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Ambassadors An Elite Group of Jazz Guitar's Finest Players

Gerry Beaudoin Hyde Park Jazz Dec 2015

Jazz guitarist Gerry Beaudoin has carved out a career as a leader, arranger and guitarist. Called “One of New England’s premier jazz guitarists” by Just Jazz Guitar Magazine, Gerry has appeared on over twenty recordings in his career since his first national release in 1990. His award winning group the Boston Jazz Ensemble (which featured percussion legend Alan Dawson on drums and vibes, alto saxophonist Fred Lipsius from the seminal jazz-rock group Blood Sweat and Tears, and Dick Johnson who leads the Artie Shaw Band on clarinet) received rave reviews and critical acclaim.

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Gerry Beaudoin with his Custom honey blonde 7-String (Gerry also plays an Antiqueburst BRAVO 7-String made for him in 2009)

” …The father and son team weave sinuous lines and complex musical phrases in the art of jazz supported by the rock solid bass of Brad Hallen.”  Bart Weisman – Jazz Festival Promoter, Provincetown Jazz festival

” The Gerry Beaudoin Trio and guest David Grisman swing formidably through out. ”  Billboard Magazine

” Pianist Paul Schmeling and guitarist Gerry Beaudoin remind you of a Bill Evans and Jim Hall collaboration. ”  Jazz Times

Great interview at GuitarInternational.com  10-28-11   “American Idol? Jazz is our contribution to the world.”    GERRY BEAUDOIN     (Bravo, Gerry!)

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Roland Balogh Bravo Dlx – photo by Norbert Aranyosi

Roland Balogh was born in Budapest, Hungary. He began playing guitar at the age of 6, initially guided by his father and later by a private teacher. He took lessons from the famous Hungarian jazz guitarist Gyula Babos. In 2007 he received his high level diploma as jazz guitarist.

In 2009 Roland won the 1st prize at the “Montreux Jazz Guitar Competition,” whose jury was chaired by Lee Ritenour.

In 2010 in Völklingen, Germany, he won the 1st prize again at the International Competition “Voice and Guitar”. In the same year in March he received the scholarship “Dezső Ablakos Lakatos” and in November he was awarded the Junior Prima Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in Hungary.

In 2012 he won the 1st place again at the Jazzy Radio’s song writing competition with his band “Finucci Bros Quartet”.

In 2015 Roland won the 2nd prize at the Wes Montgomery Jazz Guitar Competition in New York, the chair of the Jury was Pat Martino.

Roland’s latest success in his career was achieved in 2016 by winning the 1st place like the grand prize winner at the Six String Theory Jazz Guitar competition in Los Angeles. The members of the jury were among the greatest jazz guitarists of the world such as Pat Martino, John Scofield, Mike Stern, Lee Ritenour and Nir Felder.

Roland has performed with many of the jazz elite like Matthew Garrison, Melvin Lee Davis, and Lee Ritenour.

Roland has also played at the Montreux Jazz Festival before the Paco de Lucia Band, and in the Blue Note Tokyo with Lee Ritenour, as well as several other famous Jazz Clubs and Festivals.

I’ve had the pleasure of hearing and evaluating some exceptional guitarists, and one that repetitively comes to mind is Roland Balogh. I suggest for those of you who are seriously interested, to add this gentleman on your list of formidable upcoming guitarists, and watch what happens. – Pat Martino

“I first heard Roland at the Montreux Jazz Festival International Guitar competition in 2009. He won 1st prize that year. One of the qualities that impresses me the most about Roland’s playing is his continuing development with his own unique & recognizable jazz guitar style. I also hear in his playing qualities that evoke all the modern approaches to the jazz guitar but at the same time pulls out influences that evoke memories of legends Joe Pass, Barney Kessel, Tal Farlow & others. He is forging ahead but not afraid to pay homage to those early greats. Roland is destined to be a great voice in modern jazz guitar & continues this journey with his latest project…” – Lee Ritenour

Roland performs on a Custom Translucent Black Bravo Deluxe model (with an B-6 black pickup).

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San Francisco based Ned Boynton is an educator and player bringing a unique approach to jazz and live performance to the Bay Area: listed as one of the top jazz guitarists in the US in Scott Yanow’s book “The Great Jazz Guitarists the Ultimate Guide”, Musical Director for Talk Show Live, Live at the historic Purple Onion in North Beach; leader of his Django Reinhardt-inspired trio Cafe Americain, or as Associate Director of Jazzmasters Workshop, Ned has injected himself into the guitar fabric that shapes the jazz community. He has been a featured clinician at the North Wales International Jazz Guitar Summer School in Wrexham, UK, and has performed with Bucky Pizzarelli, Anthony Wilson, Gary Potter, John Pisano, Howard Alden, Mundell Lowe, Bruce Forman, Les Paul, The Hot Club of San Francisco, Dan Barrett, Raul Reynoso and many others.

