The name of the band is inspired by the American singer and songwriter, Rhiannon Giddens, as a tribute to the roots of blues and African American culture. It is a powerful group formed by highly experienced musicians. Alex Alessandrini (Lead Vocals/Guitar), guitarist, singer, and songwriter, has been the leader and co-founder of “E.Z. Riders,” with whom he released four albums, playing in the U.S. and the UK, and opening concerts in Italy for “Deep Purple” (2016) and “Slash” (2018). Francesco “The Captain” Caporaletti (Bass) has collaborated with Ian Paice and Don Airey (Deep Purple), Uli Jon Roth (Scorpions), Vinnie Moore, David Grissom, and Andrea Braido (Vasco Rossi, Zucchero “Sugar” Fornaciari). Black Banjo’s first album, “Out of the Skies,” was released in March 2021, featuring artists such 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," was released in June 2022, featuring former Dickey Betts/Allman Brothers Band keyboardist Johnny Neel. In 2021, Black Banjo toured across Europe as the opening act for the legendary British band “The Animals,” and both bands still cross 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, (Ozzy Osbourne), and played at the Pistoia Blues Festival in Italy opening for Gov’t Mule. In late 2022, the band hit the road for a national tour with guitarist Rowan Robertson, a former member of Ronnie James Dio. In 2023, the band continued to tour across Europe as the opening act for rock guitarist Steve Bolton (The Who, Paul Young), for the historic band Atomic Rooster, and headlining shows on their own. In 2024, the band toured across Europe with Corky Laing, the legendary drummer from "Mountain," and Vinnie Moore, and is now preparing to release a brand new album, expected in spring 2025.