AL DI MEOLA

Al Di Meola, a guitar legend inducted into the Gallery of Greats, is one of the top guitarists of our time. His career spans four decades, during which he’s earned critical acclaim, sold millions of records, received numerous awards, and even an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Berklee College of Music. A prolific composer, he has over 30 albums as a leader and collaborations with renowned musicians. His music blends world influences with jazz, and he’s known for his soulful and lyrical guitar expression. Al’s journey began as a young guitarist, inspired by artists like Larry Coryell. He joined Chick Corea’s Return to Forever in 1974, followed by a successful solo career with landmark albums like “Land of the Midnight Sun.” His acoustic guitar trio with Paco De Lucia and John McLaughlin gained immense popularity, and they released iconic albums like “Friday Night in San Francisco.” Al continued to innovate and explore new musical territories.

In recent years, he revisited his love for The Beatles with an acoustic album and released “OPUS” in 2018, showcasing his evolving compositional skills. His latest work, “ACROSS THE UNIVERSE,” is a creative interpretation of Beatles songs with lush arrangements and electric guitar.Looking ahead, Al is working on an autobiography and a new solo guitar record. He’s also excited about the upcoming release of “Saturday Night in San Francisco” from the 1980 Guitar Trio tour with John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucia in April 2022.

More Posts: adventure,club,genius,guitar,jazz,music,preserving,travel

TAL YAHALOM TRIO

Tal Yahalom is an award-winning guitarist, composer and bandleader based in Brooklyn, New York since 2014. Drawing from a wide range of influences – spanning jazz and impressionistic classical music to Brazilian repertoire and South-American guitar traditions – Tal aims to create engaging storytelling, adventurous interplay and a deep sense of groove while expanding on the traditional roles and textural capabilities of the guitar.

As a leader, he performs regularly with diverse solo programs, a chamber-jazz quintet (set to release its debut album later this year), a collective post-rock trio KADAWA, and various trios which have featured Caroline Davis, Dan Weiss, Eivind Opsvik and Rogerio Boccato.

More Posts: adventure,club,genius,guitar,jazz,music,preserving,travel

Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Mike Stern was born Michael Sedgwick on January 10, 1953 in Boston, Massachusetts and grew up in Washington, D.C. He attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston and when he was twenty-two, he became a member of Blood, Sweat & Tears, spending three years with the band. During this stint he appeared on the albums More Than Ever and Brand New Day.

1979 saw him joining Billy Cobham’s fusion band. Two years later he joined Miles Davis, making his public debut in 1981, a performance recorded on the album We Want Miles. He remained with Davis through 1983 until he was replaced by guitarist John Scofield. From 1983 to 1984 he toured with Jaco Pastorius and in 1985 returned to tour with Davis.

Stern’s solo debut, Upside Downside, with Jaco Pastorius, David Sanborn, and Bob Berg, was released on Atlantic Records in 1986. For the next two years he was a member of Michael Brecker’s quintet, appearing on Don’t Try This At Home. His second Atlantic album, dropped in 1988, was Time in Place, and he would go on to release more than a dozen albums.

He formed a touring group in 1989 with Bob Berg, Dennis Chambers and Lincoln Goines. His acclaimed 1993 album, Standards (and Other Songs), led to his being named Best Jazz Guitarist of the Year by the readers and critics of Guitar Player. He was nominated for two Grammy awards, received another Best Jazz Guitarist award, and in 2009 in the first of a series of articles celebrating Down Beat‘s 75th anniversary, Stern was named one of the 75 Great Guitarists of all time.

Serious injuries to his shoulders and right arm after tripping and falling led to the ending of his 2016 European tour. Modifying his playing technique in the summer of 2017 he returned to Europe on tour with a new formation called Mike Stern/Randy Brecker Band, featuring Randy Brecker, Teymur Phell and Lenny White.

Guitarist Mike Stern, who received a Certified Legend Award from Guitar Player magazine, continues to perform, record and tour.

More Posts: bandleader,guitar,history,instrumental,jazz,music

Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Oscar Klein was born on January 5, 1930 in Graz, Austria. His family fled the Nazis when he was young. He became known for older jazz like swing and Dixieland.

In the early Sixties he joined the famous Dutch Swing College Band in the Netherlands as first trumpeter and he is to be found on several of their recordings.

He played with Lionel Hampton, Joe Zawinul, Jerry Ricks and others. In 1996 he was honored by the Austrian President Thomas Klestil

Trumpeter Oscar Klein, who also played clarinet, harmonic and swing guitar, died on December 12, 2006 in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

More Posts: clarinet,guitar,harmonica,history,instrumental,jazz,music,trumpet

FRANK VIGNOLA

It’s the best jazz guitar lover’s show in the world, celebrating all facets of the guitar in jazz. Frank Vignola’s virtuosity has made him the guitarist of choice for many of the world’s top musicians, including Ringo Starr, Madonna, Donald Fagen, Tommy Emmanuel, the Boston and New York Pops, and more.

Every Wednesday at The Birdland Theater, Frank leads Frank Vignola’s Guitar Night. Inspired by journeyman jazz guitarist John Pisano’s now famous Los Angeles Guitar Night, Frank Vignola and friends will perform tunes from the standard repertoire and welcome weekly guest artists. Featuring: Frank Vignola (guitar) Ted Rosenthal (piano) Gary Mazzaroppi (bass) Vince Cherico (drums).

THE PLAYERS:

Pasquale Grasso Trio with Janice Siegel ~ vocals

Add Fees to Tickets

More Posts: adventure,club,genius,guitar,jazz,music,preserving,travel