He is the founder and guitarist for the only  Gypsy Surf Italian Rock Jazz band in existence today:  SURFER ROMA: Ned Boynton – Surf Guitar – 
Jesse Lemme Adams – Surf Accordion and Surf Piano
Tim Vickers – Surf Bass
-Joe Gerardi – Surf Drums

He also performs regularly at Caffe Trieste.

Ned Boynton with his Bravo model.

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Southern California based recording artist/clinician Gary Bruno is very comfortable playing in many styles and has been doing so for over two decades.

Growing up in the Northeast Tri State area, Gary was introduced to many different styles, including jazz records played around the house by his parents. He landed a seat in the Dave Mason Band which led to playing Greenpeace concerts with John Denver. After a stint in Las Vegas, Gary settled in Southern California where he currently resides.

Even though his first love is jazz, he has recorded, toured or played with Brian Krinek, Jeff Lorber, The Ron Kobayashi Trio, Karen Gallinger, Theo Bishop, Gordon James, Kenny Loggins, and more.

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Gary Bruno with his Custom 16-B 7 string.

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Larry Camp Benedetto Players bio photo

Larry Camp is Tampa Bay’s quintessential jazz guitarist. Born in Virginia, he learned his craft along the East Coast and at the University of Miami.  He has been hailed by Musician Magazine as ‘one of the ten best unknown jazz guitar players in the U.S.’  He has played at the Kennedy Center for the President, the Smithsonian Jazz Series, as well as jazz festivals in Europe, in Clearwater, and Sarasota, Florida.

Like a lot of guitarists of his generation, Camp spent a lot of his early days playing both jazz and rock.  “I actually got introduced to jazz when I was 12 – an older trumpet player played some Wes Montgomery for me and then a bunch of Miles Davis records, and I decided I wanted to play like that.”

He played professionally in rock and R&B bands for years around the Virginia area and on the road, and filled his calendar with studio work playing radio jingles.  But Larry kept returning to jazz and went on to study composition and arranging at the University of Miami.

In 1984, Camp moved to Baltimore and started a jazz career playing five years with the Allen Houser Quintet.  His versatility also allowed him to play in a variety of settings from organ trio soul-jazz dates to straight be-bop.  Camp played with Gary Bartz and Dennis Chambers in the House Band at Baltimore’s “Jazz Closet” which regularly hosted appearances by artists such as Woody Shaw and Junior Cook.  He also dipped his toes into the avant-garde playing with Juius Hemphill and Marcus Belgrave at the Baltimore Center for Creative Music.  Larry also held a five-year gig with his own trio at the “One Step Down,” in Washington, D.C., and he also performed with Dizzy Gillespie, Billy Hart, and Reggie Johnson.

When he moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, in 1994, he worked for five years with trombonist Buster Cooper, Lifetime Achievement Award Winner and former Duke Ellington band member.

Larry has recorded on several best selling jazz albums and produced his own CD “Camp Fire” in 2002, joined by Mark Neuenschwander on bass, Richard Drexler on piano, and Steve Moretti on drums.  “I am continually trying to grow as a musician and express myself through my guitar and the language of jazz.”

Larry Camp performance sponsored by Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association

Sept 2014 – A Jazz Matinee with Larry Camp… by Ken Franckling

Larry plays an Autumnburst Bravo Deluxe (and a Benedetto Carino-10 amp).

Contact him on Facebook.

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Award-winning multi-instrumentalist, Alberto Cebollero, has spent the last four years as composer, lyricist, and guitarist for Florida’s powerhouse R&B band, RAMONA. Drawing on his background in classical composition and jazz improvisation, Cebollero is expanding his performance schedule to include solo guitar and small ensemble concerts.

Cebollero’s solo and small group repertoire explores selections from the Great American Songbook, such as Gershwin and Porter songs, popular hits across the decades, such as tunes by Billy Joel and Bob Dylan, instrumental standards by the likes of Monk and Coltrane, and his own original work.

Alberto plays a Bravo model.

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A long-time Benedetto endorser, for decades Jack has been one of Chicago’s most respected guitarists and educators.

Jack Cecchini with his Custom Cremona and Bob Benedetto NAMM Show Chicago 1980.

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Isaac Chatfield with his Bambino Elite.

Isaac Chatfield is an accomplished guitarist, whose interest in music started as a five year old. His playing career began at the age of fifteen around the time of winning an award at the Berklee College of Music summer guitar program.  At the age of sixteen he began studying jazz with guitar great Bruce Arnold before moving to New York City and studying with other greats such as Jack Wilkins, Howard Alden, Randy Johnston, Andreas Oberg and Jonathan Kreisberg.

Now holding a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from New York University’s College of Arts and Science, Isaac continues to develop his style through performance, recording and composition.  Chatfield has recently recorded two solo albums, Isaac Chatfield and Gypsy Brother, and intends to continue refining and honing his creativity.

He performs with a Bambino Elite (shown) and a Benedetto custom chambered solid-body double-neck.

