James Maddock: voice and guitar
Brian Mitchell: voice, accordion and piano
Alessandro Valle: guitar, mandolin, dobro and pedal-steel guitar
James Maddock was born and raised in Leicester, England, but his musical career began and developed in the United States. Moving to New York for love, the city will always accompany him, indelibly characterizing his writing. In 2000 he was the leader of Wood with whom he released the album "Songs from Stamford Hill" which allowed him to sign a contract with Columbia Records. The album's single, "Stay You", entered the charts and was included in the soundtrack of the successful television series "Dawson's Creek". Maddock began playing live alongside the likes of Paula Cole, Train, and Susan Tedeschi. The parenthesis with Wood ended and Maddock took refuge in the Lower East Side, away from the stage and without recording records for several years. 2009 is the year of the great comeback for his first solo album entitled "Sunrise on Avenue C" which receives prestigious awards and recognitions such as the NY Music Awards. Renowned journalist Vin Scelsa reviewed: "I had completely fallen in love with James Maddock's music around the turn of the century when his band Wood released 'Songs from Stamford Hill'. My heart broke when James left the scene without any explanation. [...] the biggest surprise was listening to his new compositions, of a poignant beauty, of exquisite workmanship, which picked up the thread right where Stamford Hill had left us. James Maddock's talent has a timeless quality that he can only share with the greatest songwriters. His music touches the soul. I'm really happy that it's reappeared on my radar. The whole world needs artists like him!". "Sunrise on Avenue C" climbs to the top of the radio charts and wins the favor of audiences and critics. The piano played by Oli Rockberger catapults us with its brushstrokes into the magic of the streets of Manhatthan and intertwines wonderfully with the other instruments and with Maddock's hoarse and suffused voice. A voice that exudes whiskey, sweetness and desperation and that is reminiscent of the most inspired Rod Stewart and Steve Forbert. In a very short time, Maddock imposed himself thanks to his particular voice but above all for that poetic urgency, expressive immediacy and a pinch of bohemian romanticism. "When the sun's out" is an explosion of joy, it seems to have come out of a reissue of a seventies album that had unforgivably escaped us. During a live performance of Maddock and his band at the legendary Rockwood Music Hall in the Village, he met David Immerglück, guitarist of the world-famous rock band Counting Crows (as well as Camper Van Bethoven and John Hiatt for the award-winning album "Crossing Muddy Waters"). Immerglück and Maddock start dating. "Jimmy & Immy", recorded live at Rockwood Music Hall, is a testament to the exceptional feeling between these two musicians. A powerful record, just the two of them on stage, with acoustic guitars and mandolin. Another fundamental meeting is with the leader of the Irish band Waterboys, Mike Scott, with whom James begins to write songs together, including the splendid "Beautiful Now" that Maddock includes in the splendid album "Wake Up and Dream", released in 2011. It is the album of consecration for the rocker from Leicester who carves out a leading role in the world of songwriting. In 2013 he released "Another Life", a collection of electro-acoustic ballads featuring Larry Campbell, Bob Dylan's long-time collaborator. For several years now, Maddock has been a regular guest on the 'Light of Day', a caravan of extraordinary American songwriters who travel the world raising funds for Parkinson's research. The exceptional godfather of the Light of Day Foundation is Bruce Springsteen, who has performed several times with James Maddock, Garland Jeffreys, Willie Nile on the stage of the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park in the final concert of this marathon of solidarity. In 2014 he signed with the Italian label Appaloosa which released "The Green" and the subsequent "Live in Italia" recorded live at FolkClub with Alex Valle and David Immergluck. In 2018 he released "Insanity vs Humanity" and in 2019 "If It Ain't fixed, Don't Break It", with a rock'n'roll and vintage flavor. In 2020 he released "No Time To Cry", an acoustic album of great depth also for the themes touched, followed the following year by "Little Bird in the Neighbourhood". James Maddock is on tour to present his brand new album "Night Work" and is accompanied by one of the greatest pianists and accordionists around: the legendary Brian Mitchell. Mitchell is known in the music world for having worked with some of the most important artists in rock, folk, country, blues and R&B music, to name a few: Bob Dylan, Levon Helm and The Midnight Ramble, BB King, Dolly Parton, Little Feat, Rosanne Cash, Allen Toussaint and Buster Poindexter. He has contributed to 5 Grammy Award-winning recordings, 3 with Levon Helm and one with BB King and Les Paul. In 2015 Brian was inducted into the New York Blues Hall Of Fame. His versatility on piano, Hammond B-3 organ, accordion, on various vintage keyboards and harmonica in addition to his distinct vocal styles have firmly established him as one of the most sought-after musicians in New York City. Born in New York, Mitchell immediately stood out as a standout in Manhattan's live music. Known for his high-energy performances, Mitchell features a unique blend of gutbucket blues, funky New Orleans-style R&B, engaging Latin rhythms, as well as forays into other spheres. Currently, Brian is active in various exotic nightclubs in New York City with The Weight Band (former members of The Band and The Levon Helm Midnight Ramble), as well as with The Brian Mitchell Band and his trio Fatboy Kanootch, with Clark Gayton on tuba, finally he dabbles with the funky electronica of House Of Diablo, with Shawn Pelton on drums and electronic percussion. Brian is also featured in soundtracks for TV, film and theatre. Robert Altman used House Of Diablo's tracks for his "Tanner On Tanner". Brian also composed the music for the AMC TV series "Hell On Wheels" starring Marc Copely and James Dolan. Recently, the song "Step Away" written by Brian and Christine Santelli was included on Betty LaVette's Grammy-nominated CD "Worthy." His unique approach to performing and recording in the studio was the subject of an article in Keyboard Magazine. Brian has appeared frequently on television shows such as 'The Late Show with David Letterman', 'Late Night with Conan O'Brian', 'The Tonight Show', as well as the soap opera 'One Life To Live'. Brian's accordion can be heard in Bob Dylan's version of Dean Martin's "Return To Me" from "The Soprano's" series. Other special collaborations include accompanying actor Christopher Walken on accordion in the film "Search and Destroy" and playing piano with Amy Helm in Vera Farmiga's film "Higher Ground". He also performs regularly on PBS in 'Live At The Ryman' with Levon Helm & The Midnight Ramble Band, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, Buddy Miller, Sheryl Crow and Robert Plant. He also appeared on "The Love For Levon Concert" performing with Roger Waters, Greg Allman & Warren Haynes, John Mayer, John Hiatt, John Prine, Mavis Staples, Lucinda Williams, Jakob Dylan, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church and My Morning Jacket. He is also frequently featured with The Weight Band on the PBS TV show 'Live At The Infinity'. At the end of April 2024 Brian was on stage together with Bruce Springsteen, who wanted him in his mega-band for his 'Awards', to accompany him, Mavis Staples, John Mellencamp, Jackson Browne and some other 'sacred monsters' of the world on the Hammond organ.
With these two champions, on our stage another shining star -this time Italian- a friend who we always welcome back with great enthusiasm: Francesco De Gregori's guitarist, absolute master of pedal steel, Alessandro Valle!
