Author(s): Tony Laforo
Date of publication: 10/2003
Ottowa Citizen
ZUCCHERO
Zucchero's seasoned, clear and smoky voice crackles over the phone from his home in Tuscany, telling the caller it's not really a bother telephoning at such a late hour.
He says he's just finished recording a new CD and has returned home for a few days to pack his bags before setting out for a tour of several Ontario cities. Home for the 48-year-old singer is a renovated old mill in northern Tuscany -- Sting is a neighbour -- that he retreats to after his heavy touring schedule and recording sessions.
He says he's familiar with Canada, having played Toronto, Montreal and even Quebec City, but never the Ottawa area, although he's looking forward to his concert Sunday night at the Casino du Lac Leamy.
When he learns the Ottawa-area has a vibrant French population, he perks up, adding that he's always been a big draw in France, where his CDs do well.
"My concerts are like little festivals between friends -- I have a close rapport with the audience. It's like I'm performing in their home, and if they like me, they can sing along and dance if they want to," says the singer, born Adelmo Fornaciari, but more commonly known as Zucchero ("sugar" in Italian), a name given to him year ago by a schoolteacher.
He's also been called the Italian Joe Cocker, a moniker that doesn't offend him because of his admiration for the great blues artist, with whom he's performed several times.
Zucchero has been an international success and has ventured beyond Italian borders, striking up friendships and performing musical duets with Bryan Adams, Eric Clapton, Cher, Bono and Tom Jones.
Zucchero says he's a true Italian artist, but his life has been enriched by a strong affection for American rhythm and blues and soul music. He says he was drawn to the music at an early age by a close friend who also shared a passion for the raw diversity of American music.
"It's like this type of music called out to me," he says.
"I remember when I was 11 years old, my father bought me a guitar and I immediately began to learn to play the music of Otis Redding, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin. By listening to their music and playing their songs, I began to develop my own style from these great musical influences."
He says it was difficult growing up in Italy in the mid-'60s to get records of some of the great American rhythm and blues artists. He says Italy does not have a long tradition of rhythm and blues music, although a few Italian singers in the past have dabbled in that music form.
Now, decades later, he says his tastes in the musical genre have grown to include artists such as Robert Johnson, John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters. He says his latest CD, Shake, which has already been released in Europe, is a loving tribute to the types of music he grew up with and still enjoys performing.
"This CD is very positive and inspiring because we experimented a lot with rhythm and blues and gospel music. I'm very happy with it and I think it's among one of the finest things that I've ever done."