The Italian music band "Usi & Costumi" was founded in 1976 in Mergo, a small village in the Marche region of Italy. The group initially consisted of Simone Cola, who would go on to become the band's leader, as well as Augusto Loccioni on the accordion, Euro Bravetti on the mandolin, Antonio Pompili as the lead vocalist, Igino Barbaresi on the electric guitar, Maurizio Loccioni on the lead guitar, Adriano Barbaresi on the bass guitar, and Sauro Montecchiani on the drums. They began their musical journey by playing traditional Italian folk music and quickly gained recognition by performing in various venues throughout the Marche region.

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After a year, the band expanded their reach and started playing all over Italy. This marked a turning point for "Usi & Costumi" as they decided to introduce new songs inspired by Italian pop music and welcomed two new members into the band: Ovidio Urbani on the alto saxophone and Roberto Rossi on the tenor saxophone. With their enhanced musical repertoire and the addition of these talented musicians, the band honed their skills and prepared themselves for greater success throughout Italy. They had the opportunity to perform at notable venues, including a memorable gig at the Hilton Hotel in Rome as the support band for the renowned Italian singer Peppino di Capri, as well as a captivating concert at the Pergolesi Theater in Jesi.

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In 1980, "Usi & Costumi" entered a recording studio for the first time to produce a tape featuring their best songs. Later that same year, during a concert in the small village of Cupramontana, the band was approached by Mr. Italo Servadio, an Italian expatriate residing in Germany and the owner of a famous hotel in northern Germany. This encounter opened up new opportunities for the band, leading them to travel to Northern Germany, specifically the Schleswig Holstein area, every summer to perform at various tourist destinations. They entertained audiences in cities such as Lübeck, Heiligenhafen, Travemünde, Neustadt, Eutin, Burg, Timmendorfer, Hamburg, and more.

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Despite more than 35 years having passed since their first tour in Germany, the passion and energy of "Usi & Costumi" remain unwavering. Over the years, the band has undergone changes in its lineup, and the current formation consists of:

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Simone Cola: Vocals

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Olga Barej: Vocals

 

Fabio Morbidelli: Piano and Keyboards

 

Stefano Morbidelli: Bass

 

Max Alessandrini: Saxophone

 

Sauro Montecchiani: Drums

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