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Joel Cross with Benedetto Bravo photo shoot for CD

Joel Cross is a native of Cleburne Texas. He began playing guitar at the age of twelve, performing in church and later in other gospel groups around the area. In 2003 he began college at the University of Houston where he studied jazz with Mike Wheeler, Noe Marmolejo and Woody Witt. While in Houston he played for the university’s big band and had the pleasure of performing with Randy Brecker and Tim Hagans. In 2006 Joel transferred to the University of North Texas to continue his studies in jazz. He performed in several of the schools jazz ensembles and enjoyed playing with great musicians including Fred Hamilton, Lynn Seaton, John Abercrombie and Eric Scortia. He completed his degree in Jazz Studies in 2008. Since then he has played with Bill Neale, Dan Faehnle and other great jazz artists like Quamon Fowler and Tatiana Mayfield. In 2010 He released his Debut Album “Just Reach.” Joel continues to perform across the country and is currently working on his second album release.

Visit his website

Joel performs with a BRAVO model.

Black and white photography of Joel by Collette Presley- https://www.facebook.com/ColletePresleyPhotography

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Guitarist Edward Kennedy Ellington II playing his Benedetto Fratello guitar

Guitarist Edward Kennedy Ellington II, Duke Ellington’s grandson, leads the Ellington Legacy Band, a vital ensemble whose sole intent is to keep the maestro’s music alive in an invigorating fashion.

The band celebrated the release of its 2007 debut CD, “Thank You Uncle Edward” (Renma), at Trumpet’s Jazz Club, Montclair, New Jersey.

Edward performs with a Fratello.

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John Eubanks 1995 photo by Kerri McCaffety

John Eubanks has been part of the New Orleans performance, education and recording scene since 1988 and is one of the most in demand guitarists/teachers in the city today. Originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, John is a versatile instrumentalist whose schedule includes a mix of traditional & modern jazz, Brazilian mandolin and guitar, orchestral work, and musical theater. He worked at the Marjorie Lyons Playhouse with the Shreveport Symphony, having studied at NSU in Natchitoches and UTA on a scholarship. John made stops in Nashville, Scotland and Baton Rouge before settling in New Orleans. He began work on a MA in Music degree at Loyola University and was a faculty member there from 1992-2004.

John continues to teach while performing at jazz festivals, with symphonic and pit orchestras, and at jazz clubs throughout the New Orleans area (including a regular Sunday gig at Muriel’s on Jackson Square, in the heart of the French Quarter).

(and like Savannah, Muriel’s has a Ghost!)

John Eubanks performs on a La Venezia Model.

Visit John’s website

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Carl Filipiak with his guitar

Carl Filipiak started playing guitar in the 60’s, at the beginning of Beatlemania and soon afterwards discovered Pat Martino and George Benson. His entrance into the world of jazz came through studying with Buddy Rich’s guitarist Walt Namuth and Baltimore great, Larry Wooldridge.  Jazziz Magazinehas included him among a renowned list of guitar players in their nominations for “New Fusion Blood,” and JazzTimes calls him “a dazzlingly versatile guitarist.”

 

Over the years Carl has recorded and performed with such prominent musicians as Dennis Chambers, Victor Wooten, and Grammy nominee Bob Berg. His recordings have been reviewed in Billboard, Guitar Player, Jazz Times and Jazziz Magazine and his music has been featured in televised events for NBC Sports, Turner Broadcasting and the Olympics. His songs have also made it to the top of the RMR Top 50 Jazz Albums and the NACC Top 30 Jazz Charts.

 

His diversity and love of all genres finds him in various musical endeavors, from recording at Abbey Road Studios to being a member of the unclassifiable music of Lafayette Gilchrist and the New Volcanoes (HBO series – The Wire).  He is the author of “Rock-Fusion Improvising” for Mel Bay Publications and a contributing author on jazz guitar in “Guitar – A Complete Guide for the Player” from Balafon Books UK.

 

His recordings are on Art of Life Records and he is an artist and member of the Benedetto Guitar family.

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Rick Finkelstein has been involved with the Pittsburgh music scene as an educator, director and performer for over 40 years. As a music teacher with the Pittsburgh Public Schools, Rick was the Music Department Chair for Schenley High School, music director for Schenley’s Gene Kelly Award Winning Musicals and the director of the Schenley High School Concert Choir. As a guitarist, Rick has performed with The Paragon’s The Jesters, The Harptones and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, the Original Little Anthony and the Imperials. Locally, he plays with the North Suburban Big Band, Hopewell Big Band and the King’s Ambassadors Big Band. For the last several, years Rick has teamed up with singer Marti Aggazio and many other artists around the Pittsburgh area and for his monthly gig at Bistro 9101 in Pittsburgh’s North Hills.

