Born in the small town of Rapallo, on the coast of Liguria near Genova, Italy, Paolo Uccelli has had a passion for the guitar since he was very young, undoubtedly influenced by his father, Gianni, and his brother, Fabrizio. Paolo began his studies at age 13 with his father. At 16, he founded his first rock band, and at age 18, he began his classical training with master guitarrist, Paolo di Zoagli. After a year of classical studies, he discovered flamenco guitar and, with his brother and flautist Mauro Pérego, formed the group FANDANGO. As part of his musical exploration, Paolo went to India for a year to learn Sitar and the Bansuri flute.
Upon his return from India, Paolo reunited with Mauro Pérego and began playing jazz & Bossa Nova in London, continuing his journey towards a modern harmony with all forms of world music. After London, Paolo went to Granada, Spain, to immerse himself in the flamenco environment.
Paolo reunited once again with Mauro Pérego in Italy who introduced him to Luana Cereso, a Brazilian Bossa singer, and Federico Foglia, drummer and skilled arranger. Together, the group began the project Novo Horizonte which brought them to Mexico for a tour accompanying the singer-songwriter, Rudy Biancardi.
After touring for 2 years in Mexico with Novo Horizonte, Paolo arrived at Centro PROART in the city of Santiago, Querétaro, where he took classes with master teacher, Josué Tacoronte Otero at the academy of classical & Spanish dance. Through these studies, he was invited to work with La Compañia Ballet Español Proart and traveled extensively throughout the republic with the company. Additionally, he participated in the 1st Contemporary IIberian International Encounter where he studied with reknown flamenco guitarists such as José Antonio Rodriguez and Antonio Rey while working with Iberica de Danza de Manuel Zegovia, Cristobal Reyes, María Juncal, Belén Maya, María Pagés, Joaquín Grilo, and the Spanish Ballet of Cuba. Upon completion of the festival, Paolo was invited to play with la Compañia Flamenca de Lorena Moreno in shows throughout Mexico.
The experience of a stunning sunset viewed over the river, Ayutla, gave Paolo the spontaneous vision to create a CD that captured the essence of such a naturally beautiful place. Thus, "Subiendo El Río" or, "The River Is Rising", recorded with his musical collaborator and paramour, Silvia Basurto, percussionist & flamenco singer. The CD is a winding discovery through the places, smells, flavors, and dreams that he has journeyed from his childhood in Italy through the present.
"For me music, a medium that can transmit all forms of emotions, is truly an endless trip. You can know so many different people and share wiith each of them unique, individual moments. I want to give thanks to all of the people who have given me the opportunity to live these moments and emotions together with them." -- Paolo Uccelli
more about La Boquita.... Isahrai Azaria :: Silvia Basurto :: Mauricio López