⬇️ ALBERT CASTIGLIA ⬇️
DISCOGRAPHY (17CD)
Albert Castiglia (born August 12, 1969) is an American blues
singer, songwriter and guitarist. Castiglia has variously worked
alongside Junior Wells, Sandra Hall, Aron Burton, Pinetop Perkins,
Melvin Taylor, Sugar Blue, Phil Guy, Ronnie Earl, Billy Boy Arnold,
Ronnie Baker Brooks, John Primer, Lurrie Bell, Jerry Portnoy, Larry
McCray, Eddy Clearwater and Otis Clay.
AllMusic noted that "Castiglia combines hardcore blues with soul,
rock, and country flavors for a sound that will appeal to rockers
and blues purists alike." His vocal style has been compared to that
of Van Morrison.
Castiglia (pronounced "ka-steel-ya") was born in New York City,
United States, to a Cuban mother and an Italian father. He moved
with his family to Miami, Florida, when he was five years old and
commenced learning the guitar seven years later.
Castiglia joined the Miami Blues Authority in 1990 and was named
the 'best blues guitarist in Miami' by the Miami New Times in 1997.
Following a college education, Castiglia worked for four years for
the state of Florida as a social services investigator. Discovered
singing by Junior Wells in 1996, he joined his touring band and
worked as Wells' lead guitarist until the latter's death in 1998. By
now living in Chicago, Illinois, Castiglia found work with Sandra
Hall and toured with himself until the end of the century. In 2002,
Castiglia joined David Shelley in the Alligator Alley Allstars, a
"blues and roots super group" at Alligator Alley, a "Native Florida"
restaurant and live music venue (named for the nearby swamp
highway).
His first solo work, Burn, was self-released in 2004, followed in
2006 with The Bittersweet Sessions, where he collaborated with
Graham Wood Drout. The New Jersey–based Blues Leaf Records then
issued Castiglia's 2006 album, A Stone's Throw. It contained his
versions of the Junior Wells song, "Hoodoo Man Blues" and The
Shadows' "The Rise and Fall of Flingle Bunt". In April 2008, These
Are the Days was released, which included Castiglia's tribute to his
former employer Junior Wells called "Godfather of the Blues", as
well as cover versions of Bob Dylan's "Catfish", Nappy Brown's
"Night Time Is the Right Time", Fenton Robinson's "Somebody Loan Me
a Dime", and Little Willie John's track "Need Your Love So Bad".
These Are the Days saw Castiglia get a nomination for a Blues Music
Award for his self-penned song, "Bad Year Blues." He continued to
tour and supported both ZZ Top and Elvin Bishop.
Keepin On (2010), recorded in Dover, New Jersey, featured five
tracks written by Castiglia, plus covers of songs by John Lee Hooker
("Goin' Upstairs"), Mack Rice ("Cadillac Assembly Line"), T-Bone
Walker ("My Baby is Now On My Mind"), Peter Green (Could Not Ask for
More"), Robert Nighthawk ("Murderin' Blues") and Bob Dylan ("Till I
Fell In Love With You"). Living the Dream (2012), included
contributions on Hammond B3 organ and piano from John Ginty. Roots
Music Report bestowed him with the Top Blues Album Award for 2011
and 2012. In December 2013, Castiglia performed at the Bradenton
Blues Festival.
In March 2014, Castiglia signed a recording contract with Ruf
Records. His seventh album in all and his first on Ruf Records was
Solid Ground, which was recorded in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. It
contained the Lefty Dizz-penned track "Bad Avenue", Castiglia's
version of the blues standard, "Goin' Down Slow", and a cover of the
Rolling Stones, "Sway". Solid Ground peaked at number 10 in the US
Billboard Top Blues Albums chart.
In 2015, Castiglia made a guest appearance on John Ginty's albums,
Bad News Travels and the subsequent Bad News Travels (Live).
In May 2020, Castiglia won a Blues Music Award in the 'Blues Rock
Album of the Year' category for his album, Masterpiece. In 2023, he
won two Blues Music Awards as 'Blues Rock Artist of the Year' and
'Blues Rock Album of the Year' for I Got Love.