The name of the band is inspired by the American singer and songwriter, Rhiannon Giddens, as a tribute to the blues and Afroamerican culture’s roots. A powerful group formed by very experienced musicians.

 

Alex Alessandrini (Lead voc./ Guitar), guitarist, singer and songwriter, has been leader and cofounder of “E.Z.Riders”, with whom released 4 albums, playing in the U.S. & the UK and opening concerts in Italy for “Deep Purple” (2016) and “Slash” (2018).

 

Francesco “The Captain” Caporaletti (Bass) and Archelao “The Irish” Macrillo’ (drums) have collaborations with Ian Paice e Don Airey (Deep Purple), Uli Jon Roth (Scorpions), Vinnie Moore, David Grissom, Andrea Braido (Vasco Rossi, Zucchero “Sugar” Fornaciari).  

The Keyboardist, composer and polistrumentist Alessio Contorni worked with the best Italian artists over the past 15 years, and toured worldwide with Fabio Frizzi, a well know italian soundtracks composer. 
Black Banjo’s first album, “Out of the Skies”, has been released in March 2021, featuring also such artists as Nathaniel Peterson (Savoy Brown, Hubert Sumlin, Eric Clapton), and world famous saxophonist “Blue Lou” Marini, from the original Blues Brothers band.  The band's second album "The Beauty & The Burst" has been released in june 2022, featuring former Dickey Betts/Allman Brothers Band's keyboardist Johnny Neel.

 

In 2021 Black Banjo toured across Europe as opening act for the legendary British band “The Animals”, and both bands  still cross their paths on the road to this day.

In 2022, following the release of their second Album ‘The Beauty And The Burst’, Black Banjo toured Europe opening for Gus G, guitarist extraordinaire from the Ozzy Osbourne band, and played the Pistoia Blues Festival, in Italy, opening for Gov’t Mule.

In late 2022 the band got back on the road for a national tour with the guitarist Rowan Robertson, former band member of Ronnie James Dio.

In 2023 the band keeps touring across Europe as opening act for rock guitarist Steve Bolton (The Who, Paul Young, Atomic Rooster) and headlining shows on its own, as well. The band is also working on a new album, expected to be released later this year or in the early 2024.