Marcus Bonfanti / Alex (Dirty Diamond & The Gunslinger) / Chris Price / Jordan Reid

Sat 02nd Mar

Doors: 7pm
Venue: The Roxy 171
Ticket Price: 6.00

Gig Guide

Marcus Bonafanti- http://www.marcusbonfanti.com

From the first note of Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog” sixteen-year-old Marcus Bonfanti knew he wanted to be a guitar player.
Now 29, Bonfanti has become the sum of all the great music he was exposed to as a young boy growing up in North London. His 2008 debut album, ‘Hard Times,’ set the scene and sent some subtly effective messages about a new British voice demanding to be heard. 2010’s ‘What Good Am I To You’ (Listed in Classic Rock Magazine’s top 50 albums of 2010 & Single “Give Me Your Cash” top 40 songs of 2010) makes good on all those promises. The critical acclaim that both albums received earned him 2 nominations in both last year and this year’s “British Blues Awards” for Best Male Vocals & Best Guitar. Last year he was also invited by Paul Jones to perform at his 25th Year anniversary show at BBC Maida Vale Studios and as special guest at his legendary Cranleigh Arts Centre Christmas gig.

Born to an English Mother and Italian father who was still at University at the time, they preceded to play the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Beatles and Cat Stevens throughout his childhood but it wasn’t until a friend at school turned him onto Zeppelin and The Doors that his love for the guitar began.

After moving to Liverpool to study music at The Institute for Performing Arts, Marcus decided to leave the college after 2 years and follow in the footsteps of his idols by learning his trade out on the road. He formed a 3-piece blues band and played 3 sets a night 7 nights a week all over the country picking up valuable experience of how to perform as well as a healthy appetite for late nights and strong Whisky along the way.

Also a member of UK rock band Saint Jude (Nominated as Best New Band in 2011 Classic Rock awards) and playing and recording with legendary singer PP Arnold, Bonfanti has managed to pack a lot into his early musical career. Opening for the likes of Chuck Berry, Robert Cray, Jack Bruce, John Mayal, The Yardbirds, Walter Trout, Ian Siegal, Philip Sayce, Sonny Landreth, Paul Jones, and Beth Rowley. As well as working with Joe Lewis Walker, Johnny Mars, The Selecter, Jimmy Carl Black, Hamish Stewart, Paddy Milner, Earl Thomas, Todd Sharpville and Findlay Brown. 2012 will see the release of Bonfanti’s much-anticipated third album as well as dates around the UK and Europe to promote it.

“People can call my music Blues if they want. I love the blues, it’s my favourite genre but I’m takin it somewhere else. I got my own music to play and blues to sing and I’ll keep doin it till the day I die…”

Alex (dirty diamond and the gunslinger)- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dirty-Diamond-The-Gunslinger/231398826924021