Roy Paci

Roy Paci & Aretuska are a pop/world music/jam band based in Italy who over their years of work became a favorite on both the European festival circuit and world music charts alike. Roy Paci got his first bugle at age 13 and began playing with regionally known groups like Hot Jazz Orchestra of Augusta and the New Royal Big Band almost immediately. In his early teens he gained touring experience playing in some of Italy's most famous jazz clubs as he transitioned from big-band work to playing with quartets and quintets. Paci moved to South America in 1990, playing with important big bands and pop artists in Argentina. Having gained important experience playing a variety of South American styles, Paci moved back to Italy. In addition to forming his award-winning group Rosariosa Acme Project, he performed a recorded with a variety of Italy's most influential pop artists, including Mau Mau. Over the course of the next decade Paci would go on to collaborate with internationally known artists like Zap Mama, Manu Chao, Trilok Gurtu, and more. In 1998 Paci founded the independent label Etnagigante with the aim of promoting emerging Sicilian musical acts. His band Aretuska released their debut disc, Baciamo, in 2002, followed a year later by Tuttapposto. The ten-piece group released their third record, Parola d'Onore, followed two years later by SuoNoGlobal. Their 2007 release landed a consistent spot on World Music Charts Europe's Top 20 throughout the year of its release. Album single "Toda Joia Beleza," featuring longtime friend Manu Chao, earned the band significant pop notoriety and a busy touring schedule throughout 2007 and into 2008. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez, Rovi