Mauro Durante (violinist, percussionist and composer) is a visionary inheritor of the folk roots of his native Salento, in Italy's Puglia region. He leads the internationally acclaimed and award-winning Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino (founded in 1975 by Durante's family), playing in all major world music festivals. Durante is considered as a key figure in reinventing pizzica music for today, making "Taranta" the most vibrant and relevant form of Italian roots music. His recent partnership with English guitarist and producer Justin Adams has been praised by international critics, with tours throughout Europe, North America and Oceania. Mauro Durante toured the world for many years with Ludovico Einaudi, and has collaborated with Piers Faccini, Ibrahim Maalouf, Ballake Sissoko, Jovanotti, Stewart Copeland, Sam Lee, Accordone, Enzo Avitabile, Nickodemus, Red Baraat, bringing a contemporary edge along with his deep feel for tradition.