, Buddy Guy, Robben Ford, Roy Rogers, Cannet Heat, The Blues Band and to be included in the compilation of the Pistoia Blues Festival album. Umberto moves to the States, between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Here is where he gets to exhibit in the most famous Blues clubs of America, such as Café Boogaloo in Hermosa Beach (Los Angeles), The Saloon (San Francisco), Mojo Lounge (Freemont), and the Biscuit and Blues also in San Francisco.

While in California, Umberto meets other great Blues artists such as Kim Wilson, Kid Ramos, Junior Watson, Hollywood Blues Flames, Mark Hummel and R.J. Mischo. He becomes very good friend with some of those performers, starting new collaborations that will bring him back to the US. Umberto is now a well-known and appreciated musician, and he starts touring with several American performers such as Jerry Portnoy, Sonny Rhodes, Tony T.C. Coleman, RJ.Mischo, Andy Just, Pat Wilder, Texas Slim, Vivian Vance Kelly, Brian Templeton, Dave Ryley in the most important festivals and clubs of Europe.

He also participates to the biggest Blues festivals all over the world. Later on, he publishes two other records. In 2013, the album Pleasure Is My Business by Feelin’ Good Records in Milan, brings him to tour around Europe. In 2018 and 2019 Umberto tours around Europe with the historical drummer of BB King, Tony Coleman, who appreciates his great professionalism and sensibility recording his guitar on Tony Coleman & Henry Carpaneto Live European Tour 2019 [OrangeHomeRecords 2022].

Umberto recently won the Blues Music Award of 2019 as ambassador of the Blues made in Italy, and just published new project, investing all of his great experience and giving space to a sound that became mature and unique. With this new band led by Giulio Campagnolo (Hammond Organ) and Federico Patarnello on drums, he presents this new project, a mix of Soul-Jazz, Gospel and Blues loaded with a lot of experience and many roads traveled. Take me Home is the new release for Epops Music, with a couple of very special guest like Lurrie Bell, Anson Funderburgh, and Stanley Sargeant (bass player from Keb Mo, Al Jarreau).

He played at Bellinzona Blues Session (CH), Blues’n’Jazz Rallye (LU), Gouvy Blues Festival (B), Pistoia Blues Festival (IT), Magic Blues (CH), Vaches De Blues (FR), Bluza Svetki (LV), Umago (HR), Umbria Jazz (IT), Rootsway Blues Festival (IT), Marco Fiume Blues Passion (IT), CrossRoad Blues Festival (IT), Summertime Blues Festival (IT), Green Hills (IT), Blues in town (IT), Italian Blues River (IT), Torrita (IT), Andora Jazz (IT), Gdynia Blues Festival (PL), Blues and Jazz Festival (DE), Google Camp (IT), Blues Festival (Sk) and more.

INTERVIEW WITH UMBERTO POCARO AND GUITAR THRILLS MAGAZINE

Manuel: Hello Umberto, it’s a pleasure to chat with you.

Umberto: I can say the same thing too buddy.

Manuel: First of all,  what first got you into music and who inspired you to make music?

Umberto: I don't really know but the only thing I can tell you is that music has always made my life since I can remember....

Manuel: What about you’re latest tour, did you have lot of fun out there?

Umberto: The last tour has been long, it started in Europe on february and we did several cool gigs between Germany, Italy, Czech, Republic, Belgium, Switzerland and Holland and then joining with my great friend Brian Templeton between New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, but in a few days it's starting again, I can't help it.

Manuel: Awesome! What about your latest album “Take Me Home”?

Umberto: I wrote this whole album after my father died...I was broken, I had lost a fundamental piece of my life, I felt really lost...I couldn't find my way anymore, those were really hard days...then I decided to turn the pain into music, and it all made sense.

Manuel: The people that you have with you, how did you decide on these groups?

Umberto: The new UPB (Umberto Porcaro Band) is composed of me playing guitar and singing, Giulio Campagnolo great Hammond Organ player and Federico Patarnello on drums. I chose this lineup for the sounds it can give me, Blues Soul and Gospel are the primary elements.

Manuel: What inspires you to pick up and play your guitar these days?

Umberto: I couldn't do anything else, it's my real reason for living. I have spent my whole life with a guitar in my hand.

Manuel: Do you play when you’re not on stage?

Umberto: Always, LoL

Manuel: What are you working on these days?

Umberto: As of a very few days ago, we are the winners of the International Blues Challenge and are going to run for the finals to be held in Memphis in January 2025. But I'm also writing for the new record and planning the upcoming tours-it's hard work but it's what I love to do

Manuel: How many guitars do you bring on the road with you?

Umberto: Usually two, when possible. Lately the airlines are not helping us (musicians). I always carry an old 1967 Gibson es 335 that I like to call red velvet...but I have to say that the easiest guitars to carry around are always the Stratocaster or Telecaster.

Manuel: Do you use different tuners?

Umberto: Actually I play standard, but I also love the Spanish Tuning (open G) and the old vestapol (open D).

Manuel: Do you notice a difference in the quality of the guitars through the years? Are you a fan of vintage instruments, or are the newer ones fine?

Umberto: I'm a vintage fanatic, I confess, and even when I look at new models I look at old ones. I'm an old-school guy

Manuel: What kind of amp are you using these days?

Umberto: My old Fender Super Reverb from 1964, but I love Also the tweed model.

Manuel: Do you prefer to record with a live band?

Umberto: I can tell you both.

Manuel: What are some of your favorite or your most prized recordings that you have?

Umberto: I am very proud of Tony Coleman's live in Europe where I play guitar. He played drums with B.B.King for so many years .And finally my last Take me Home.

Manuel: You opened for  B.B.King back in the days, how was to share the stage with such a blues legend?

Umberto: I was 19 years old when I played before the great king of the blues. It's hard to describe the emotions I felt . I remember a big hug and 'a handshake . He’s been always my hero . it's amazing even now.

Manuel: Have you played with other blues legends?

Umberto: I have toured with many blues musicians such as Jerry Portnoy, Tony Coleman, Sonny Rhodes and many others, but I have had the opportunity to play with many great American musicians such as Kim Wilson (The Fabulous Thunderbirds), Larry Taylor (Canned Heat, Tom Waits), Kid Ramos, Junior Watson etc etc.

Manuel: What’s next for you?

Umberto: A new Tour, a new record and finals in Memphis.

Manuel: Thanks a lot Umberto, it’s been a pleasure to talk with you, can’t wait to share the stage together again.

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