Concert / Justin Adams & Mauro Durante

Master musicians Justin Adams from the UK and Mauro Durante from Italy are rooted in very different musical traditions, but bonded over a deep fascination with ancient trance rhythms. Together the unique duo conjure up a mystic sound that is undefined, yet inviting. Rhythmic, hypnotic and melodic, but the raw, rocking sound by the duo could make any punk rock band envious at times.

UK based, Justin Adams, guitarist, producer and composer, has been a creator of wonders with Robert Plant in the Sensational Space Shifters for nearly 20 years. His production on landmark albums by Tinariwen and Rachid Taha highlights his feel for North African groove, while his award-winning collaborations with Juldeh Camara on Real World Records linked griot tradition with raw blues spirit. His work with artists such as Jah Wobble and many records with his old pal Sinead O’Connor were infused with the spirit of post-punk London, while his own solo guitar album “Ribbons” was cited by Songlines magazine among the top 50 albums of the past decade.

Italian musician Mauro Durante has toured the world for many years with Ludovico Einaudi playing violin and frame drums. He is one of the leading players in the pizzica style of Southern Italy and also leads the music ensemble, Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino (CGS), who have played at many great festivals all over the world including World Music Festival Chicago twice. Last year CGS were featured in their own concert at the BBC Proms (where Justin Adams guested with them) and they won ‘Best Group’ in the Songlines Music Awards.

The collaboration with Mauro Durante stems from a concert led by pianist Ludovico Einaudi, the legendary Notte de Taranta in Puglia, Italy where the two first played together. Recognizing kindred spirits in the trance rhythms of Taranta which transcend “melancolia” or the blues, the two musicians continued to collaborate and find a new path together. The duo won Songlines magazine’s ‘Best Fusion Artist’ award in 2022 and they have since toured the world. Their new 2024 follow up album, “Sweet Release” was chosen as one of the best albums of 2024 by World Music Charts Europe, Transglobal World Music Chart, Songlines, World Music Central and many others.