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Joe Bonamassa Forum → Other Artists → Marcus Bonfanti
Never heard of this guy until I saw him at the Cumbria Guitar Show in August. They do seem to pull some good players in. Saw Gwyn Ashton there as well the year before.
Nice album called Hard Times which I bought at the show and Marcus was kind enough to sign.
Worth checking out.
Yes I do like Bonfanti's style. Tom had mentioned he was playing some Scottish dates so I took a look:
25 Oct 2009 The Bedford *FULL BAND*
20 Nov 2009 Charlotte Street Blues *FULL BAND*
26 Nov 2009 The Lemon Tree *FULL BAND*
27 Nov 2009 The Inn at Lathones *FULL BAND*
28 Nov 2009 The Regal Room
Full details of the shows can be found on thewebsite (www.marcusbonfanti.com) and myspace (www.myspace.com/marcusbonfantimusic)
Nice catch Ges , also got cd Hard Times , He has a new one out on Feb 1st. Im going to see him in London Sunday 31st in the afternoon
Ive seen Marcus a couple times in Glasgow/The Bedford. He is a great talent and an awesome guy!!!
He is touring with Sandi Thom in April so Ill catch him there again. Woop!
I'm seeing Marcus in Fife in February. Inded it is the date I mentioned above that got reschduled. I saw him play a solo set in Carlisle last year and not only is he a good performer, but he has an excellent manner which really gets the crowd to warm to him. He's one to see.
Saw Marcus yesterday at The Elgin Ladbroke Grove West London yesterday afternoon for his blues jam session. Great guy had about a 20 minute chat with him. Managed to get 1hr 15 mins of video footage before the charge went . Now to see what quality it was 
He played afew tracks of his new cd out today. Then played a sequence of Muddy Waters tunes and a classic Spoonful by Howling Wolf which was immense. A great FREE afternoons entertainment.
Well
it's official. The new Marcus Bonfanti album 'What Good Am I To You'
is now out on MP3 and CD. If you haven't already got the album you can
get it at iTunes at http://ow.ly/12vA3 & Amazon at http://ow.ly/12vAJ
11 Feb 2010 20:00
Inn at Lathones *FULL BAND* St Andrews
18 Feb 2010 20:00
Blues Night @ Miller’s Snooker Club *FULL BAND* Kirkby in Ashfield, Midlands
19 Feb 2010 19:30
The Lemon Tree *FULL BAND* Aberdeen
21 Feb 2010 15:00
Livingroom Sessions @ The Elgin w/The Wagontails London, London and South East
25 Feb 2010 20:00
Mama Stone’s *FULL BAND* Exeter, Southwest
28 Feb 2010 15:00
Livingroom Sessions @ The Elgin London, London and South East
11 Mar 2010 20:00
The Bedford *FULL BAND* London, London and South East
18 Mar 2010 21:00
The Bedford at SXSW Austin, Texas
25 Mar 2010 20:00
McKenna’s Bar *BONFANTI MILNER* Monaghan, Monaghan
27 Mar 2010 20:00
The Guitar Bar @ Hotel Deux w/Lotte Mullan Nottingham, Midlands
21 Apr 2010 20:00
The Stables w/Sandi Thom Milton Keynes, Midlands
23 Apr 2010 20:00
Rescue Rooms w/Sandi Thom Nottingham, Midlands
24 Apr 2010 19:30
Dorchester Arts Centre *BONFANTI MILNER* Dorchester, South
25 Apr 2010 20:00
The Brook w/Sandi Thom Southampton, South
27 Apr 2010 20:00
The 12 Bar w/Sandi Thom Swindon, Southwest
29 Apr 2010 20:00
The Plug w/Sandi Thom Sheffield, Northeast
30 Apr 2010 20:00
The Academy w/Sandi Thom Manchester, Northwest
1 May 2010 20:00
The Sage w/Sandi Thom Gateshead, Northeast
2 May 2010 20:00
The Duchess w/Sandi Thom York, Northeast
4 May 2010 20:00
Pacific Arts Centre w/Sandi Thom The Wirral, Northwest
6 May 2010 20:00
Cabaret Voltaire w/Sandi Thom Edinburgh, Scotland
7 May 2010 20:00
ABC w/Sandi Thom Glasgow, Scotland
11 May 2010 20:00
The Borderline w/Sandi Thom London, London and South East
21 May 2010 20:00
The Old Town Hall Arts Centre *BONFANTI MILNER* Hertfordshire, London and South East
6 Oct 2010 20:00
Guisborough Rhythm & Blues Club *FULL BAND* Guisborough, Northeast
26 Nov 2010 20:00
Bronte Blues Club *BONFANTI MILNER* Keighley, Northwest
He has also got a slot at this years Glastonbury Festival
I saw Marcus and his band on Thursday evening. Here's a first draft review I did to share with you:
The intimate Inn at Lathones is in a countryside setting east of St Andrews. Ideal for such an environment was Marcus Bonfanti, whose confident and engaging communication with the audience made this concert the perfect relaxed environment for a night of blues. Bonfanti took to the stage himself to perform the footstomp 'God Only Know' featuring only harmonica besides his powerful voice. He was joined by bass player Scott Wiber and drummer Alex Reeves for the bluesy midtempo 'Devil Girl' which featured some thick blues guitar lines. Messin' Round No More' was far more upbeat. The remorseful 'Now I'm Gone' follows. The song commencing with some delicately played guitar licks and Bonfanti's soulful vocals, before developing to a closing crescendo. A playful version of Charlie Daniels' 'Leave The Long Haired Country Boy Alone' was notable with some fiery slide movements over the fretboard. The title track of the new album 'What Good Am I To You' was an easy going tune before the catchy 'Knock Me Down' with strong backbeat. A selection of cover versions followed which demonstrate Bonfanti's approach to his music. Buddy Guy's 'Leave My Girl Alone' was performed with emotion yet restraint before the bass lead funk of the Wells/Guy classic 'Messin' With The Kid'. These were not guitar centric interpretations by long lost blues idols, rather Bonfanti's versions revert to the feel of the orginals, but also with his own personal stamp. We got a version of Muddy's 'Mojo Working' which sounded more down-home than the legend's own recording. Ann Sexton's 'Your Gonna Miss Me' was channeled through Jimi Hendrix, before an almost acoustic reading of the Vaughan's 'Long Way From Home' and Bonfanti's equally strong 'Gimme Your Cash'. This is blues performed with contemporary expression with one foot retained within the roots of the music; and based on substance rather than flash. It seems certain this approach will pay great dividends for the likeable Bonfanti.
