Graziano Uliani, founder and producer

Since 1988 the Porretta Soul Festival, a Tribute to Otis Redding has become the most prestigious European event entirely dedicated to rhythm & blues and soul music: and particularly to the Memphis Sound, the music school of the great Otis Redding, to whom the festival is dedicated. Over the past 24 years the biggest names in soul have come to Porretta, many of them especially for the Festival on their first trip to Europe; others, authentic legends, were discovered in unknown spots in the Deep South of U.S.A. and introduced to the international public and press who spoke of the “miracle” of Porretta as the musical event of the year. . Rufus Thomas, Sam Moore (from Sam & Dave) , Booker T. & The MGs, The Memphis Horns, Percy Sledge, Solomon Burke, Irma Thomas, Clarence Carter, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Bettye LaVette, Joe Simon, Mavis Staples, Millie Jackson, The Bar Kays, Ann Peebles, Otis Clay, Isaac Hayes, Wilson Pickett, Lavern Baker, James Carr, Eddie Hinton,Les McCann, Dan Penn, Billy Preston: these are just a few of the names which have made Sweet Soul Music, Porretta Soul Festival an absolute reference point for lovers of the music throughout Europe. Its organizers have had to consider the geography of black music in planning the festival, taking into consideration the calendar of other important musical events. Porretta is now part of the encyclopedias and official biographies of soul’s great protagonists. The town has the Rufus Thomas Park and the Otis Redding Street!

2014
Muscle Shoals All Star Band (feat. David Hood, Jimmy Johnson), Denise LaSalle ,  Jimmy “Wet Willie” Hall, Carla “Kozmic Mama”  Russell,  Toni Green , Theo Huff,
Jerry  Jones, Chilly Bill Rankin , Chick Rodgers, Vaneese Thomas, Guitar Shorty, Frank Bey & Anthony Paule Band, Blues Therapy Band (Greece), Quincy Avenue Rhythm Band Denver, Groove City, Capital Strokes feat. Randy Roberts

2013
Bobby Rush, Mitty Collier, Latimore, David Hudson, Toni Green, Falisa Janaye, Charles Walker & The Dynamites, Osaka Monaurail (Giappone) , Brooklin Soul Stew (Svezia) , Charlie Wood, Bruce James & Bella Black, Sax Gordon’s International Soul Caravan.

2012 
The Bar-Kays, Otis Clay, Syl Johnson, The Bo-Keys, David Hudson, John Gary Williams, Robin McKelle, Sweethearts, Ben Cauley, The Norman Sisters, Chicago Children Choir,  Dance Foundation Company Chicago, Alexia.

2011
Swamp Dogg, Spencer Wiggins, Percy Wiggins, William Bell, sugar Pie DeSanto, Harvey Scales, Toni Green, Austin de Lone All Stars, Sax Gordon & Groove City, Chick Rodgers, Andrea Mingardi.

2010
LaVelle White, Fred Wesley & The New JB’s, Clay Hammond, Thelma Jones, The Green Brothers, Chick Rodgers, The Memphis all Star R&B Band, Charlie Wood, Sax Gordon, Bobby Manuel, McKinley Moore, The Sweethearts, Groove City, Rodney Ellis, Rare Groove Orchestra, Alexia, Groove City, Bruce James.

2009
Solomon Burke, Spencer Wiggins, Oscar Toney Jr.,J.Blackfoot,Percy Wiggins,Tony Green, Jesse Dee, Bobby Jhonson, Austin de Lone, James Thompson, The Diplomats,Vaneese Thomas, CIV, Irene Fornaciari...

2008
Chaka Khan, Joe Simon, Mable John,  Austin DeLone All Star Band, , Sugar Pie DeSanto, Henry Butler, Davell Crawford, Otis Redding III, Charlie Wood, Avenue D Boys Gospel Choir, Sweet Nectar, Lannie McMillan & Friends, Captain Mercier, MotownHead

2007
Blues Brothers Band, Booker T. & The MGs, Eddie Floyd, Betty Harris, Ellis Hooks & John Tiven, Jimmy McCracklin, Sir Mack Rice, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Tony Green.

