Roberto Diana (born 21 February 1983) is an Italian musician, guitarist, composer, producer and session man.

Biography

He was born in

Luras Luras ( sc, Lùras, Gallurese: ''Lùris'') is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Sassari in the Italian region Sardinia, located about north of Cagliari and about west of Olbia. Luras borders the following municipalities: Arzachen ...

Sardinia Sardinia ( ; it, Sardegna, label=Italian, Corsican and Tabarchino ; sc, Sardigna , sdc, Sardhigna; french: Sardaigne; sdn, Saldigna; ca, Sardenya, label=Algherese and Catalan) is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after ...

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...

. He started to play guitar at the age of 14 and immediately began to go on tour with some local bands. He graduated at Conservatorio "Luigi Canepa" in Sassari, then he attended workshops of jazz guitar by

Paolo Fresu Paolo Fresu ( sc, Pàulu; born 10 February 1961) is an Italian jazz trumpet and flugelhorn player, as well as a composer and arranger of music. Career Born in Berchidda, Sardinia, he picked up the trumpet at the age of 11, and played in the ban ...

at Nuoro Jazz. In 2003 he moved to Milan, where in 2007 he graduated in MCR (Master chitarra rock) with Donato Begotti at the "Accademia del Suono". Live Bergamo

Solo career

In 2010 he started to work to his first album "Raighes vol 1". In March 2013 the album was nominated at 12th Independent Music Awards category Instrumental. This is the first part of two albums. At the end of 2011, about this first album, was released a preview in smaller version, "Rough Tapes". This first production receives an immediate success from critics. In June 2012 comes out the final version of Vol 1 and Roberto Diana leaves for a European Tour. He plays in different country: Luxembourg, Scotland, Germany, UK and Italy. In 2015 he release a live music film DVD unique of his genre. Filmed under a 4000yrs old Oleaster tree in uras In 2016 his instrumental EP Live at

Whisky a Go Go The Whisky a Go Go (informally nicknamed "the Whisky") is a historic nightclub in West Hollywood, California, United States. It is located at 8901 Sunset Boulevard on the Sunset Strip, corner North Clark Street, opposite North San Vicente Boul ...

was nominated at The 15th Independent Music Awards in the category Best Instrumental EP. March 2017 Release the awaited "Raighes Vol 2" rated with 5 stars from Rock & Reel UK and acclaimed by the critics. The album has been accepted at the first ballots at the 60th

Grammy Awards The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pres ...

America

He began working with several American artists such as

Hussain Jiffry Hussain Jiffry is a Sri Lankan born American bassist who performed on Herb Alpert’s album ‘’ Steppin’ Out’’, which won Best Pop Instrumental Album Award at the 56th Grammy Awards The 56th Annual Grammy Awards presentation was held ...

, Will T. Massey,

Steve Lukather Steven Lee Lukather (born October 21, 1957) is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, arranger and record producer, best known as the sole continuous founding member of the rock band Toto. His reputation as a skilled guitarist led to a stea ...

Tony Levin Anthony Frederick Levin (born June 6, 1946) is an American musician and composer, specializing in electric bass, Chapman Stick and upright bass. He also sings and plays synthesizer. Levin is best known for his work with King Crimson (since 198 ...

Vinnie Colaiuta Vincent Peter Colaiuta (born February 5, 1956) is an American drummer who has worked as a session musician in many genres. He was inducted into the ''Modern Drummer'' Hall of Fame in 1996 and the ''Classic Drummer'' Hall of Fame in 2014. Colai ...

Frank Gambale Frank Gambale (; born 22 December 1958) is an Australian jazz fusion guitarist. He has released twenty albums over a period of three decades, and is known for his use of the sweep picking and economy picking techniques. Recording career Solo ...

Dean Parks Weldon Dean Parks (born December 6, 1946) is an American session guitarist and record producer from Fort Worth, Texas. Albums Parks was member of the North Texas State One O'clock Lab Band before moving to Los Angeles to work with Sonny and Cher ...

Brian Ray Brian Thomas Ray (born January 4, 1955) is an American session musician, guitarist, bassist, singer–songwriter, and musical director. He is best known for his work as a bass, rhythm, and lead guitarist with Paul McCartney's touring band, ...

JP Cervoni JP may refer to: Arts and media * ''JP'' (album), 2001, by American singer Jesse Powell * ''Jp'' (magazine), an American Jeep magazine * ''Jönköpings-Posten'', a Swedish newspaper * Judas Priest, an English heavy metal band * ''Jurassic Park ...

, Simon Phillips, James Raymond,

Rachel Z Rachel Carmel Hakim ( née Nicolazzo), better known as Rachel Z, is a jazz and rock pianist and keyboardist. She has recorded 10 solo albums as a jazz musician. Her musical style, especially her improvisation, has been described as adjacent to H ...

, Richard Hunter,

Mike Slo-Mo Brenner Mike may refer to: Animals * Mike (cat), cat and guardian of the British Museum * Mike the Headless Chicken, chicken that lived for 18 months after his head had been cut off * Mike (chimpanzee), a chimpanzee featured in several books and document ...

