“The blues scene is still very male dominated but there’s a bunch of women doing great out there. As a woman I think you have to develop an arm or in order to not get crushed by the system that surrounds the music business. And it can also be frustrating cause  sometimes if I say something in a confident way guys would say that nervous, that I should act differently. But if a guy does the same thing it’s ok. I guess it happens in every male dominated areas. Luckily we’re not giving up!”

Gloria Turrini: Across the Blues

Gloria and the Doctors (Gloria Turrini, Simone Scifoni, and Riccardo Ferrini) are highly regarded figures within the Italian and international music scenes. Rooted in the Blues, their sound seamlessly blends traditional jazz, gospel, and funk. Fronted by Gloria Turrini, whose powerful, soulful alto voice and vibrant personality bring vintage sounds to life, the band delivers energetic, deeply moving live performances that range from sweet romantic ballads to hypnotic blues grooves. Each member boasts an impressive professional pedigree. Turrini has collaborated with renowned artists like Andy J Forest, Max Gazzè, and Jackie Allen. Pianist and multi-instrumentalist Simone Scifoni has been a staple of the European blues scene for over twenty years, collaborating with greats such as Corey Harris.

(Gloria Turrini /Photo by Bartosz Lorens)

Guitarist Riccardo Ferrini has built a strong following on both sides of the Atlantic through his distinctive style and collaborations with the Honey Island Swamp Band and Roberto Luti. In August 2023, the band released Dat Nola Trip (Brutture Moderne), a mature, 9-track album recorded in New Orleans featuring prominent guest musicians. They followed this in 2025 with Across the Blues (Bloos Records), a highly acclaimed, "back-to-basics" acoustic project celebrated by critics for its deep respect for traditional blues roots.

Interview by Michael Limnios

Gloria, your voice has a rare, deep timbre that brings to mind the great ladies of the blues. How did you first discover this genre of music while growing up in Italy?

As a kid I was always attracted to black music especially because my uncles listened to 1970’s soul and funk. Growing up i went through different phases, metal, 70’s rock, rap and r n’b. Then, when I started singing which was in my early thirties, I took a few singing lessons and my teacher told me that my voice reminded her of Bessie Smith and Big Mama Thornton. So I started listening to those amazing Queens and I was hooked.

Besides singing, you play drums and the washboard during your live performances. How did the need to integrate these rhythmic instruments into your performance come about?

I was interested in rhythm and groove, as a kid I remember I pretended to play drums with two flutes as sticks on my pillow, listening to the Eagles! Then about 8 years ago I decided to finally buy a snare to play as a duo with my piano player at the time. After a couple of years I bought a hi hat and eventually I bought my first drum kit. It took me a while to be “confident” on the drums cause I never studied it. Now I know I’m not a drummer but I know I can play certain rhythms and have fun!

As a woman in a musical genre that historically has often been male-dominated, have you ever faced prejudice in your career, or do you feel that the landscape has now permanently changed?

The blues scene is still very male dominated but there’s a bunch of women doing great out there. As a woman I think you have to develop an arm or in order to not get crushed by the system that surrounds the music business. And it can also be frustrating cause  sometimes if I say something in a confident way guys would say that nervous, that I should act differently. But if a guy does the same thing it’s ok. I guess it happens in every male dominated areas. Luckily we’re not giving up!

“The New Orleans sound is so unique that’s hard to explain. To me it’s more of a feeling, something untouchable but you it’s there. It’s vibrant, colourful and rich in sadness and oppression. But one more time, it’s a statement, never give up.” (Photo: Gloria and the Doctors are Gloria Turrini, Simone Scifoni, and Riccardo Ferrini)

What is it like to play the blues in Italy today? Is there a "vibrant" audience and a tight-knit community for this genre in your country?

There’s for sure a community and a network of clubs and festivals. But after the pandemic a lot has changed. I’m lucky cause I’m still  able to make a living with music but a lot of colleagues had to go back to a day job. Thankfully the community is still there but I think there’s not a new generation of blues fans coming up..

You represented Italy at top events like the International Blues Challenge in Memphis and the European Blues Challenge. What was the experience like bringing Italian blues back to its "homeland," the USA?

