FRIDAY NIGHTS AT THE Q

GIRI BIOs

Franco Parrella, guitarist, vocalist

Franco’s music and cultural heritage stems from San Leucio del Sannio, the Campania region of Italy. After returning from Italy in 1969 as a child, Franco studied classical guitar with the Sydney Spanish Guitar Centre. As producer and presenter of Giri, he has regularly hosted sell-out shows at Adelaide Fringe and Adelaide Italian Festivals. His diverse Italian and Neapolitan musical repertoire are inspired by some of the great Italian and Neapolitan Cantautori of the 20th Century such as Carosone, Murolo, Modugno, Daniele, Mina and more.

His passion for preserving songs his mother and father taught him makes for compelling listening. Franco has played with The Flaming Alpacas, The Scirocco Project, Flamenco Neapolis and Due Voci and has performed as special guest for Lou Blackwell’s Continental Drift Adelaide Fringe show 2024 and with Movin’ Melvin Brown.

Steve Shier drummer, percussionist

Steve Shier, aka Captain Drumstick and Steve Shier Does Stuff is a well-known Adelaide drummer and musician. He has played in numerous rock and rockabilly bands in the 70s, 80s and 90s as well as running the Blackwood Music School for many years. These days he builds river boats and enjoys making and producing You Tube videos, documenting the boat building process.

Adrian Ferraretto violoncello

Adrian Ferraretto is an Adelaide violoncellist. He has played in many bands in the 90s and was part of the ARIA award winning Flamenco Aire line up in 1999. Adrian’s left hand comes from Padova, in the north of Italy, while his right hand comes from Napoli! His magic touch sets the moods to these soulful tunes.

Angel Manzella vocalist and Tamburo

Angel Manzella is a young Adelaide vocalist who is passionate about singing classic Italian songs. She comes from both Calabrian and Neapolitan roots and sings regularly at Adelaide Italian festivals and clubs.

Alessia Grillenzoni harmonica

Alessia Grillenzoni is a harmonica player from Modena, Italy. She has lived in Australia for the last 5 years and she has a love for the Blues. Alessia’s harps playing adds a unique touch to these eclectic Italian tunes.

Giri – Anema e Core

Franco Parrella (Giri), the Godfather of Italian Lounge, pays homage to the great Italian and Neapolitan Cantautori from the 1950s-70s, including Carosone, Murolo, Modugno, Mina and more. Inspired by a bunch of 7-inch vinyls Giri brought from Italy in 1969, these shows take the audience on a Time Tunnel trip through the golden era of Italian and Neapolitan music. Think swing-lounge, baroque ‘n roll meets Neapolitan gypsy mayhem! Giri’s Amici include Adrian Ferraretto (violoncello), Steve Shier, (percussion), joined also by Angel Manzella (vocals, tamburo) and Alessia Grillenzoni (harmonica).

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