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| NEWPOLI Southern Italian Folk Ensemble |
FEATURING:
Carmen Marsico, lead vocals, artistic director
Angela Rossi, lead vocals, artistic director
Björn Wennås, guitar, artistic director
Fabio Pirozzolo, vocals, percussion
Roberto Cassan, accordion
Mike Rivard, acoustic bass
Brian O'Neill, percussion
Megumi Sasaki, violin
Geni Skendo, flute |
Newpoli is a group of exceptionally talented singers and musicians, all alumni from Berklee College of Music and New England Conservatory, that performs Southern Italian Folk Music, mainly from the regions of Campania and Puglia, integrating a wide variety of styles such as Tarantella-Pizzica, Tammuriata, Villanella and the Neapolitan Canzone, encompassing music from the Middle Ages to the 19th century.
Because Italian Folk music, with the exception of a small number of Neapolitan songs, has not received its deserved attention and recognition, either in Italy or abroad, Newpoli, guided by their passion for playing and researching these seldom played traditional styles, introduces to the audience, often for the first time, the joy and beauty of this music while recounting the ancient stories and rituals described in the lyrics.
The group has been enthusiastically received everywhere, as the audience is mesmerized by the vitality, energy and spice of their music. The two singers in particular, Carmen and Angela, are captivating not only for their stage presence and immense natural talent, but, above all, for their exuberance, intensity and passion for their music.
Newpoli's music has been heard across the U.S. through radio play (WWUH Hartford U. Radio, WGBH Boston, KZSU Stanford U. Radio, WUMB Boston Umass Radio, etc.) and TV broadcasting (RAI International). The nine-piece ensemble has already received three nominations by the Boston Phoenix Music Poll in the category "Best World Music Act" in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Founded in 2003 by directors Carmen Marsico, Angela Rossi and Björn Wennås, Newpoli has performed throughout the United States and in 2008 made their European debut at Diacetum Festival in Tuscany, Italy.
Other recent performances include Regattabar, Berklee Performance Center and Northeastern University in Boston, Stanford University in CA, Berks Jazz Fest and Alvernia University in PA, DROM and Sarah Lawrence College in NY, Colby-Sawyer College in NH, Rhythm & Roots and Santa Cruz Foundation for the Performing Arts in AZ. Their debut CD “Newpoli” was released in March 2008.
“Newpoli puts fresh spin on Italian folk tunes!”
-Bob Young (Boston Herald 2008)
“...Here's a great way to transport yourself to Southern Italy without worrying about the exchange rate - or a plane ticket.”
- June Wulff (Boston Globe 2008)
“Neapolitan folk roots played with gusto...”
- Stanford University Music Review
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