Sicilian-English artist Carmelo Alfano brings together decades of musical experience, an extraordinary career journey and a remarkable story of perseverance as he begins a new chapter
Carmelo Alfano’s musical story is one of unexpected encounters, international connections and opportunities that sometimes took years to come full circle. From studying voice in Italy with the teacher of legendary tenor Luciano Pavarotti to becoming one of the early pioneers of live music streaming, Alfano has continually found himself at interesting crossroads in the evolution of music.
Based in London and with family roots in Sicily, Alfano grew up with a distinctly Sicilian-English background that helped shape his independent approach to life and music. His career has included work as an artist, actor and television sound engineer, while his musical journey has taken him through many of London’s well-known music venues.
The Beginning: A Father, Opera and an Unexpected Path
Carmelo Alfano’s relationship with music began long before he chose to make it his career. In fact, music was initially something his father introduced into his life.
His father was an accomplished amateur tenor and a passionate opera enthusiast, and from an early age he would encourage Carmelo to stop what he was doing and listen to opera with him. One particular memory has stayed with Alfano: his father playing Beniamino Gigli and simply telling him to listen. When Carmelo asked why, his father’s answer was simple: one day, he would understand.
That early exposure became the starting point for everything that followed. Although Alfano initially explored acting – an area in which he also found considerable talent – music eventually became a central part of his life. Looking back, he wonders whether pursuing music was partly a way of getting closer to his father, but there is no question that his father was hugely influential in shaping his musical path.
His first voice lessons followed, setting him on a journey that would eventually take him to Italy, where he studied voice in Modena for two years with the teacher of Luciano Pavarotti.
There is also a remarkable musical connection between the two generations. Carmelo’s father knew Colin, who would later become part of the Sundae Club story, while Colin’s own father was professional opera singer Eric Shilling, creating another unexpected link between the families and their shared connection to opera and music.
From London to Modena
At one point in his career, Alfano decided to deepen his understanding of the voice. He travelled to Italy and spent two years studying voice in Modena with the teacher of Luciano Pavarotti.
The experience added another dimension to his development as a performer and gave him the opportunity to immerse himself in the traditions of Italian vocal training.
His Italian heritage remains an important part of his story. His family originated from Sicily, while his Sicilian-English upbringing gave him a strong sense of independence and determination.
Before Streaming Became the Norm
Long before live music streaming became an everyday part of the music industry, Alfano was experimenting with the possibilities of the internet.
More than 20 years ago, he became one of the first people to stream a live gig from London using a dial-up service. The technology was sufficiently unusual at the time to attract the attention of Sky News, who came to film the event.
A video of the occasion still exists on YouTube, capturing a fascinating moment when artists were beginning to discover the potential of the internet as a new way of connecting with audiences.
The Story Behind Sundae Club
Another fascinating chapter in Alfano’s musical world is connected to Sundae Club, the project formed by Colin and producer George Shilling.
At the time, Colin was the keyboard player in Carmelo Alfano’s band, Alfano, which supported James Blunt, briefly shared his management and performed at many of London’s famous music venues.
Colin and George first met at a mutual friend’s Elvis-themed fancy-dress party. Colin arrived dressed as Elvis Costello, complete with skinny tie and glasses, and the pair immediately hit it off.
When George later established a home studio and wanted to road-test the equipment, he invited Colin over to create some music. What began as a Sunday afternoon activity soon became a regular creative ritual.
With Lemon Jelly among their leading influences, the pair settled on the name Sundae Club. They also adopted the pseudonyms Hamstall Ridware and Dr. C.D. Mille, inspired by the location of the vintage Mellotron factory they had visited.
Both were avid instrument collectors, with Colin particularly proud of owning an original Mellotron – the instrument famously responsible for sounds such as the flute parts heard on The Beatles’ “Strawberry Fields Forever.”
Sundae Club’s music was subsequently used on GMTV and attracted the attention of Taste Music executive Safta Jaffery, who had played an important role in guiding Muse’s career. The pair went on to sign a publishing deal.
Their debut album, Technostalgia, featured the track “Angels In The Sky”, with vocals from Sam Holmes. They also co-wrote a track recorded by French Fame Academy winner Nolwenn Leroy for her second album Histoires Naturelles, which sold around half a million copies.
The pair also wrote music for ITV UEFA Champions League Weekly, while Sundae Club continues to release occasional EPs via Bandcamp.
The Demo That Took Ten Years to Find
For Alfano, persistence has always been central to his approach to music.
One of his most extraordinary stories dates back to 1993, when he sent a demo to Tom Jones because he believed one of his songs would suit the legendary singer.
At the time, artists submitted physical cassette tapes, with their contact details written on the cover. Alfano waited for someone to get back to him, but no response came.
Ten years later, however, he received a call from Mark Woodward asking whether he was the Carmelo who had sent a recording a decade earlier.
The reason was remarkable: a song from the original demo had been considered suitable for Tom Jones, but the cassette cover containing Alfano’s contact details had been lost. The team had spent years trying to find him.
It remains one of those bittersweet stories that perfectly captures the unpredictable nature of the music business.
A Career Surrounded by Music
Over the years, Alfano’s career has brought him into contact with a remarkable range of artists and industry figures, including Steve Winwood, Robbie Williams, Bob Geldof, Chris Martin, Nigel Kennedy, Guy Chambers and Nick Heyward, among many others.
He is also related to the renowned classical operatic composer Franco Alfano, adding another fascinating musical connection to his family history.
Away from music, Alfano has a passion for watches, vintage American comics and collecting vinyl records – interests that reflect his appreciation for music, culture and objects with history.
Never Giving Up
Alfano’s career has not followed a conventional path. Having children was a major turning point in his life and temporarily brought his career to a halt. When his children moved to New Zealand, he travelled to visit them twice a year for 15 years. Today, both live with him.
For Alfano, the greatest professional achievement has been teaching himself everything he needed to know to become self-sufficient in music – while never giving up.
It is perhaps the simplest way to understand his journey: a musician shaped by London and Sicily, influenced by Italy, surrounded by extraordinary stories and connections, and driven by a determination to keep creating and moving forward.
Follow Carmelo Alfano
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carmelo_alfano
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@carmelo_alfano