Italian jazz/soul vocalist Mario Biondi is born of artistic stock in the Sicilian state of Catania. His great grandfather was a respected painter, his grandmother a singer and father a popular songwriter. Biondi sang all throughout childhood, first performing in public at age 12 in church, soon singing in public squares before hundreds of people. From there he competed twice in the Festival della Canzone Siciliana, taking third place. Biondi's musical pursuits earned him the opportunity to perform alongside such Italian vocal greats as Califano, Bongusto and Fiorello as well as American legend Ray Charles. As word of his talent and skill got out, Biondi found himself collaborating with groups like the Change (Bologna), Mario Brothers and Funky Company on recordings and tours. With a powerful, unique voice, it was not long before Biondi was encouraged to pursue a solo career. With material inspired by American RB artists like Lou Rawles, Luther Vandross and Donny Hathaway, Mario's debut record was released in 2006 on the boutique label Family Affair. Handful of Soul featured the single "This is What You Are," which went immediately on heavy rotation throughout Italy and the U.K. A year later Biondi performed the song at the important Sanremo Festival in Italy, bolstering the record's popularity which made it one of Billboard's European Top 100.

Italian jazz/soul vocalist Mario Biondi is born of artistic stock in the Sicilian state of Catania. His great grandfather was a respected painter, his grandmother a singer and father a popular songwriter. Biondi sang all throughout childhood, first performing in public at age 12 in church, soon singing in public squares before hundreds of people. From there he competed twice in the Festival della Canzone Siciliana, taking third place. Biondi's musical pursuits earned him the opportunity to perform alongside such Italian vocal greats as Califano, Bongusto and Fiorello as well as American legend Ray Charles. As word of his talent and skill got out, Biondi found himself collaborating with groups like the Change (Bologna), Mario Brothers and Funky Company on recordings and tours. With a powerful, unique voice, it was not long before Biondi was encouraged to pursue a solo career. With material inspired by American RB artists like Lou Rawles, Luther Vandross and Donny Hathaway, Mario's debut record was released in 2006 on the boutique label Family Affair. Handful of Soul featured the single "This is What You Are," which went immediately on heavy rotation throughout Italy and the U.K. A year later Biondi performed the song at the important Sanremo Festival in Italy, bolstering the record's popularity which made it one of Billboard's European Top 100.