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Jim Fox

Guitarist, composer, Jim Fox, a graduate of the Berklee College of Music (Cum Laude, Distinguished Performance Faculty Award), has toured the world and recorded with artists such as Frank Sinatra, Jr., Barry Manilow, Bette Midler, Rosemary Clooney, Dean Martin, Jack Jones, Debby Boone, Rod Stewart, Michael Feinstein, Kenny Rankin, Laurendo Almeida, Steve Lawrence, Gordon Lightfoot, James Darren, The Temptations, Bill Conti and with symphonies including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, symphony orchestras of most major U.S. cities, Woody Herman, Henry Mancini and Percy Faith Orchestras. Fox has performed for six U.S. Presidents, His Serene Highness Prince Ranier of Monaco, Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of York, The Duke of Windsor Edward VII, Princess Caroline of Sweden, and other heads of state.

Fox can be heard playing jazz with such artists as The Flying Pisanos, Bob Bain, Chuck Berghofer, Bob Sheppard, Kenny Davern, Dan Higgins, Bill Watrus, Gary Foster, and festivals such as Monterey Jazz Festival, Playboy Jazz Festival, Kool Jazz Festival, Santa Barbara Jazz Festival, California Cool Jazz Festival, Stockholm, Montreaux, Pori Finland, French Riviera, Istambul, San Sebastian, many other European festivals, Ventura Music Under The Stars and Oak Leaf Festival. Jim’s regular participation in John Pisano’s Guitar Night has been a source of pride and pleasure, performing with fine guitarists Dan Sawyer, Herb Ellis, Barry Zweig, Ron Anthony, Jon Kurnick, John Chiodini, Pat Kelley, Mitch Holder.

Visit his website at jimfoxguitar.com.

February 2015, Benedetto welcomed Jim to the Benedetto Players roster, delivering his very custom 16B designed specifically for his playing stye. 16″ x 3-3/8″, 1-11/16″ nut, rounded fingerboard end, 21 fret, select Europe woods, vioin tailpiece, and floating custom pickup (not yet installed).

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Wesley G. was born in Wiesbaden, Germany. Captivated early on by the sounds of Django Reinhardt, later influences included B. B. King, Wes Montgomery, and Joe Pass. Gigs with Liza Minnelli, Birelle Lagrene and Andreas Oberg made him a ‘must-have’ guitarist throughout Europe’s jazz scene. He performs solo, duo and trio jazz guitar…everything from Melodic and Bebop to Funk and Jazz Soul.

Wesley G. with his Bravo Deluxe Model.

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Known for his relaxed feel and commanding sound, Lucian Gray is a virtuosic young guitarist with a deep respect for the jazz tradition.

Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Lucian Gray was born into a musical family. His father is one of Canada’s foremost trumpet players, and his mother the head of her own music school. He started playing the piano at the age of 4.

Upon entering high school, Lucian decided to pick up the guitar and played in various rock and fusion groups throughout his teens. After being introduced to the music of Wes Montgomery, he decided he wanted to be a jazz guitarist.

In 2008, Lucian was awarded the Slaight Scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music on a full scholarship. He graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor’s Degree of Music Performance. During his time at Berklee, Lucian studied with guitar guru Mick Goodrick.

In 2009, Lucian was awarded the Rising Young Star at the Prince Edward County Jazz Festival.

In 2015, Lucian entered the first Wes Montgomery International Jazz Guitar Competition and was one of five finalists selected to perform at the culminating concert of the competition.

Lucian is currently active in the Toronto jazz scene, performing with his own group and as a sideman, as well as teaching privately.

Lucian plays a custom Benedetto Americana.

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Cris Edit

Cristóbal Gómez is a guitarist, arranger, composer and educator. He is a Performer in Jazz and Popular Music of the Professional Institute PROJAZZ, Bachelor in Education and Musical Arts of the Universidad Mayor; and Master in Music Jazz Performance of the New York University.

He is currently a professor in the area of ​​Performance and Composition at PROJAZZ (Berklee Global Partner) and arranging guitarist of the groups Cristóbal Gómez Trío and Gypsy Trío. He has participated in tours and recordings with renowned musicians such as Mike Richmond, Rodrigo Recabarren, Ignacio Hernández, Paz Court, Karen Rodenas and has two solo albums: “Uno En Tres” and “Quinteto”.

He is co-founder of the Jazz Club of Talca and winner on several occasions of projects funded by Centro Cultural GAM, CONICYT Scholarships Chile, FONMUS and FNDR.

Cristóbal is now based in Santiago de Chile and teaches privately through www.cristobalgomez.cl.

“A poetic and lyrical guitarist, Cristobal also possesses storytelling qualities in his compositional sense.  There is a flow to his ideas that keeps the listener and the musicians he surrounds himself with engaged and inspired.  He is a special musician, one I truly hope will be able to share his music with many, many people.” Alan Ferber

“Cristobal, is a fine guitarist, he has a wonderful rhythmic spirit and the great harmonic sense.” Ralph Lalama.

“Considered as one of the most skilled musicians of the 2000 generation.” El Centro Newspaper

Cristobal plays a Benedetto Bambino.

Visit Cristobal online!