Very nice review. Cogent, insightful, well written and concise. Professional. Well done.
Glad you had a great ngt out.
Here's some footage I took on 31st ?Jan in London, excuse the video qualityin places the 'old' camcorder was on its last legs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oy0_WLinFE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArEe08A3alY
I saw Marcus and his band on Thursday evening. Here's a first draft review I did to share with you:
The intimate Inn at Lathones is in a countryside setting east of St Andrews. Ideal for such an environment was Marcus Bonfanti, whose confident and engaging communication with the audience made this concert the perfect relaxed environment for a night of blues. Bonfanti took to the stage himself to perform the footstomp 'God Only Know' featuring only harmonica besides his powerful voice. He was joined by bass player Scott Wiber and drummer Alex Reeves for the bluesy midtempo 'Devil Girl' which featured some thick blues guitar lines. Messin' Round No More' was far more upbeat. The remorseful 'Now I'm Gone' follows. The song commencing with some delicately played guitar licks and Bonfanti's soulful vocals, before developing to a closing crescendo. A playful version of Charlie Daniels' 'Leave The Long Haired Country Boy Alone' was notable with some fiery slide movements over the fretboard. The title track of the new album 'What Good Am I To You' was an easy going tune before the catchy 'Knock Me Down' with strong backbeat. A selection of cover versions followed which demonstrate Bonfanti's approach to his music. Buddy Guy's 'Leave My Girl Alone' was performed with emotion yet restraint before the bass lead funk of the Wells/Guy classic 'Messin' With The Kid'. These were not guitar centric interpretations by long lost blues idols, rather Bonfanti's versions revert to the feel of the orginals, but also with his own personal stamp. We got a version of Muddy's 'Mojo Working' which sounded more down-home than the legend's own recording. Ann Sexton's 'Your Gonna Miss Me' was channeled through Jimi Hendrix, before an almost acoustic reading of the Vaughan's 'Long Way From Home' and Bonfanti's equally strong 'Gimme Your Cash'. This is blues performed with contemporary expression with one foot retained within the roots of the music; and based on substance rather than flash. It seems certain this approach will pay great dividends for the likeable Bonfanti.
Thanks. You write almost as well as I do, tumor aside... 
I like the sound of this guy.
WellDone
BigJeff
Thanks Jeff
A nice album review and free MP3 here:
http://www.guitarnoize.com/blog/comment … -i-to-you/
Just back from his gig in Aberdeen. I had only heard 2 songs before but I really enjoyed the whole set. Finished with a slower than Rory version of Messin with the Kid. Was really appreciative of the audience coming to see him - there was about 40 there. Highly recommended. Spoke to him after and his bassist plays in Sandi Thom's band - he thinks she's supporting Joe again in May.
Just back from his gig in Aberdeen. I had only heard 2 songs before but I really enjoyed the whole set. Finished with a slower than Rory version of Messin with the Kid. Was really appreciative of the audience coming to see him - there was about 40 there. Highly recommended. Spoke to him after and his bassist plays in Sandi Thom's band - he thinks she's supporting Joe again in May.
Glad you enjoyed it Kenny. Of course Marcus is also supporting Sandi on her April and May tour dates! 
Saw Marcus again yesterday at his regular sunday afternoon blues jam session. Managed to video all of it roughly 100 minutes worth of quality blues with his band.
http://www.ents24.com/web/event/1961455 … ilner.html
At The Old Town Hall Arts Centre, Hemel Hempstead
Friday, 21 May 2010
From 8:00pm
Paddy Milner and Marcus Bonfanti are two of the most exciting young musicians on the UK blues scene today. Having toured the world together as part of The Big Sounds (founded by Milner) and backing Earl Thomas for the last two years, the pair are now embarking on a new duo project - 'Bonfanti/Milner'. Using piano, guitar, an array of percussion and vocal harmonies, they create an exciting and high-energy show
Marcus Bonfanti
London-born blues artist whose voice will bring back the true legends of Blues.
Paddy Milner
An exciting jazz pianist and vocalist who was told 'you make the piano sing' by no less than Jools Holland. Praise indeed! The award-winning British singer-songwriter and virtuoso pianist effortlessly crosses genres and eras, playing the blues, boogie, ska, soul and rock.
Spent the evening at my mates Blues radio show last night with Marcus Bonfanti.
Here is what he played on the show
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QQgxCF1XH0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3WGy8tDYXc
I think a bump is in order here.
Saw Marcus open up for Philip Sayce last night at the Robin 2.
Was very impressed indeed, and I agree with Greenose's description of him and his style/approach to his music.
A very talented and likeable bloke....very much looking forward to seeing him again with the full band behind him.
The future is safe. 
Joe Bonamassa Forum → Other Artists → Marcus Bonfanti
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