Mario Biondi

Charting Italian vocalist Mario Biondi possesses a deep, smooth yet grainy baritone that is extremely low, intense, and profoundly emotional when interpreting soul, R&B, and jazz. His love for the former helped to shape his particular styling, which takes its cue from the influence of great vocalists like Lou Rawls, Al Jarreau, and Isacc Hayes. A professional since his teens, Biondi was a session singer for years -- in 1988 he had the opportunity to support Ray Charles. He received his first big break in 2004 when his jazz-pop single "This Is What You Are" (on which he was bac...