Website
Facebook
Youtube
Spotify
Cd Baby 

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Steve Knight with his Benedetto 16-B

Steve traded his skateboard for a Synsonics/JC Penney guitar (with built-in, 9 volt-powered speaker) as a teen in the early 90s.. After playing recreationally in college at Emporia State University, his first step into the professional jazz world came in the living room of noted jazz pedagogue, author, and guitarist Dr. Wayne Goins at Kansas State University. Wayne’s unique approach as a professional first, academic second, inspired Steve to pursue the music further by moving to New York where he was lucky to study with luminaries in the field like Benedetto Artist Jack Wilkins, Mark Whitfield, Peter Bernstein, Mark Sherman, and Jim Ridl. Steve moved to Chicago in the spring of 2016 and began teaching and playing full time, further refining his craft with the help of local jazz heavies Scott Hesse, Jim Trompeter, Ernie Adams, and Henry Johnson. His debut album, Persistence, was released in August of 2022 and has met with excellent reviews from around the world, including four stars from Downbeat. Since 2012 his primary instrument has been a custom Benedetto 16B

Polly Harrison Benedetto Players Photo

As a guitarist for the long-running jazz group Small World, seven-string player is a fixture on the San Antonio jazz scene.

Polly Harrison started her professional musical career forty years ago when she, drummer Kyle Keener and organist Mark Marty put together a B-3 trio they called Small World.

Eventually the organ player left the group. Polly and Kyle continued on as a jazz duo (Kyle sang and played drums while Polly played guitar, bass pedals and sang harmony). The two musicians spent years performing with Basie and Ellington sax legend Marshall Royal, tenor saxophonist Clifford Scott, trombonist Carl Fontana, Bill Comstock of the Four Freshmen and guitarists Gene Bertoncini, Bucky & John Pizzarelli, Herb Ellis and Cal Collins and many others.

Nearly 30 years ago, following the inspiration of her friend Bucky Pizzarelli, Polly took up the 7-string guitar and since then has become well known for her chord-melody expertise and her ability as an accompanist.

Small World has made a number of recordings including an all-Brazilian CD, a Christmas CD with all arrangements by Polly and a Christmas CD with the Four Freshmen!

Polly Harrison is the 2014 winner of the Mary Parchman Award for Jazz Excellence. In a career spanning four decades, she has inspired fellow musicians and audiences alike with her tasteful playing, her dedication, and her professionalism. She resides in San Antonio, Texas (with husband Hank Harrison) and plays a 1988 custom Benedetto 7-String made for her.

Polly’s spouse, fiddler/mandolinist Hank Harrison publishes a weekly email play-by-play of their jam sessions, complete with photos. Email him at hankharrison@gmail.com

pollyharrison@gmail.com

I still think she is the best guitarist in the state working duo with a singer.  She plays such pretty and musical thoughts without being competitive with the singer.  (Not everyone knows how to do that.) I have known her since Nov. of ’89 and she still pulls my ear in such a delightful way!  DANNY MCKNIGHT  (That smile on her face is honest and is there a lot!)

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Canadian born and raised Bill Hart has shared the stage with jazz greats such as Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller, Lou Rawls, Yellow Jackets, Acoustic Alchemy, Joey Defrancesco, Norman Brown, Rippingtons and Mike Stern. He graduated with Honors from the Guitar Institute of Technology.

Head of the guitar program at the Atlanta Institute of Music (AIM) for 15 years, he continues to influence young players in the style of jazz/fusion. Hart has mentored over 2500 students in his career, having participated in numerous music clinics with seminar partners such as Mike Stern, Joel Rosenblatt, Scott Ambush, Jimmy Herring, Adam Nitti, and Shane Theriot.

A masterful guitarist and composer, Bill performs on a Bambino Deluxe.

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A long time Benedetto player, Adrian Ingram is an important educator, author, player and guitar historian. As an educator, he served as guitar specialist for Birmingham Education Authority (1975-1981) and Lecturer in jazz and popular music at Huddersfield Technical College (1981-82). Following this he taught for thirteen years as senior lecturer in jazz guitar at the prestigious Leeds College of Music (1982-1995). Adrian has an MA in music performance and a Master of Philosophy in music education. He was elected both Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) and Fellow of the College of Preceptors (FColl.P) in 1987 for outstanding contribution to music education. Adrian also holds advanced diplomas in classical guitar performance and instruction and has attained Dept. of Education and Science’s “qualified teacher” status.

A prolific writer, Adrian has authored many books including Gibson: The L-5 (Centerstream) and is a long-time contributor to Just Jazz Guitar magazine. He remains active in England as a player and writer.