2006
RadioSNJ Groove Machine Band, (Tribute To Wilson Pickett), South Soul Rhythm Section, Irene Fornaciari, Noi-Portal R& B Band, Irma Thomas & The Professionals, Bobby Purify, Charlie Wood, South Soul Rhythm Section, Special Guest Wayne Jackson of The Memphis Horns and Lannie McMillan, Howard Tate, Special Guest Wayne Jackson of The Memphis Horns and Lannie McMillan, South Soul Rhythm Section With Charlie Wood
“One Night In New Orleans”, The Neville Brothers, Davell Crawford & The Davell Crawford Movement, South Soul Rhythm Section, Distretto 51 & The Capric Horns With Greensleeves Gospel Choir.

2005
Isaac Hayes & The Movement, Booker T. & The MGs, Billy Preston, The Soul Survivors with Les McCann, Platinum Band, Cicero Blake, Nellie “Tiger” Travis, Andrea Mingardi & the Rossoblues Brothers Band, Foxy Ladies.

2004
Howard Tate with Austin DeLone Band, Millie Jackson, Clarence Carter, Dorothy Moore, Keisha Jackson. Eumir Deodato

2003
Solomon Burke, Tribute To Rufus Thomas with Carla, Vaneese & Marvell Thomas with The Memphis All Stars Band, Ellis Hooks, Charles Walker & Mo’Indigo, Jackie Johnson

2002
Syl Johnson, Ann Peebles, Carl Wheathersby, Trudy Lynn, Marva Wright, Bobby Johnson, The Sweethearts of Swing, The Michael Allen Band.

2001
Sam Moore, The Bar Kays, Ann Peebles & Don Bryant, Bettye Lavette, Clay Hammond, The Sweet Inspirations, The Memphis Horns, Santita Jackson, The Memphis All Star R&B Band.

2000
The Blues Brothers Band, Eddie Floyd, Maceo Parker, Defunkt, Little Jimmy King with The Memphis Soul Survivors, Fontella Bass & David Peaston

1999
Percy Sledge, Oscar Toney Jr., Jackie Johnson, The Duncan Sisters, The Sweet Inspirations, The Memphis All Stars with HI Rhythm Section, The Inspirational Voices Of Joy.

1998
Solomon Burke & The Soul's Alive Orchestra, Swamp Dogg, Bill Coday, Barbara Carr, J. Blackfoot, The Bar Kays, The Memphis All Star Band, Jackie Johnson, special guest Paolo Belli.

1997
Isaac Hayes & The Movement, Rufus Thomas, The Bar Keys, Mable John, J. Blackfoot, James Govan, Irma Thomas, Otis Clay, Jackie Johnson, The Memphis All Star Band, special guest Zucchero, Ligabue.

1996
The Sweet Inspirations, Syl Johnson, Mighty Sam McClain, James Govan, Davell Crawford, LaVern Baker, Myra Walker Singer, Ann Peebles, The memphis All Star Band, Fausto Leali, Andrea Mingardi, special guest Otis Redding III.

1995
Wilson Pickett, Otis Clay, Rufus Thomas, Veneese Thomas, shirley Brown, Ben Cauley, Vernon Garrett, David Hudson, James Govan, The Memphis All Star, special guest Giorgia, Peter Guralnick, David Porter

1994
Rufus Thomas, Dan Penn, Mavis Staples, William Bell, Preston Shannon, The Memphis Horns, special guest Giorgia e i Vorrei la Pelle Nera, Italian Bands.

1993
Rufus Thomas, Millie Jackson, David Hudson, Ollie Nightingale, Arletta Nightingale, James Govan, The Memphis All Star, special guest Zucchero and Italian Bands.

1992
James Carr, Ann Peebles, J. Blackfoot, The Memphis Horns with Floyd Newman, Teenie Hodges, Michael Allen, special guest Zucchero and Italian Bands, Fish Heads & Rice, Marie Ann Brandon.

1991
Rufus Thomas, J. Blackfoot (from The Soul Children), Carla Thomas, Ruby Wilson, Eddie Hinton, Michael Allen, The Memphis All Star R&B Band, Italian Bands.

1990
Sam Moore (From Sam & Dave), Solomon Burke, Billy Preston, Carla Thomas, Francesco Di Giacomo (Dal Banco del Mutuo Soccorso), special guest Marvell Thomas & Michael Toles, Italian Bands.

1989
Geno Washington & The ram Jam band, James Thompson & Arthur Miles, Larry Screams & The Saxophones, Ladri Di Biciclette, Distretto 51 & The Caprie'Horns, Claudio Di Nicola With The Body & Soul.

1988
Rufus Thomas, The Memphis Horns, Eddie Harrison, members of Radiants, special guest Zucchero e varie Band Italiane.