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Always on the look out for new ideas and having the good fortune to meet great musicians like Carlos Santana, inspired Roo: first a tribute to Santana, a group called Esperando with whom he had number of concerts all over Europe and two new recordings: one a revival of Jingo-lo-ba (already on Santana's debut album) and distributed to all Italian radio stations, then the CD "To You", 13 songs entirely dedicated to Santana's music. The second project was to bring together both two styles of music and passions: blues and rock latino. Caffè Espresso blues latino made in Italy, together with the CD bearing the same name, they earn the prize SIAE 2004 for the best Italian musical project of the year. In the meantime with the collaboration of Sabrina Carelli, gymnast, choreographer and leader of Tuksa, a group of ten professional gymnasts, Roo realizes a new project and forms the company "Caffè Espresso music and dance" and a musical "The Last Call" where movement and music come together in one narrative of stories and emotions.
Roo has collaborated with many American artists on tour in Europe with "Roo Band" and they also represented the Italian music in Russia with a concert in Novji Urengoi, in front of an audience of 20.000 people. After this experience with Italian music, Roo decided to pay a tribute to the music of Lucio Battisti.
Roo decided to mix jazz style with contemporary sound and electronic sound - "cool jazz", a refined music and, at the same time, revivals of famous and original music, much appreciated in the cool clubs and café's in Milan.
Roo loves experimenting new styles but without forgetting for one moment that melody is fundamental.
Free-lance guitarist: his style as guitarist goes from the blues of Johnny Winter to T_Bone Walker, from Santana to Hendrix for Rock and George Benson for Jazz, always remembering his main objective, the development of melody. As a free-lance guitarist he has played with well known artists like: Luther Allison, Barbara Carr, Ronnie Jones, Leona Laviscount, Walter Liniger, Arthur Miles, Buddy Miles, Cheryl Nickerson, Jessie Owens, Nathaniel Peterson, Teddy Riley, Oliver Sain, Jimmy Witherspoon, Janice Harrington, Lillian Bouttè, Earl Conway, Walter "Wolfman" Washington and with Italian artist such as: Aida Cooper, Paolo Rossi, Fabio Treves. Roo has also had the opportunity to participate in Jam session with many musicians like: Romano Mussolini, Slash, Jeff Healey, Carlos Santana, Alex Britti, Bernardo Lanzetti, Sister Sledge, Sugar Blue. "if I have forgotten to mention someone they remain however on my list of unforgettable moments".
Composer: Roberto Testini obtained a diploma for composer of jazz orchestra at CDM in Milan with Maestro Filippo Daccò. Author of original pieces included in his three CDs recorded under his name. Roo continues to compose music, both instrumental and song under commission he has also produced music for other group and soloist, soundtracks for documentaries, films, theatres, jingles and for internet sites. Teacher: As well as giving private lessons, Roberto Testini teaches at the school of rock in San Donato Milanese; the courses involve teaching both techniques and theory. Roo also holds seminars on the history of blues, the development of techniques used with blues and he organizes workshop with American gospel artists.
TV presenter: with the many experiences that a showman can and must have to gain confidence with the audience, stage and himself, is to present a TV programme. Roo wrote and produced, in collaboration with Dario Barezzi, a programme entirely dedicated to blues and underground; "NON BLUES ULTRA". It was on TELE+3 channel and was successful and appreciated for its authenticity and the same time for its competence. "Professionals, technicians, cameramen, make-up artists and producers taught me more than I could have imagined. A unique experience would not hesitate to accept, given the opportunity".
Actor: As well as participating in casting for TV spots, Roberto Testini took part in a sit-com to promote an MAECI VITA INSURANCE and also in "El Sùr Ernest" a TV programme produced by Dario Barezzi Production, in collaboration with Fabio Treves and Enzo Iannacci.
Artistic director: from 1992-2002 Roberto Testini was artistic director of the Blues House in Milan, the first blues club in Italy. He organized blues concerts, country music and Italian folk music and Ska. All of the most important Italian and international musicians were invited to the Blues House and new talents were discovered there, many of whom we hear their underground music today.
Organizer: Roberto Testini organizes concerts, shows, private parties, conventions and festivals through his own agency, ROOSTAR MANAGEMENT, which was founded to promote his own music besides other projects connected to the message to which Roo is spokesman-good quality music.
