"Extremely
entertaining: if you were wondering what is happening in
central Europe, this shows it to be something extremely interesting!" Norman Darwen - BLUES MATTERS! (UK)
"Mike Sponza
takes the hard risk of recording one of the best italian
blues album since years. The songs show the rare skill of
writing original arrangements near to genial invention" Luca Lupoli - IL POPOLO DEL BLUES (I)
"What comes
out by listening to the cd is the band’s
groove and first class sound which often are forgotten
even in more important overseas productions: contemporary
blues, rich of different sounds” Riccardo
Cappelli - CHITARRE (I)
“Beside the high number of interesting
musicians, there is a high quality interplay between the
guests. Not only a central european cd: a successful one!” Dietmar
Hoscher - CONCERTO MAGAZINE AUSTRIA, BLUES NEWS GERMANY
“This music is sooo good! a great mix of blues, jazz,
soul and gospel. the different sessions produced a wonderful
mix of all genres, always hold together by the masterful
guitar playing of Mike Sponza. If a radio station would
pick the cover version of the Sting classic "If you
love somebody" to play it on the radio it would be
a hit! This is groove music to heal your soul!" Markus
Fischer - OSNABRUCK RADIO DE
“Mike Sponza is contemporary, talented and convincent" Christophe
Mourot - SOUL BAG (FR)
“Together with his friends from all over Europe,
Sponza – Italy’s no. 1 blues guitarists - has
created a special disc, a treat for every blues lover” Przemek
Dreheim - BLUES.PL (PL)
Mike Sponza is a contemporary blues man from Italy: singer,
guitarist, composer, Mike has been performing in Europe since
1992, after starting his musical life in 1985.
"Keep it simple!" is the musical philosophy behind
Mike Sponza's projects: he models the style of his compositions
and arrangements to gain the best results in the simplest way,
by using all the available textures and energies between the
Blues elements. Always with an eye open to new trends.
Throught
the years, Mike Sponza developes a personal sound, since his
discographic debut in 1997 that shows the interest for the
research of a personal style with common lines in the voice
and guitar. Inspiring artists are Robert Cray, Lucky Peterson,
Joe Louis Walker, John Mayall, Keb 'Mo...
In 2003 Mike Sponza gives a big twist to his solo career, with
the will of growing and developing his style and creativity,
trusting in his musical background and maturity. He releases
his first solo CD "Mike Sponza" in August 2003 with Duke Robillard
as special guest.
Mike forms his new band in 2004, based on the "organ trio"
format: but the sound does not belong to the past! Actually,
again, contemporary blues is the key word of the show; original
tunes are blended with a modern repertoire rooted in soul,
R&B and acoustic sounds. The Band is touring extensively in
the Central Europe area.
Live Projects:
Mike Sponza Trio
Contemporary blues, soul music with a little rock attitude
are the ingredients of this organ trio.
Backed by Michele Bonivento on organ and Moreno Buttinar
on drums, Mike Sponza dedlivers his way to the blues.
The show is based mainly on Mike's original tunes plus
some arrangements of his favourite contemporary artists
(lucky Peterson, Keb 'Mo, Joe Louis Walker...)
Mike Sponza & CEBC
7 artists from 5 different countries perform together
bringing on stage their musical experience that range
from jazz to deep blues. An amazing international esemble
that shows how blues music can be a true common language
of cooperation. Mike Sponza Trio + Bosko Petrovic (HR)
Vibes, Dieter Themel (A) Vocals, Matyas Pribojszki (HU)
Harmonica & Vocals, Primoz Grasic (SLO) Guitar.
Mike Sponza Trio feat. Ian Siegal
The new voice of British Blues! Mike Sponza Starts the
new project in Autumn 2007 with this amazing singer and
guitarist from london. Deep, deep blues...straight and
powerful.
The show is based on Ian's and Mike's original plus some
rendition to the greats.