, Chris Cacavas, as a sound engineer, guitarist and producer for various albums. In 2009 he went to Los Angeles to play at

NAMM show The NAMM Show is an annual event in the United States that is organized by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), who describe it as "the industry’s largest stage, uniting the global music, sound and entertainment technology commun ...

, one of the most important music fair of the world. In that occasion he presented his signature guitar. From January until March 2014 he toured his solo album "Raighes Vol 1" all over California closing the tour March 15 at the

where he record the Live album released in May 2015. Roberto often goes on tour in the United States.

Awards and nominations

Independent Music Awards

, - , rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;", 2019 , rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;", "The Forth Hour" , Best Instrumental Song , , - , rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;", 2016 , rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;", "Live at The Whisky a Go Go" , Best Instrumental EP , , - , rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;", 2013 , rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;", "Raighes Vol 1" , Best Instrumental Album ,

Global Music Awards - Silver Medal

, - , rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;", 2018 , rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;", "The Fourth Hour" , Instrumental ,

The signature guitar

In 2009 the lutherie MN Guitar made for him the acoustic guitar "Twilight 001/09" that accompanying him in his tour around the world.

Lowlands

In 2008 he joined the roots rock band

Lowlands Upland and lowland are conditional descriptions of a plain based on elevation above sea level. In studies of the ecology of freshwater rivers, habitats are classified as upland or lowland. Definitions Upland and lowland are portions of p ...

and, to date, has recorded three albums with them and has toured with them. He co-produced all three albums with bandleader Edward Abbiati and played

Weissenborn Weissenborn or H. Weissenborn is a brand of lap slide guitar manufactured by Hermann Weissenborn in Los Angeles in the 1920s and 1930s. These instruments are now highly sought after, and form the base for most non-resonator acoustic lap steel ...

lap steel The lap steel guitar, also known as a Hawaiian guitar, is a type of steel guitar without pedals that is typically played with the instrument in a horizontal position across the performer's lap. Unlike the usual manner of playing a traditional ac ...

, electric, acoustic and

slide guitar Slide guitar is a technique for playing the guitar that is often used in blues music. It involves playing a guitar while holding a hard object (a slide) against the strings, creating the opportunity for glissando effects and deep vibratos tha ...

. ''Gypsy Child'' (2010), which featured duets with Amanda Shires and Tim Rogers (

You Am I You Am I are an Australian alternative rock band, fronted by its lead singer-songwriter and guitarist, Tim Rogers. They formed in December 1989 and are the first Australian band to have released three successive albums that have each debuted ...

) and was mixed by Chris Cacavas. Three EPs – ''EP Vol. 1'' (2009) and two download only live recordings – ''Radio & Kitchen Sessions'' (2010) and ''Live in Newport''(2011). In 2011 he played on and co-produced with Edward Abbiati the album ''Fathers & Sons'' for Scottish folk duo Donald and Jen MacNeill and played on the tour. Roberto co-produced with Abbiati the album (as Lowlands and Friends) a

Woody Guthrie Woodrow Wilson Guthrie (; July 14, 1912 – October 3, 1967) was an American singer-songwriter, one of the most significant figures in American folk music. His work focused on themes of American socialism and anti-fascism. He has inspired ...

tribute album, '' Better World Coming''. With Lowlands have toured extensively, both in Italy and abroad, playing clubs, small theatres and festivals (as well as a few jails and one church). Highlights include various headline gigs at the

Windmill A windmill is a structure that converts wind power into rotational energy using vanes called windmill sail, sails or blades, specifically to mill (grinding), mill grain (gristmills), but the term is also extended to windpumps, wind turbines, and ...

Brixton Brixton is a district in south London, part of the London Borough of Lambeth, England. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London. Brixton experienced a rapid rise in population during the 19th ce ...

, London, Whelans, Dublin and The Roisin Dubh,

Galway Galway ( ; ga, Gaillimh, ) is a City status in Ireland, city in the West Region, Ireland, West of Ireland, in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Connacht, which is the county town of County Galway. It lies on the River Corrib between Lo ...

in Ireland and Spaziomusica in

Pavia Pavia (, , , ; la, Ticinum; Medieval Latin: ) is a town and comune of south-western Lombardy in northern Italy, south of Milan on the lower Ticino river near its confluence with the Po. It has a population of c. 73,086. The city was the capit ...

, Italy.

Endorsements

He works with some important musical brands such as

Seymour Duncan Seymour Duncan is an American company best known for manufacturing guitar and bass pickups. They also manufacture effects pedals which are designed and assembled in America. Guitarist and luthier Seymour W. Duncan and Cathy Carter Duncan foun ...

, Elixir strings, Reference Laboratory cables, Source audio and MN guitar. As demonstrator of this brands, he performs at all major music fairs:

Los Angeles, MusicMesse

Frankfurt Frankfurt, officially Frankfurt am Main (; Hessian: , "Frank ford on the Main"), is the most populous city in the German state of Hesse. Its 791,000 inhabitants as of 2022 make it the fifth-most populous city in Germany. Located on its na ...

