MARCUS BONFANTI - GUITAR
From the first note of Led Zeppelin's "Black Dog" sixteen-year-old Marcus Bonfanti knew he wanted to be a guitar player.
After spending his youth as a trumpet player in brass bands, working 12 hours a day in a kitchen to buy his first guitar, dropping out of a prestigious Music College and touring the world with different artists for almost ten years as a session player Bonfanti has become the sum of all the great music he was exposed to as a young boy growing up in North London.
Since releasing his first full length album in 2008 his solo career has gone from strength to strength and seen him tour with and open shows for Robert Cray, Chuck Berry, Shuggie Otis, Philip Sayce, Jack Bruce, The Straits, Beth Hart, John Mayall, Beth Rowley and JJ Grey.
He also fronts The Ronnie Scott's Blues Explosion; a monthly residency held at London's prestigious venue and has worked as a sideman for PP Arnold, Earl Thomas, Joe Louis Walker, Robbie Macintosh, Hamish Stuart, Mark Feltham, Eric Burdon and Buddy Whittington.
His 2008 debut album, 'Hard Times,' set the scene and sent some subtly effective messages about a new British voice demanding to be heard. 2010's 'What Good Am I To You' (Listed in Classic Rock Magazine's top 50 albums of 2010 & Single "Give Me Your Cash" top 40 songs of 2010) made good on all those promises.
The critical acclaim that both albums received earned him the 2012 & 2013 British Blues Awards for Best Songwriter and Acoustic performer respectively as well as nominations in both Guitarist and Vocalist categories for the last three years.
"Shake The Walls", released in June 2013, was listed in Classic Rock Magazines' top 5 Blues Albums of the year as well as getting airplay on BBC Radio 2 and 6Music and much critical acclaim in the music press and national newspapers.
"Marcus Bonfanti deserves to become the next British Blues Guitar Hero”
The Guardian
"As if Jimmy Page had been reborn as Seasick Steve. Utterly spellbinding”
The Times
"With a voice like sand & glue, a punchy guitar technique & stockpile of careworn tales, his appeal becomes unisex. Highlights are plentiful”
Classic Rock Magazine - Blues album of the month
"Bonfanti will be loosening the plaster from the ceiling with outings from a powerful new album.”
The Independent
"Bonfanti hits the nail on the head with his all-together new & original sound, which merges together several genres to create its own. From the second he played his first note, you were aware you were in the presence of greatness.”
The Upcoming