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Italian-born/raised now living in the United Kingdom, Lupa (a.k.a. Antima Abbamonte) is a leading proponent of left-field pop (melodic psychedelica), with a heavy jazz influence.
Lupa’s artistic career began at the age of three, when she studied piano and began modeling for the House of “Vogue Children” in Milan. She continued with the studies of the Dramatic Arts in Italy, training with popular and controversial theatrical duo Franca Rame & Dario Fo', and in the UK where she obtained acting medals with Honours through the London Academy Of Music & Dramatic Arts (LAMDA). In 1994 Lupa translated, adapted and performed the acclaimed Italian ‘One Woman Show’ at the Carsholton Theatre in London, an 80 mins-2 acts political farce written by Franca Rame and Dario Fo'.
Lupa’s musical calling came in 1996 when, during a trip to Los Angeles, at a party held in West Hollywood, she met Italo-American musicians Jules Buccieri and Chris Mancini (son of Henry Mancini), who where to become her friends and musical mentors, and British writer Dick Hebdige. Since then, Lupa has worked with numerous major European musicians, including Bryan Corbett (UK), TJ Rehmi (UK/India), DJ Pippi (Ibiza Spain) Pavel Jakub Ryba (CZ), Soweto Kinch (UK), Edgar Macias Piquero (Venezuela), and The Birmingham Ronnie Scott’s Trio (UK). Lupa’s 2005 debut album, House of Blue, is a collection of recordings of original compositions, including her imaginative re-work of Goodbye Porkpie Hat (Mingus/Mitchell)and Brucia La Terra (Rota/Rinaldi - the love theme from the Godfather, sung in Sicilian - ).
Lupa is currently in the process of writing new music and producing her next album, while performing throughout the UK/Europe including the popular Birmingham Symphony Hall and the stylish London Jazz venue Pizza On The Park. Lupa’s 2010-11 tour with her quartet will be her first tour of the U.S.
House Of Blue,her debut album, crosses language and genre. A woozy dreamscape, conjured by lush meshes of electronic sound, contrasts with Lupa’s pure voice…The glittering setting can’t altogether disguise the fact that Lupa’s desperate love songs – always treading the thin line between tenderness and torment – spring directly from the torch song tradition. She’s an accomplished actor and singer too, permanently on the brink yet never sacrificing control. Her breathy sensitivity and impressive scat singing proclaim a natural jazz singer. --Mike Butler, Metro – Metro Life / Jazz, 2007
Roger Trapp 'Jazz & Blues' THE FIVE BEST GIGS (n.4 Lupa) - The Independent Feb 2006
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