“Nothing is pure any more,” says Alejandro Toledo. “Hybridity seems to be the new authenticity.” That definition makes the sound of the Magic Tombolinos deeply authentic. For while Middle-Eastern, Latin, and gypsy influences dominate, the music of this sax-and-accordion-fronted quintet contains much else besides – a jot of jazz, a pinch of punk, a taste of tango… And they play with fire and fury, at turns reminiscent of both Romanian whirlwinds Fanfare Ciocarlia and Manu Chao’s full-throttle live band. The Tombolinos’ line-up is suitably mongrel, too. Calling the People’s Republic of Stoke Newington home, this international brigade put a certain Premiership team in mind, one just a couple of miles up the road from their HQ. Just as Arsenal are partial to fielding teams exclusively comprising of overseas players, none of the Tombolinos carries a UK passport. But, as Gunners fans showed, that needn’t affect your support of this combo. Multinational they might be, but to a man they’re very much ours.
(Biography written by Nige Tassell 2011)
Meet the band
ALEJANDRO TOLEDO: Saxes / Vocals
Born in Argentina, Alejandro has spent most of his life travelling around the globe. He holds a performance degree in Classical Saxophone performace from McGill University, a Masters degree in Romanian Roma Saxphone performance from SOAS University, and is currently a PhD candidate at Goldsmiths College in Eastern European Saxophone Performance Practices. Read more.
Nuno Brito – Drums (Portugal)
Nuno studied classical percussion in Portugal at Escola Profissional de Artes da Beira Interior. Through his studies he became knowledgeable in dealing with the most basic musical form to the most challenging one including orchestral performances, Jazz and Latin based music to improvised cacophony. In 2004 he arrived in London and has since been performing and touring abroad with several bands. He is currently completing a Bachelor of Music in Popular Music Performance at UEL University (London) and is also creating and teaching a drum kit program delivered to Primary schools through the organisation Bluenote. Read more.
Maurizio Pala – Accordion (Italy)
Maurizio Pala is from Italy, and to avoid having to drive a gondola, cook pizza or become a mafiaoso, he started to study music. Now he’s a virtuouso accordionist who specializes in Eastern-european music. Along with his Piatanesi accordion, he has performed extensively around Europe with differend bands, playing various styles such as Argentinian Tango, Klezmer, comedy shows, and theater. He is also a composer and actor. Read more.
Michele Montolli – Double Bass (Italy)
Michele studied violin from the age of seve switching later to rock and electric bass. By the age of seventeen he had taken up classical double bass in Verona’s Conservatory where he spent two years. Following this he moved to Graz in Austria where he graduated in 2009 in Jazz Double Bass. Michele has toured various Jazz and World festivals in and around Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium and the Balkan Peninsula. He is now based in London where he plays with the Magic Tombolinos.
Davide Lufrano Chaves – Guitar (Italy,Costa Rica)
Davide graduated in classical guitar at the Conservatory in Florence. Of latin american Costa Rican origins, he studied flamenco with Oscar Herrero, jazz at Berklee Music School and modern composition and arrangement. Currently has been working as a performer, teacher, composer in London and collaborates with Magic Tombolinos. Read more.
Discography
“Full Attack, With Sudden Defences” (Released in 2009).