View his Site

Adrian with his custom Benny

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Pat Kelley with his Bambino

Recognized for his signature touch, harmonic sophistication, and sense of rhythm and the blues, Pat Kelley worked many years as a Los Angeles studio guitarist, while also touring the world for five years as a member of George Benson’s band and two years with Natalie Cole. He has worked with Tom Scott, Hubert Laws, Ronnie Laws, David Benoit, Jane Monheit, Burt Bacharach, Gregg Karukas, Melissa Manchester, Al Jarreau, Eric Marienthal, and others. As the house guitarist for the final five years of the Merv Griffin Show, Pat followed in the footsteps of former Merv show guitarists Herb Ellis, Jim Hall, and Mundell Lowe. He also worked as the CBS house guitarist for the Pat Sajak and new Carol Burnett shows. With eleven albums as leader, in 2014, Pat released “Overtones 4 Two Guitars”, an album of duo guitar performances with Bruce Forman, Peter Bernstein, Howard Alden, Anthony Wilson, Larry Koonse, Frank Potenza, John Stowell, John Pisano, and John Storie. Pat was frequently featured on John Pisano’s Guitar Night concerts. On the USC Studio/Jazz Guitar faculty for twenty-four years, Pat now holds the title of professor emeritus. Born and raised in Tulsa, Pat was inducted into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame in 2003, joining guitar idols and fellow Oklahomans Charlie Christian and Barney Kessel.

Pat Kelley with his Bambino Model.

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Jan Kuiper photo by Anita Meis

Jan KuiperHe was the winner of the most prestigious Dutch Jazz Award: “The podium prize”.

Jan Kuiper is a virtuoso on both the electric and acoustic guitars with a deep knowledge of North and South Indian music. Jan has appeared on over 25 albums and is actively composing music for dance companies, and classical ensembles. As a veteran guitar player with over 35 years of experience He is the founder and leader of the Five Great Guitars and actively performs in The Jungle Warriors (a 20 piece band with break dancers, street dance and Bollywood dance). In addition to this, he is one of a few people who play a specially built 18 string India guitar. He toured with a.o. Larry Carlton, Jan Akkerman, Kaki King, David Murray & Anthony Jackson.

He is also an accomplished yogi.

Jan plays mostly on his Benedetto Bambino Deluxe Crimson Blaze & a Bambino Custom Crimson Blaze.

Bardo: https://youtu.be/3PTSUiU9XiY

Interview: https://youtu.be/4RTB_3oy0GM

Simany: https://youtu.be/KqRDHnKCXnE

Jan Kuiper with one of his four Benedettos, a Crimson Blaze Bambino Deluxe. Photo by SJU Jazzpodium via Flickr – ‘Jan Kuiper Met Three of a Kind and Bireli LaGrene’

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Accompanied by piano and guitar, Roger Latzgo travels his musical road with a style called ethnofunkology–a unique blend of folk music and jazz. His repertoire includes songs of celebration, adventure and triumph: music that explores the resonance of life.

Today, Roger brings his unique sound to festivals, concerts, special events, workshops and residencies. When he’s not touring, he lives in Germansville, PA, USA. In addition to performing and recording, he teaches music privately and at the Lehigh Carbon Community College.

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Roger Latzgo with his Manhattan Model

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Seiji is Japan’s foremost 7-string jazz guitarist. With his seemingly endless musical prowess, no wonder he remains Japan’s finest.

Seiji Okamura with his Custom 7-String Model.

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There are some musicians who earn the label “a players player”. Individuals who possess a quality and integrity that peers look up to, not for mere bursts of blazing notes or chops, but for the perfection of their performances and the joy they bring. Such a musician is West coast based Jazz journeyman guitarist Doug MacDonald.

“I’ve simply never lost my love affair for warm notes, a good standard and striving for the best performance”, states the guitarist. In that regard, MacDonald’s musicianship evokes thoughts of such artists as Chet Baker and Sinatra, to name a few, who performed and excelled in a particular style their entire careers while keeping it fresh for their audiences time after time.

Originally from Philadelphia, he began his career in Hawaii, where he played with Trummy Young and Gabe Balthazar, and with Del Courtney at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. Relocating to Las Vegas, Doug found himself immersed in a vibrant music scene, and began playing in lounges and showrooms with jazz greats, including Joe Williams, Carl Fontana, Jack Montrose, and Carson Smith. On to Los Angeles, Doug played in the bands of Bill Holman, Ray Anthony, and John Clayton, and performed and recorded with Jake Hanna, Rosemary Clooney, Jack Sheldon, Bob Cooper, Ross Tompkins, Ray Brown, Buddy Rich, and Ray Charles. Doug also began recording and performing with his own trio and quartet, as well as his 13 piece ensemble, The Jazz Coalition.

Throughout his career the guitarist has caught the attention of noted jazz writers and critics. Michael Nastos of All Music Guide wrote, “a veteran guitarist who know his influences cold, and consistently plays to his strong suit.” Scott Yanow wrote of MacDonald, “…a fine bop-based guitarist in the tradition of Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel, and Joe Pass.” Chicago Tribune’s Zan Stewart captured so much of MacDonald when he wrote, “…beautiful bell-clear sounds and a sure footed sense of swing.” drummer Harold Acey round out the personnel.”

