The “Sicilian Crooner” Mario Biondi returns to Scotland in 2026 for two exciting shows celebrating the 20th Anniversary of his iconic single “This Is What You Are”:
TUESDAY 9 JUNE 2026 | EDINBURGH (The Queen’s Hall)
WEDNESDAY 10 JUNE 2026 | GLASGOW (St Luke’s)
TICKETS HERE
It has been 20 years since Mario Biondi’s warm, deep voice won over audiences abroad and in Italy with the single “This Is What You Are,” which went on to become one of his most iconic songs and a contemporary classic of international soul-jazz and led to collaborations with Burt Bacharach, Chaka Khan, and Earth, Wind & Fire. Since then, he’s earned platinum albums, recorded for Disney films, and performed on iconic stages.
To celebrate this important milestone, a new version of “This Is What You Are (20th Anniversary)” (Beyond/The Orchard) has been released on September 12 on all digital platforms, featuring renowned musicians from the international jazz scene such as Dennis Chambers (drums), John Patitucci (bass), Antonio Faraò (piano), Till Brönner (trumpet), Chase Baird (saxophone), and two of his long-time musicians, Massimo Greco (keyboards) and Marco Fadda (percussion).
“This Is What You Are” dates back to 2004, when the single reached the famous British DJ Norman Jay, who played the track on BBC 1 and BBC 6 playlists. The song entered and remained in “heavy rotation” and in the charts for a long time and was chosen by Norman Jay himself to be included in the compilation Good Time 5. “This Is What You Are” was included on the album “Handful of Soul,” released in October 2006, which cemented the international success of Mario’s career.
Today, he is one of the most successful Italian artists abroad. The Crooning Undercover project has racked up over 120 concerts in 25 countries around the world in addition to Italy, and in 2025 Mario reached a record number of 50 countries in which he has performed since the beginning of his career.
Blending jazz, soul, and pop into a refined signature, Biondi now looks ahead to 2026, when he will tour Europe celebrating the 20th anniversary of “This Is What You Are”.
Mario Biondi, born in Catania, first gained international attention in 2006 with the radio hit “This Is What You Are,” showcasing his unmistakable warm, velvety baritone and drawing comparisons to legends like Barry White and Isaac Hayes. The track’s success on BBC Radio paved the way for his debut album Handful of Soul, blending soul, jazz, and R&B.
He followed with acclaimed releases including I Love You More, If—featuring a song written for him by Burt Bacharach—and Sun (2013), recorded with artists such as Chaka Khan and Al Jarreau, and celebrated with a landmark concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Over the years, Biondi has continued to evolve through projects spanning soul, jazz, and Brazilian influences. In 2025, he marked 20 years of Handful of Soul with a star-studded reimagining of “This Is What You Are (20th Anniversary),” reaffirming his place on the international soul-jazz stage.