Buanne’s voice reminds listeners of promises whispered by the sea and of old vinyl records that never stop spinning. His new single, Solamente una vez, is an anthem to Latin tenderness.
The single precedes the release of his new album NapoLatino, arriving next October with Universal Music/Decca Australia. The album features twenty tracks that blend his inseparable Neapolitan roots with the colours of Latin America, along with some original compositions by the artist himself.
Buanne aims to construct a sonic bridge between the Mediterranean and the South American coasts, telling the story of a musical identity without borders.
His 20th Anniversary Tour, announced by Dainty, is “a true declaration of love to Italy” and to the Australian audience that has learned to know and love him.
Buanne’s journey began in 2005 with the release of The Italian, recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London and accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
It was an unexpected debut: 100,000 copies sold in just one week in the UK, gold and platinum records in Europe, Africa and Asia, and triple platinum in Australia, a land that has always welcomed him with sincere affection.
“I still remember the excitement of releasing my first album twenty years ago,” Buanne recalled. “I prayed and dreamed that music would take me around the world. I am honoured and proud that this journey has lasted so long and that I am still welcomed so warmly in Australia.”
“I always dreamed of turning my music into a long career, like that of Tony Bennett or Frank Sinatra. Today I’m very happy and proud to do what I love, and to make my ‘bread’ with applause.
“At the beginning, I was the one bringing songs to the world; now it’s my music and my voice that take me far. This time, to Australia.”
But behind the spotlight lies an intense personal journey. Born in Vienna to Neapolitan parents, Buanne grew up between two cultural capitals, absorbing languages, traditions and, above all, music.
At the age of four, he was already singing among the tables of his family’s restaurant, and at 17, he signed his first recording contract after a memorable performance in front of 85,000 people in Poland.
The sudden loss of his father could have ended his path, but it was the power of heartfelt melody that once again became his salvation.
Since then, nine albums, over twenty million records sold worldwide (more than half a million in Australia alone), international tours and the unwavering ambition to “represent Italian song in the world”.
“I don’t just sing nostalgia, but authentic emotions. I want to give the audience what they love, but also something extra,” he said.
“The most important thing is to always be yourself, but you must always find a way to be compatible with your listeners and reinvent yourself if necessary. I’ve always been a singer who wanted to bring to the world these wonderful songs that made the history of Italian music: from Domenico Modugno to Toto Cutugno, from Rocco Granata to Jimmy Fontana.
“Today I’m lucky enough to also sing original songs.”
Buanne in Procida, where he filmed parts of a music video for a song on his new album, NapoLatino
The new musical project NapoLatino was born from a strong desire to evolve without betraying his roots. From timeless classics of Neapolitan music like Tu si ‘na cosa grande and ’O sole mio to popular songs like Bésame mucho and La bamba.
“I had a lot of fun; we recorded the album in Torre del Greco, in the province of Naples, in a fantastic studio with truly talented musicians,” he shared.
“In Procida we filmed some scenes for a music video; an island that’s a gem, with a uniquely sensitive touch. But Naples is always present in my life; even the song Ti innamorerai was filmed in Pozzuoli, my grandmother’s hometown.”
Despite international success, Buanne continues to feel the simple pleasure of his craft. “In the end, I always want to express joy, to make people dance and have fun.”
The Australian tour will see him on stage on December 7 at the Palais Theatre in Melbourne, December 9 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre and December 11 at the Darling Harbour Theatre in Sydney. Three evenings that promise to be a musical celebration of his first twenty years in the business.
“For twenty years, I’ve felt ‘married’ to the Australian public,” he revealed with a smile.
“Adelaide, in particular, is full of Italo-Australians with Campanian roots. It’s a sweet, quiet city that really stayed in my heart.
“But I love all of Australia, I find it wonderful. I stayed in Europe only because I feel tied to its history and culture, and above all because my mother is still in Austria.”
Next December, his audience will rediscover that modern, romantic, elegant crooner, a performer capable of uniting tradition and modernity, of singing about faraway worlds, enchanting with resonant notes and evoking lasting emotions
“I don’t expect anything from the future, because you can be disappointed and sometimes it’s nice to be surprised,” he said.
“I’m looking toward the next step, right now I’m looking forward to December to tour Australia. Joining me on stage will be a special guest, Silvia Colloca, and I’m sure the concert will be magical.
“This is exactly what I want to give my audience - I want to bring love with my music.”