Man, those have been great experiences!!! At the IBC in Memphis we went as a Duo and made it to the semifinals which is not bad at all! I truly believe that music should not be a competition but those kind of events are definitely helping blues musicians to create a network, meet musicians from all over the world, hear so many different shades of blues! It also helps to be heard by people in the music business like booking agents and artistic directors. At the EBC we went as a trio and we brought Italy back on the podium, 2nd place! And it’s not rhetoric when I say that we met a great community made of blues fans, blues musicians and blues industry folks. I’m forever thankful to the Italian blues union and the Italian blues society for giving us these great opportunities!

The blues is a genre born and kept alive in live clubs. How much did you miss that direct, "sweaty" contact with the audience during the recent restrictions, and how does it feel to be fully back on stage now?

At the beginning of the pandemic I was stuck in New Orleans for almost 4 months and, besides being broke, I had a great time cause over there it wasn’t as strict as it was in Italy. I got back home in the summer of 2020 and I was able to work almost normally. But when in October we got the second lock down I went into a deep depression. All of a sudden I didn’t have a purpose, no reason to wake in the morning, not reason to get out of bed.  I really envy those people who took that time to get in shape, learn how to decoupage or whatever. I’m still fighting with depression but when  I’m on stage I’m alive. I’m so lucky to able to don what I love and make a living out of it!

“Then, when I started singing which was in my early thirties, I took a few singing lessons and my teacher told me that my voice reminded her of Bessie Smith and Big Mama Thornton. So I started listening to those amazing Queens and I was hooked.” (Gloria Turrini /Photo by Agnieszka Cieślik)

Your recent album "Across The Blues" was released by Bloos Records. What is the core message or story you wanted to tell through with your music?

The album across the blues came because we wanted to put out there something as a trio. It’s an album of covers that we’ve playing live for a couple of tours. We wanted something real, the same set up as when w e play those songs live. We chose the songs thinking about the feeling we get from them. I was sick with a bad cold when we recorded it but we did it anyway and I guess the core message is again never give up and tell it like it is.

Your previous album "Dat Nola Trip" was a tribute to New Orleans. What makes the New Orleans sound so special and appealing to you?

“Dat Nola Trip” came out of the blue. I was in New Orleans with Riccardo Ferrini (guitar player) and we had a bunch of gigs lined up. Than a friend offered us some free recording studio time. I had 3 songs already written and I wrote a few more while i was there and we did it. We were also very lucky cause we involved some of our friends in the making of the album. Andy J Forest played armonica, Roberto Luti played guitar, Robert Snow playd bass and Rosalynn Deroos played clarinet.

The album is not perfect but I love it more because of that. When we recorded it Riccardo and I have been playing togheter for just a few months, my drumming was not good, we did it in 2 afternoons. I love that, again, it’s real, it’s a picture of where and who we were at that time.

The New Orleans sound is so unique that’s hard to explain. To me it’s more of a feeling, something untouchable but you it’s there. It’s vibrant, colourful and rich in sadness and oppression. But one more time, it’s a statement, never give up.

When you write or select tracks, what comes first for you: the lyrics and the story they hide, or the emotion and the rhythm of the music?

When I write a song usually the lyrics come first. At times a melody would play in my head. When it happens I record little pieces on my phone and than forget about it and maybe a year later when I’m looking for ideas I open a file and there it is! But what’s important to me are the lyrics, even if I sing a cover.

If I don’t feel the lyrics it’s really hard for me to perform a song.

“I was interested in rhythm and groove, as a kid I remember I pretended to play drums with two flutes as sticks on my pillow, listening to the Eagles!” 

Photo: Gloria Turrini)

Those who have seen you live talk about an incredible energy and a constant smile on stage. How do you manage to turn the blues—historically the music of melancholy—into such an uplifting and positive experience for the audience?

Well, I love so much what I do and the people I do it with (Riccardo Ferrini and Simone Scifoni) that it’s impossible not to smile! But it’s not all unicorns and rainbows. What I love about our performances is that we find space and time for everything.

I love singing ballads with all my heart and I think when I sing those is when you can hear and hopefully feel the range of emotions that I got through when I sing… But I also love to sing sexy songs, double meaning lyrics, being flirty.

And what about the fun songs, the boogie woogie, the light lyrics and the good time?

Again, There are so many shades to this wonderful genre and I feel that it’s the same with people. We’re not just one thing, we all have a lot of layers to explore, to unfold. I’m so lucky to able to do this for a living!

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