Interview – MARIO BIONDI: I grew up in theaters and I feel good there

Mario Biondi_photo by Mattia Poppa (2026)

It took the Italian soul-jazz icon MARIO BIONDI twenty years to create his first album in Italian entitled “Prova d'autore”.

Since the days of “This is What You Are”, the global success that launched him into the world contained in the album “Handful of Soul” (released in 2006), Mario Biondi (born Mario Ranno) has always used English, following the international soul of this music and thus also broadening his career horizons, so much so that he enjoys good visibility even outside the border.

In his new project, “Prova d'autore” Biondi, however, puts himself to the test… as an author and composer, signing the twenty songs on the album. Together with the Englishman he puts aside market tactics to embrace authenticity and creates a record, including one-minute songs and suites that almost last seven.

We met him to tell us about this metamorphosis and to talk about the upcoming tour which will see him involved in various “lerg” from spring to the end of autumn 2026, with dates in Italy and abroad.

Mario, let's start from the structure of this new album. There are twenty tracks, some very short, some very long and some “acted”. It seems like an open challenge to the rules of the current market…

I have never been able to apply tactics, schemes or games. When I write music, I don't stick to rules. In this case you will find songs lasting one minute and fifty and others lasting seven minutes. It's the essential thing: we give the song what it requires, no more, no less. I had a lot of fun, but I also dug deep into my feelings.

After so many years of an international career, why the decision to focus so strongly on Italian right now?

This project in Italian is exceptional, the result of years of work. I wanted to work with extreme attention, dedicating time to details and escaping from the rush that often dominates musical production. I wanted to allow myself the luxury of working for an entire month just on writing in my language.

On a technical level, singing in Italian completely changes your vocality. How did you approach this change?

Each song had a unique journey. Sometimes the melody came first, other times the lyrics. I looked for naturalness: I didn't want to force the sounds to sound “American” at all costs, as was done in the past. I stripped myself of the virtuosity in favor of the message of the text. In certain moments I almost felt the need – as in the opening and closing songs of the album – to “speak”, to “act” rather than to sing, an approach that I am also bringing to the stage, where, taking advantage of my oratory, I often tell stories to the public and which for this occasion I wanted to bring onto the album.

At the time there was a lot of talk about your possible participation in Sanremo. Was there a proposal?

Yes, I presented a project because I thought it was the right context to launch this album. It didn't work out, and there's certainly some disappointment when you invest so much in an idea. Luckily I got on that stage with Sayf and Alex Britti playing at being the Blues Brothers and I have to say it was a lot of fun

What will the starting tour be like? Will there also be songs from the new project?

In the tour setlist there will obviously be all the “ancient” songs, the hits and the evergreens, all those songs that are part of my journey over these twenty years, and also there will be some songs written for this project, therefore in Italian, which I think is right to start sharing even live

This summer we will see you on tour, between theaters and outdoor arenas. What is the difference for you between these two dimensions?

Live music is my life. I grew up in the environment of the Teatro Massimo in Catania, so classical theater is part of my soul and my growth. Live is the moment you build something with the audience; I always prefer a direct, frank, almost “constructive” approach. As for the summer live shows, these will mostly be in ancient arenas or Greek theaters which have an immense charm, comparable to that of the theatre.

Accompanying him on stage for the occasion will also be Maestro Antonio Faraò, one of the most important Italian jazz pianists recognized internationally and highly appreciated for his technical skills. In addition to him, an international band will take to the stage composed of: Massimo Greco (multi-instrumentalist and musical director), Matteo Cutello (trumpet), Giovanni Cutello (saxophone), Ameen Saleem (bass), Devid Florio (percussion, guitar and flute) and David Haynes (drums), who in some shows will give way to Nicolas Viccaro (drums) or Francesca Remigi (drums).

THE TRACKLIST

1. Hello doctor
2. I know
3. This evening
4. Throw rocks
5. Ai ai ai ai ai!
6. Help us
7. Invisible
8. While I live
9. Let's forget about it
10. A heart that doesn't give
11. Cynical
12. The son
13. It's called change
14. Anchoring again
15. Similar
16. Love me
17. Starry sky
18. Another time
19. You make me feel
20. Strong

TOUR DATES

May 3 at the San Domenico Theater in Crema – zero date
5 May from the EuropAuditorium Theater in Bologna
8 and 9 May at the Arcimboldi Theater in Milan
May 11th at the Colosseum Theater in Turin
May 13th at the Teatro Verdi in Florence
May 16th at the Team Theater in Bari
17 and 18 May at the Teatro della Conciliazione in Rome
May 19th at the Augusteo Theater in Naples
May 21st at the Metropolitan Theater in Catania

June 20th at Musicastelle in Saint Pierre (AO)
July 3 at the Mon Reve Music Arena in Taranto
8 July at the Tourist Port of Giulianova (TE)
12 July at the San Giusto Castle in Trieste
25 July in the Archaeological Area of Morgantina in Aidone (EN)
1 August at the Arena Plautina in Sarsina (FC)
4 August at the Roman Amphitheater of Lucera (FG)
8 August at the Beniamino Gigli Arena in Porto Recanati (MC)
11 August at the Dromos Festival in S'Angelu, Neoneli (OR)
18 August at the Scolacium Park in Borgia (CZ)
20 August at the Versiliana in Forte dei Marmi (LU)

November 1st at the Santa Chiara Auditorium in Trento
November 5th at the Varese Theatre
November 7 at the Teatro Regio in Parma
9 November at the Gran Teatro Geox in Padua
11 November at the Verdi Theater in Montecatini Terme (Pistoia)
November 12th at the Lyrick Theater in Assisi
November 13th at the Teatro dell'Aquila in Fermo
November 15th at the Malibran Theater in Venice
November 16th at the Verona Philharmonic Theatre
November 18th at the Teatro Massimo in Pescara
November 21st at the Apollo Theater in Lecce
November 23 at the Cilea Theater in Reggio Calabria
November 24 at the Golden Theater in Palermo
November 28 at the Carlo Felice Theater in Genoa
November 30th at the Teatro Massimo in Cagliari
December 1st at the Municipal Theater of Sassari

May 23 in Budapest – Margaret Island Open-Air Theatre
June 1st in Tirana – Opera House
June 5th in Paris – New Morning
7 June in London – Theater Royal Drury Lane
June 9th in Edinburgh – The Queen's Hall
June 10th in Glasgow – St Luke's
June 26th in Saarbrucken – E Werk
July 14th in St. Moritz – Dracula Club
August 28th in Split – Vibrez Festival Meštrović Gallery