Paul Simonon, Tony Allen, Ligabue, Anna Phoebe, Raul Rodriquez and Andrea Echeverri join Phil Manzanera at La Notte Della Taranta

– 22 August 2015, Melpignano, Italy

A stellar line-up of international artists was announced today for La Notte della Taranta, held in Salento, Italy on Saturday 22 August which this year has Roxy Music’s Phil Manzanera as its Maestro Concertatore. The artists performing with Manzanera and the local pizzica musicans and dancers, are Paul Simonon, best known as bass guitarist for seminal punk rock band, The Clash, Tony Allen, Nigerian drummer and co-founder of Afrobeat music, Ligabue, Italian rock superstar, Andrea Echeverri, guitarist and lead singer with Colombian Los Aterciopelados and Anna Phoebe, London-based violinist of Trans-Siberian Orchestra fame.

Phil Manzanera said: “I’m delighted that La Notte della Taranta has attracted such wonderful artists and it’s a tribute to the fine local muscians and dancers that they want to be part of this incredible concert. I’m hoping that this year, all of us performing can ensure that one of Italy’s best kept secrets, reaches a wider international audience.”

Paul Simonon (www.paulsimonon.com) is a world-renowned musician and founder member of The Clash, the highly influential punk rock band. Recent work includes The Good, The Bad & The Queen with Damon Albarn and the Gorillaz album, Plastic Beach. Speaking of his involvement with La Notte, he said:

Tony Allen, drummer, composer and songwriter, was described by Brian Eno as “perhaps the greatest drummer who ever lived” and Fela Kuti said of him, “without Tony Allen there would be no Afrobeat music”. Tony Allen was Fela Kuti’s Africa ‘70 from 1968 to 1979. Among many of his projects, was joining Paul Simonon in The Good, The Bad & The Queen. Ligabue (www.ligabue.com) is an Italian superstar, regularly performing sell-out concerts to more than 80,000 fans.

Ligabue is not only Italian rock royalty but also a film director and writer. This is Ligabue’s debut performance at La Notte della Taranta.

Andrea Echeverri (www.andreaecheverri.com) is an acclaimed and Grammy nominated Colombian singer and guitarist, both know for her solo career and her work with the celebrated Aterciopelados: Manzanera produced their 1996 album, La Pipa de la Paz.

Anna Phoebe (www.annaphoebe.com) is a London-based violinist who is famed for her versatility across a range of music genres. From 2004 to 2009 Anna played and toured with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and met Manzanera in 2010 when she toured with Roxy Music. Anna is currently touring with her own band.

Raul Rodriquez, flamenco guitarist is also added to the bill. Raul played with Kiko Veneno, Martirio, Cara Oscura and others, he brought the Tres Flamenco, a variation of the Tres Cubano, to the flamenco world. With flamenco guitarist, Paco de Amparo, he created ” Son de la Frontera” a highly respected flamenco group. His first solo album ” Razón de son” was critically acclaimed.

La Notte della Taranta is a free open-air concert and attracts over 150,000 fans. The concert, now in its 17th year, takes place in the small village of Melpignano, in the beautiful Salento area of Southern Italy, the home of pizzica music, which forms the core of the concert repertoire.

Previous Maestro Concertatores of La Notte della Taranta includes, Ludovico Einaudi, Stewart Copeland and Goran Bregovic.

Information at:

www.lanottedellataranta.it

www.manzanera.com