Poso was invited to play at Sydney’s VIVID Festival where he delighted the audience who filled Tumablong Park, Darling Harbour last week. He is due to hit Brisbane and Melbourne next.

His latest work, Ritmo Italiano: Unspoken Sounds of Italian Tamburo, is delighting his fans as he tours Asia, Australia and Europe.

Ritmo Italiano provides an incredibly powerful experience of reworked percussive driven, “Italian gems” which have been carefully curated by Poso.

Poso is well known for his ability coordinate rhythm and musicality through a range of instruments, including his beloved percussion. His latest compilation showcases memorable Italian songs from the 1960s to the early 1990s.

Ritmo Italiano is a tribute to Italian percussion masters including Puccio Roelens with the song Caravan and the famous Pagaia by Tony Esposito.

Poso explains that Esposito was one of the first Italian percussionists to showcase percussion. “He brought a unique mix of soul, electronic, funk imbued with a strong percussive energy,” he explained.

Poso has a respectful approach to the Italian musicians who went before him – those who paved the way for others to be creative, brave and provocative.

In this latest compilation, Poso plays with various Italian favourites, and the music has delighted his dedicated international followers. These favourites include Volando con Milton by Naco, Certi giorni me sento bene, certi giorni mi sento male by Agostino Marangolo, Tony Cercola’s Lumumba and Vico Anthony and his Percussion Paesanos’ Mambo Ravioli.

Poso also presents his own original composition, Ritmo Italiano, which adds his contribution to Italian percussion mastery.

Poso has an intriguing background. He was born in Sardinia and grew up in Lecce. From an early age he was drawn to music, especially jazz and Afro-Latin music which formed a huge part of his parent’s vinyl collection. As a young boy he would spend hours flicking through and playing his parents collection whilst many peers his age were listening to more popular Italian and American music.

Poso experimented with many instruments from an early age. Now as a multi-instrumentalist, this versatility has facilitated his skill in music production.

However, for Mr. Bongo, percussion is his one true passion.

Poso’s curiosity and love for music led him to study under the tutelage of Roberto ‘Mamey’ Evangelista, the Mr. Big of Afro-Cuban music in Italy at the School of Music in Rome. There, he experimented with music with many other musicians in underground venues which made up the city’s jazz-funk music scene.

Curiosity and a passion for further musical exploration then led Poso to Puerto Rico for a time, and then to Cuba for a long period. The rich musical experiences provided Poso with a strong percussive energy which now ensures a strong following across many countries. 

Nowadays, he lives back in Lecce with his young family, composing, producing and constantly experimenting with a range of percussion instruments.

Poso’s compositions are evocative and rich in rhythm. What was particularly striking when I saw him play was his ability to engage with the audience - an audience of all ages and cultural backgrounds. Poso has his followers – and they know to expect something special.

This concert tour precedes the official launch of his album, Ritmo Italiano: Unspoken Sounds of Italian Tamburo.

Poso has a particular affinity with Australia. He feels the love for live music and the mix of cultures provides a particular energy and is always happy to return to share his Italian-eclectic musical vibes.

For his followers – who will be at his gigs, they already know that dance shoes are a must!

Poso will play Brisbane at Stan’s Lounge on June 13 and Melbourne’s Night Cat on June 14 before leaving for London.