Davi Wornel
Davi Wornel (born May 3, 1979) is an Italian singer-songwriter, composer, and record producer. He began his career in the Latin American contemporary Christian and gospel music scene before expanding into mainstream pop, soul, rock, and Latin music.
Throughout his career, Wornel has performed songs written by notable composers such as Juan Gabriel, Emilio Estefan, and Kike Santander. He has collaborated with international artists including Claude McKnight (Take 6), Ivana Spagna, Lucía Méndez, John Schlitt (Petra), and Kim Keyes.
His recordings have featured renowned session musicians such as Vinnie Colaiuta, Abraham Laboriel, Michael Landau, Phil Palmer, Phil Madeira, Jerry McPherson, Marcello Surace, Carmelo Labate, and Max Rosati.
Early life and education
Wornel was born in Reggio Calabria, Italy. At the age of eight, he participated in the musical Il Ballo del Qua Qua by Al Bano and Romina Power. The following year, he attended a modern dance course led by Federica Ferrari, founder of the National Dance Academy in Rome.
He later began studying classical guitar with a private instructor, demonstrating early musical aptitude. Wornel moved to Rome to pursue further musical education, where he attended vocal training courses with Elizabeth Sabine, a vocal coach known for working with artists such as Axl Rose (Guns N' Roses), Dave Mustaine (Megadeth), and Michael Sweet (Stryper).
Career
Early career and breakthrough (2004–2007)
In 2004, Wornel met record producer Joshua W. Hernández, marking the beginning of his professional music career. In December of that year, he released his debut single, Il Centurione, written by Michele Maggi and Rosita Ciferri.
The single gained international attention, reaching number two in Argentina and charting in Christian music rankings in the United States. It preceded the release of his first Spanish-language album, Uno Contigo, produced by Hernández. An Italian version, Uno con Te, followed in January 2005.
The album achieved commercial success, earning Wornel a silver certification. In the same period, he received recognition as a Best Performing Christian Music Artist.
In March 2007, he released the single Bendice tu enemigo, a Latin-inspired track blending merengue and cumbia, written in collaboration with Cuban composer Frank Marcos and arranged by Gustavo Lima, former leader of Los Iracundos. The single preceded the album No Te Cambiaría, which later achieved gold certification.
International collaborations and performances
Wornel expanded his international presence through live performances and collaborations. He participated in the Latin American Telemarathon, reaching the finals in the newcomers category with the single El Centurión.
In 2007, he was invited as a special guest to the La Cena de las Estrellas charity event in Hollywood, organized by Association Humanity. He also performed at the Expolit Festival in Miami, a major event in the Christian music industry.
That same year, he recorded a pop-funk version of Oh Happy Day, produced by Daniel Goodman. The track was included in the compilation album The Mercy Project – Christmas 2007, distributed by Sony Music.
In 2008, Wornel was invited by Gary Norman to appear on the Family Christian Network in New York, where he participated in a benefit concert supporting women's rights.
Later works and collaborations (2009–present)
In 2009, Mexican producer Mario Quintero released the pop-dance single Amor y nada más featuring Wornel.
On September 20, 2012, Wornel began collaborating with John Schlitt, lead singer of the Christian rock band Petra. Together they recorded Praise the Lord (Gloria al Señor), featuring musicians such as Michael Landau and Marcello Surace.
In 2013, Wornel attended the Venice Film Festival alongside Mexican actress Lucía Méndez for the presentation of the film Intrepido. During this period, he also met Claude McKnight of Take 6, leading to a duet performance of Up Where We Belong, originally performed by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes.
Wornel later released the single A tu lado, a Latin pop track featuring Puerto Rican rapper Manny Montes, as a preview of his album Latido de Amor, which includes eleven pop-rock songs with Latin influences.
On May 3 of the same period, he released the single Te Amarè, an acoustic ballad expressing themes of faith and devotion. The recording featured musicians including Abraham Laboriel, Marcello Surace, and Carmelo Labate.
Recent work
On October 25, 2022, Wornel released a duet version of I Want to Know What Love Is with Italian singer Ivana Spagna. The track, a tribute to the band Foreigner, featured internationally recognized musicians including Vinnie Colaiuta, Abraham Laboriel, and Michael Landau, along with the gospel choir Big Soul Mama.
Discography
Studio albums
- Uno Contigo (2005)
- Uno con Te (2005)
- No Te Cambiaría (2007)
- Latido de Amor (TBA)
Selected singles
- Il Centurione (2004)
- Bendice tu enemigo (2007)
- So che ci sei (2007)
- Amor y nada más (2009)
- Praise the Lord (Gloria al Señor) (2012)
- A tu lado
- Te Amarè
- I Want to Know What Love Is (2022)
Awards and recognition
- Best Performing Christian Music Artist (2005)
- Silver record for Uno Contigo
- Gold record for No Te Cambiaría (2007)
References
External links
- Official website (if available)
- Social media profiles