, SHG Milan, Acoustic Guitar International Meeting of Sarzana and ADGPA Convention.

Other work

In 2007, he founded, with Marco Pinna, the acoustic duo Ses Cordas (which means six strings in the Sardinian language). This acoustic duo is focused on Mediterranean folk music. In 2008, he released, with the duo, the album ''Mediterranean Journey''. In 2008 he recorded, co-produced, and played on the album ''Online'' by Simone Borghi with the collaboration of Toto's members

and Simon Phillips, guitarists

, and

(from

Paul McCartney Sir James Paul McCartney (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer, songwriter and musician who gained worldwide fame with the Beatles, for whom he played bass guitar and shared primary songwriting and lead vocal duties with John Lennon. One ...

’s band), and jazz pianist from New York City,

. The single "Every Night Together" (2009), performed with Italian singer

Linda Valori Linda Valori (born 3 September 1978 in San Benedetto del Tronto, Province of Ascoli Piceno) is an Italian singer. In 2004, she won third place at the Sanremo festival, with the song "''Aria, sole, terra e mare''", for which she composed the ly ...

, received three nominations at the

in 2010. Borghi himself received a nominations as "best new artist" and "best male pop vocal" with the song "Endless Trip" from his new album. In 2011, he took part in the realization and production of the album ''Fathers & Sons'' for the Scottish duo Donald and Jen MacNeil.

Discography

Solo

* ''Raighes Vol 1 Rough Tapes'' – Roberto Diana (2011) * ''Raighes Vol 1'' – Roberto Diana (2012) * ''Deus ti Salvet Maria'' – Roberto Diana (Raighes Factory) (2014) * ''Live at The Whisky a Go Go'' – Roberto Diana (Raighes Factory) (2015) * ''Timeline'' – Donald MacNeill & Roberto Diana (Standing Stone/Raighes Factory) (2016) * ''Raighes Vol 2'' – Roberto Diana (Raighes Factory/I.R.D.) (2017) * ''The Fourth Hour'' – Roberto Diana & Tri Nguyen (Raighes Factory) (2018) * ''Dust on The Road'' – Roberto Diana & bzur (Raighes Factory) (2019) * ''Ispiriendi'' – Roberto Diana (Raighes Factory) (2019) * ''Crossings'' – Roberto Diana & Elgafar (Raighes Factory) (2020)

Albums

* ''The last call'' : Lowlands (Gypsy Child/IRD) (2008) * ''Mediterranean journey'' – Ses Cordas (Sound Mama/

CDBaby CD Baby, Inc. is an online distributor of independent music. The company was described as an "anti-label" by its parent company's Chief Operating Officer Tracy Maddux. The CD Baby music store was shut down in March 2020 with a statement that "C ...

) (2008) * ''On line'' – Simone Borghi (2008) * ''Ep vol 1'' – Lowlands (Gypsy Child/IRD) (2009) * ''Gypsy child'' – Lowlands (Gypsy Child/IRD) (2010) * ''Fathers and Sons'' – Donald and Jen Macneil (Route 61) (2011) * ''The Woody EP'' – Lowlands (Gypsy Child) (2012) * ''Better world coming'' – Lowlands (Gypsy Child/IRD) (2012) * ''Beyond'' – Lowlands (Stovepony Records/Cargo/IRD) (2012) * ''London Town'' – Anna MacDonald (Stovepony) (2013) * ''Love Etc'' – Lowlands (Harbour Song/Cargo/IRD) (2014) * ''News from the Moon'' – Ivan Battistella (Resisto) (2016) * ''Townes Van Zandt's Last Set '' – Lowlands and friends (Route 61 / Harbour Song) (2016) * ''Fram'' – Tommy Berre & Roberto Diana (2AT/Raighes Factory) (2018) * ''Home Away from Home'' – Denis Turbide & Roberto Diana (Raighes Factory) (2019) * ''Cold Winter Night'' – The Field Tapes & Roberto Diana (The Sonder House / Raighes Factory) (2019)

Official bootleg

* ''A Quiet Night'' – Roberto Diana (2011) * ''Lovers & Thieves'' – Lowlands (2011) * ''Radio & Kitchen Sessions – Acoustic Tour 2010'' – Lowlands (2010)

Singles

* ''Every Night Together'' – Simone Borghi (2009) * ''It Makes No Sense'' – Simone Borghi (2010) * ''Pay the Price'' – Ivan Battistella (2010) * ''Walking Down The Street'' – Lowlands (2010)

Compilations

* ''For You 2'' – Lowlands (Route 61) (2010) * ''Traffic light project'' – Roberto Diana (2009)

References

External links

Official websiteA recent Roberto Diana interview
{{DEFAULTSORT:Diana, Roberto 1983 births Living people Italian male guitarists Italian rock guitarists Lead guitarists 21st-century guitarists 21st-century Italian male musicians