Alla Boara: Dynamic Italian Folk Music

Experience incredible modern arrangements of nearly extinct Italian folk songs, kept alive by Alla Boara.

After performing at Alphabet City in November 2022 in their trio configuration, Alla Boara returns with their full group in all its glory– six talented musicians bringing recognition and new life to Italy’s diverse history of regional folk music. The six piece is comprised of drummer and composer Anthony Taddeo, vocalist Amanda Powell, guitarist Dan Bruce, trumpeter Tommy Lehman, bassist Ian Kinnaman, and accordionist and keyboardist Clay Colley. Their renditions of near-extinct folk songs are variously surprising, playful, mournful, tender, and bewitching. Alla Boara’s dynamic work aims to inspire audiences of all ethnic heritages to treasure their musical roots and consider historical songs’ contemporary cultural relevance. 

About the Artists:

Anthony Taddeo (percussion), endorsed by “Out of the Drawer Percussion” and “Byrne Cymbals” as a performing artist, is a percussionist, composer, and performer residing in Cleveland, Ohio. He has studied with world-renowned percussionist Jamey Haddad and at The New School’s School for Jazz and holds an MFA in composition from Youngstown State University. Featured on over 30 albums, Taddeo has toured North America and Europe at festivals such as Bern Jazz Festival in Switzerland, Ciclo 1906 Jazz Fest in Spain, and Cleveland’s Tri-C Jazz Festival. His film score for Making Montgomery Clift recently debuted at the LA Film Festival. Currently, Taddeo leads and composes for his groups AlbaTrio and Alla Boara. 

Amanda Powell (vocals) sings soprano and has been praised as “the star of the evening” (Seen and Heard International, UK) and “charismatic and theatrically arresting” (San Francisco Chronicle). A versatile musician, she has toured internationally as a soloist in opera, oratorio, crossover-folk, and jazz. Her notable performances with GRAMMY-winning baroque orchestra Apollo’s Fire, include Sugarloaf Mountain, Oh Jerusalem, and L’Orfeo. A storyteller at heart, Amanda connects with her audiences through her unique style of invitation and expression. She is a fluent improvisor and has collaborated and studied with artists including Bobby McFerrin and Sheila Jordan. Amanda teaches voice and improvisation at Cleveland State University and is the Community Arts Liaison for the Cultural Arts Center at Disciples Church.

Ian Kinnaman (bass) is a bassist from Damascus Maryland who recently moved to Cleveland after completing his BM in music education from Youngstown State University. While pursuing his studies he had the opportunity to study with Theron Brown and bassist and composer Dave Morgan. He regularly performs with the First Class Big Band, Pantropix, and his own project IKQ. Ian’s bass can be heard in Chloe x Halle’s performance of “America the Beautiful” for Superbowl LIII. He currently teaches privately and at the College of Wooster.

Tommy Lehman (trumpet) is from Akron, Ohio and is a trumpeter, vocalist and producer who has been playing professionally in the Northeast Ohio music scene for several years. Leader of his own projects and sideman for several artists, Tommy has played along artists such as: Nathan-Paul and The Admirables, Chris Coles’ Nine Lives Project, AlbaTrio, Dan Wilson, Theron Brown, Bobby Selvaggio, Peachcurls, and others. Tommy has studied at Cleveland’s Tri-C renowned jazz studies program and the Hartt School of Music in West Hartford, Connecticut, where he worked with Freddie Hendrix, Steve Davis, Nat Reeves, and Javon Jackson until graduating in 2018. In November of 2021, Lehman released his first full length album. Tommy is currently attending Cleveland State University.

Clay Colley (accordion, keyboard), holds a bachelor’s degree in piano performance and a master’s degree in jazz studies from the Dana School of Music. From his beginnings in a small church band in Florida at the age of twelve, he has spent most of his career playing with numerous rock and jazz groups, including JD Eicher, the Vindys, the Labra Brothers, Hoss & the Juggernauts, and his own project, Black Wolf & the Thief. Clay currently makes his living teaching a piano studio of over 50 students, holding the music director role at Poland United Methodist Church and playing shows every weekend.

Dan Bruce (guitar) has developed a unique and impressive musical voice on the guitar by embracing the influence of his heroes from the jazz tradition and retaining his own musical personality. Now a resident of Cleveland, Ohio after spending a decade as an important member of Chicago’s vibrant jazz scene, he is active throughout the United States as a performer, recording artist, composer and educator. Bruce has performed on more than forty albums as a sideman and has released four albums as a leader. In 2020 Dan received an Individual Excellence Award in Music Composition from the Ohio Arts Council.

About Your Visit: 

The in-house restaurant 40 North is open for dinner from 5-9pm. Please visit Open Table or call 412-435-1111 to make a reservation.