Biography.
Pic. Paolo Farolfi
"… Musicians as him as Spencer Bohren and as Angelo "Leadbelly" Rossi so much to make some examples those from which to take sprouts. People that is that when they climb on the stage they know whether to do, and doesn't introduce twice never the same show to the public. "
Il Blues
Riki Massini performs on the most prestigious stages in Europe, and over the last decade, he has toured the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Ireland, Holland, Norway, France, Czech Republic, China, and the USA. He has collaborated with musicians of international fame: Gary Pickford Hopkins (Rick Wakeman, Wild Turkey), Louisiana Red, Tommy Emmanuel, Paul Jones (The Blues Band), Graham Walker (Gary Moore), Glenn Cornick (Jethro Tull, Wild Turkey), last but not least, the legend Gerry McAvoy (Rory Gallagher, Nine Below Zero), Brendan O’Neill (Rory Gallagher, Nine Below Zero) and the great English guitarist Paul Rose.
He was invited to London by Mick Abrahams to record live the "Mick Abrahams 65th Birthday Gig Party", a concert that was also released on DVD. This significant event featured performances with Paul Jones (The Blues Band), Elliott Randall (The Dobbie Brothers), Geoff Whitehorn (Procol Harum, Roger Daltrey Band, Paul Rodgers Band), Sharon Watson, the original members of Blodwyn Pig, with a historic rhythm section including Graham Walker (drummer for Gary Moore) and the renowned John (Guinness) Gordon on bass, formerly with Eric Clapton.
Riki has made various radio appearances, including The Alan Thompson Show on BBC Radio in England and Life Gate and Rock FM in Italy, featuring in shows hosted by the legendary harp player Fabio Treves. Riki is considered by Donal, brother and manager of the late Rory Gallagher, one of his best interpreters, and he was invited by Sinnerboy (Rory’s Gallagher famous tribute band) to perform at one of the world's most famous venues, the Cavern Club in Liverpool, for the annual concert dedicated to the Irish guitarist.
In June 2016, Riki was invited as the Italian representative to the Chicago Blues Festival, where he performed with the Chicago legend Fernando Jones on multiple occasions at Grant Park's Jackson Boulevard and Columbus Drive, in what is arguably the world's most significant blues festival.
He has performed at numerous prominent festivals, including:
- Blues to Bop (Switzerland)
- Pistoia Blues Festival (Italy)
- Rory Gallagher International Festival (UK, Ireland, Holland, Norway)
- Cork Rocks for Rory (Ireland)
- Torrita Blues Festival (Italy)
- Root's and Blues Festival (Italy)
- Vicenza Blues Festival (Italy)
- Bordighera Blues Festival (Italy)
- Pignola Blues Festival (Italy)
- Nistoc Blues Festival (Italy)
- Castelfranco Blues Festival (Italy)
- River Blues Festival (Italy)
- Red & Blues Festival (Italy)
- Megève Blues Festival (France)
- Pleins Feux Festival (France)
- 798 Festival (China)
- Baronissi Blues Festival (Italy)
Riki has opened for many great international musicians, including Joe Cocker, Jethro Tull, Joe Bonamassa, Louisiana Red, Taj Mahal, Kenny Neal, Watermelon Slim, Ike Turner, Treves Blues Band, Scott Henderson, Nine Below Zero, Otis Taylor, Eric Bell (Thin Lizzy), Barry McCabe, Mick Taylor, and many others.
Currently, Riki tours Europe with Clive Bunker, the legendary drummer from the original Jethro Tull band.