The Cinelli Brothers
The Cinelli Brothers is a project born out of a common passion for the electric Chicago and Texas blues from the 60s and 70s, when brothers Marco (guitarist and lead singer) and Alessandro (drummer) decided to form an explosive team showcasing original repertoire in the style of Chess, Stax and Motown.
Joining the two brothers on stage, Tom Julian-Jones on harmonica, guitar and vocals and Stephen Giry on bass, guitar and vocals.
In 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 the band has been nominated for the UK Blues Awards as “Blues Band Of the Year”.
In January 2022 the record “Villa Jukejoint” was nominated for the UK Blues Awards as “Blues Album Of the Year”.
In January 2023 the record “No Country For Bluesmen” was nominated for the UK Blues Awards as “Blues Album Of the Year”.
In September 2022 the band won the UK Blues Challenge.
In January 2023 the band successfully achieved runner up in the finals of the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, US.
Their debut album Babe Please Set Your Alarm was recorded at the Soup Studio in London and the full live and analog recording was released in May 2018 on vinyl and digital format.
The record went number 2 in the IBBA (Independent Blues Broadcasters’ Association) in June 2018.
The band is been featured in Blues in Britain, Blues Matters, Classic Rock and other magazines.
This album comprises nine tasty original compositions and three finely crafted covers. ‘Chain of Fools’ by Don Covay (an Aretha hit), ‘Back Door Man’ – which stays true to Willie Dixon’s number – and Prince’s ‘Kiss’, in a remarkable shuffle rhythm.
Music Republic Magazine nominated Marco Cinelli as Best Guitar Player of 2018.
Legendary radio and broadcaster David ‘Kid’ Jensen has played a different track from their album on six consecutive weeks of his United DJs radio show, naming them as his favourite blues outfit, and his favourite blues album in many years.
On the 30th of November 2021 the band released their second album “Villa Jukejoint” in conjuction with a SOLD OUT show at the legendary 100 Club in London.
Recorded at home with only 1 microphone, the record has a unique vintage and retro feel typical of the ‘50s and earlier ‘60s!
February album of the month for the IBBA, which broadcasted a different song each week, the records has been featured magazines in the UK, Spain, and in the Netherlands, with fantastic reviews.
The Cinelli Brothers champion a new generation of passionate musicians sharing in the love of Blues, Soul, R&B and the true authentic sounds that have made the blues a cornerstone of music history.
Alice Armstrong
Known for her wide vocal range, unconventional lyrics, red hair, red light-sensitivity glasses and an unrivalled stage presence, Alice Armstrong’s songs have so far reached the top 20 in the most played albums of the Independent Blues Broadcasters Association and has been nominated for four different categories in the UK Blues awards in the last three years.
Living nextdoor to Alice….
A third generation singer, Alice was raised on her grandfather’s stories from his time singing in bands in 50’s-60’s London, whilst Alice’s parents listened to blues, soul, funk, jazz and reggae constantly at home.
Music, comedy, literature and acting became valuable sources of escapism for the little girl dubbed the ‘poor, fat weird kid’ by schoolmates, and by the age of eight Alice had discovered artists such as Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison and B. B. King. At ten she began harmonising with her mother in the car on the way to school. By twelve, Alice had realised what made her stand out at school made her a great entertainer on stage, going on to win regional performing arts trophies. At twenty, Alice was running live music nights in venues across the county.
In 2017, Alice started fronting and writing for the Crossfire Blues Band, formed by guitarist Marcus Praestgaard-Stevens, after the two met at a blues jam. After rapidly gaining traction and completing a European tour, the band later separated amicably so both Marcus and Alice could follow exciting new opportunities.
Since then, Alice has strutted many stages of the UK’s biggest rhythm & blues festivals, completed more European tours and featured in the UK Blues Awards.
Alice finds great joy in collaboration and has co-written songs and albums with Matt Long (Catfish), the Stevie Watts Organ Trio and the Cinelli Brothers, reaching the IBBA top 20 list for 2020 and earning multiple nominations at the UK Blues Awards three years running.
2023 promises to be Alice’s biggest year yet with the release of her first official single, ‘Speed Dial’, followed by more singles, an EP and gigs in England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Czechia, Poland, South Korea, Greece, Croatia and more!
Alice credits Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Donnie Hathaway, Amy Winehouse, Peggy Lee and Dinah Washington to be just some of her musical influences, peppering her performances with her trademark sense of humour garnered from the likes of the Goon Show, French & Saunders and Monty Python.
An ardent advocate of the Black Lives Matter, Body Positivity, Mental Health, LGBTQ+ and Feminist movements, Alice hopes to use her voice to fight for every person’s right to exist in freedom, safety and equality.