To date, MacDonald has released a prolific catalog of 15 CDs spanning configurations as a soloist, in duos, trios, quartets and big bands. A selection of discs include 2009’s orchestral project Fourth Stream for 13-piece brass and woodwind ensemble augmented with strings. 2014 saw the release of Solo Plus, a 14 song collection of standards played solo by MacDonald.  In 2016, he released Doug MacDonald’s Reorganized Quartet. Bill Milkowski writes in the liner notes for the CD, “On this potent outing, MacDonald is surrounded by a pair of like minded old school burners on the LA scene in tenor saxophonist Clarence Webb and 70 year-old Hammond B-3 master and Columbus, Ohio native Bobby Pierce (who recorded with a young Pat Martino in his band on a couple of Cobblestone and Muse sessions from the early 1970s). Tenor saxophonist Rodger Neumann and drummer Harold Acey round out the personnel.”

In 2017, MacDonald released View Of The City on Blujazz, a recording where the guitarist and composer returns to New York with mainstays Harvie S on bass and Steve Williams on drums. As Doug explains, “The time was right to return to the City and work with just bass and drums, which is a trio format I particularly enjoy. Harvie and Steve contributed a huge amount of soul and enthusiasm throughout the hours we recorded.” Organisms, released in February, 2019 on Scholz Productions, is a organ quartet featuring Ben Scholz on drums, Carey Frank on organ and Bob Sheppard on tenor sax. The music has a palpable synergy between each member of the quartet and contains ten songs, three originals and fresh takes on seven standards.

Doug’s 15th release, his first on his own dmacmusic label, is Califournia Quartet released in May of 2019. It is a mainstream jazz ensemble featuring some of the West Coast’s finest musicians. The quartet includes Kim Richmond on alto sax/flute, Harvey Newmark on bass, and Paul Kreibich on drums. The hard swinging disc, produced by Ben Scholz, has six original MacDonald compositions and the American-songbook standards “A Beautiful Friendship”, “If You Could See Me Now”, “The Things We Did Last Summer and “Tenderly”. Recorded in 2017 at Tritone Studios, the recording was engineered by Talley Sherwood, mixed by Maurice Gainen and mastered by Robert Vosgien at Capitol Studios. This unique record will delight fans of classic jazz and swing music.

Back on the West Coast, MacDonald continues to do what he loves and does best, perform, record and in the past few years teaching via online lessons. He continues to tour and perform around 300 plus performances a year across the countryfrom Hawaii to Las Vegas, Los Angeles and New York City, as well as to Spain, Hawaii, Finland, Estonia, and England. Some of the venues include Cezanne, in Houston, The Jazz Showcase, in Chicago, and Carnegie Hall and Mezzrow, both in New York Cityto name a few. In 2018, he performed on the East coast with Steinway artist Lenore Raphael and her Quartet.

The guitarist states, “Earlier on as a Jazz musician you pay your dues and work hard every minute. I’m fortunate, at this stage of my career, that I am working often and still loving it.”

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Andy is a busy freelance guitarist based on the Llyn Peninsula in North Wales. The last 30 years has seen him playing jazz festivals in New York, Los Angeles and most major European cities in addition to being active on the UK jazz scene – particularly around his native Manchester. He has also played numerous gigs, TV, record and ‘jingle’ sessions in a myriad of guitar styles.

A long standing disciple of the great gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt, Andy has written extensively on this unique style and was particularly instrumental in the 1990’s resurgence of this ‘Hot Club’ music. In this genre Andy currently plays and records with the bands of top UK violinists Billy Thompson and Sarah Smith. Alongside famed US guitarist John Jorgenson, Andy recreated Django’s music for the Charlize Theron movie ‘Head in the Clouds’.

Pictured here with his custom 7-string Benedetto.

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Benedetto Player Tim May with his Americana Custom Autumnburst S1764 with floating pickup, x-brace & tailpiece inlay.

This is the Nashville, national flat-picking champion, Charlie Daniels’ soloist, bluegrass playing, Grand-Ole-Opry-performing, Patty-Loveless-touring Tim May! A recording artist and Nashville area educator, Tim brings a new audience and approach to our classic archtop guitars. Not only a bluegrass and country player, Tim is a connoisseur of fine instruments and a student of all music styles.

We are delighted to add Tim to our world-class roster of players as he brings the Benedetto name to new stages and styles with the finesse and enthusiasm that makes him one of the hottest players anywhere in the world.

Tim May with his Americana w/S-6 pickup.

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A long-time Fratello player, Gonzalo is a leading guitarist and recording artist in Caracas, Venezuela.

Gonzalo Micó with his Fratello model.

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Louie Moon and his Benny

Louie Moon was born in Washington D.C. and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area of California.

At age 16, inspired at local performances by musical luminaries like Miles Davis, Wes Montgomery, Stevie Wonder, Carlos Santana and Earth Wind and Fire, Louie began singing and playing guitar. At 18 he started performing professionally with bands and by 20 was touring internationally.

Louie began his formal study of music in the Bay Area with local legends Ed Kelly, Bob King and Elvo D’Amante. Within a short time the Hollywood music scene called and he moved to Los Angeles to formally study guitar, music theory and composition with Pat Martino and Joe Diorio at Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT) in Hollywood CA.While living in Hollywood he formed a friendship and musical alliance with guitarist Pat Thomi and together they formed the Thomi-Moon Project. Soon after graduating from GIT Louie toured Brazil as Orchestra Leader for Eartha Kitt. Numerous recording sessions, club gigs, national and international tours followed with artists and bands including “Louie Moon and Mankind Band”.

Over the years Louie Moon has cultivated, seasoned and distilled his musical style creating a rich brew of Jazz, R&B, Funk and Latin influenced guitar and vocal performance with his original compositions featured on his CD “‘Round Midnight” Louie Moon (2005).

Louie plays a Benedetto BENNY guitar.

Visit his site.

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BG Recording Artist Bill Moio with his Antiqueburst 16-B

Bill grew up in Maine and attended Berklee College of Music where he studied under the late William G. Leavitt. He served as house guitarist for both Harrah’s Reno and Harrah’s Lake Tahoe for seven years, and was then elevated to the position of orchestra leader.

Bill has performed with legendary soul band Tower of Power. He has also appeared with and or recorded with many jazz and contemporary artists including guitarists Joe Diorio, Jack Wilkins and organ greats Joey DeFrancesco and Tony Monaco. Bill’s first solo CD, “Let’s Go”, showcases his phenomenal guitar playing as well as his solid writing and arranging skills featuring well-crafted originals and fresh takes on classic standards. Two of his compositions are featured in Mel Bay’s “2000 Jazz Guitar”, an anthology of solos by the world’s finest jazz guitarists.

He currently lives in Paradise Valley, Arizona where he continues to perform, record and teach privately.   View his website.

Bill performs on 16-B Model.

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An accomplished guitarist, Bill Neale has a stellar biography as a stage performer, recording artist, producer and studio musician. Among his accomplishments are extensive tours and recordings that include a five year tenure as lead guitarist with Motown’s “The Temptations”. In addition, Bill also performed with artists Deniece Williams (Let’s Hear It For The Boy), Sammy Davis, Jr., The Spinners and recorded with The Stylistics, Helen Reddy, Teddy Pendergrass and more. Bill was the guitarist for all Chuck Barris Television Shows including “The Gong Show” and is a recipient of both an RIAA Certified Gold and Platinum record award for his work. A Benedetto Player since 1996, Bill is currently President of Benedetto Amps. www.benedettoamps.com

Bill and his wife Mary Ann reside in Florida.

Shown with his BENNY at a recording session in Nashville.  “I am always impressed with my Benny. It’s such a versatile and fun guitar to play”.

Bill Neale on Bob Miles TV Show “World of Guitar”

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Mate Palasti

Máté Palásti is a very talented, young, Hungarian guitarist who has been playing music since the age of six. His first instrument was the violin. at the age of nine the guitar became his primary instrument. As the former student of the guitar master Ferenc Snétberger, he had the occasion to play music with Richard Bona, Paolo Vinaccia and other great musicians.

Roma roots are very important in his life, and influence his music. He plays jazz, Latin, Brazilian, flamenco, fusion and his improvisation skills make his music unique. He is always open for musical collaborations.

In 2016, Palásti embarked on a three week tour in India where he performed at the Hampi Art Festival to an audience of 12,000. He performed concerts and guitar workshops in Bangalore, Delhi, and Bhubaneswar.

In December 2018, he returned as one of the jury at the Calcutta International Classical Guitar Competition, a concert and guitar workshop and loater performed at the Giants of Jazz Festival in Delhi.

Despite his young age, Máté Palásti has already performed in several European countries as well: Vienna, Eisenstadt (AUT), Podgorica, Budva (MON), Bratislava (SK), Krakow (PLN), Berlin (GER), London (UK).

The continuous concert invitations inspire him a lot to show his colorful musical dimension on his beloved Benedetto guitar.

“Lindo sonido de guitarra que tiene Máté. Me imagino que habrá estudiado an algun de esas excelentes escuelas y conservatorios musicales de Hungría. Y me imagino que con esa técnica tan limpia y depurada que tiene, seguramente puede leer música escrita sin dificultad.”

“Máté has a beautiful guitar sound. I can imagine he has studied in one of the most excellent schools in Hungary. With such a clean and refined technique, he can surely read music without difficulty.”

Paquito D’Rivera – September 2016

Máté plays a Bambino Deluxe model.

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James Pecchia

James Anthony Pecchia has performed with over 200 Music Legends in Canada and Europe including The Mama And The Papas, Sam and Dave, Jr Walker and many more as a sideman since 1972. He also hosted two Award winning Live music TV shows, writes for film, TV and jingles in his own studio.In 1997, James won the Guitar-Warz in Toronto, and in 2013, was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in Detroit. Currently, James has a new Jazz CD just released and plays festivals and concerts all over Canada and Upstate New York.

He performs on a Benedetto Custom Benbino model, a Bambino, and soon — a Benny we are building now!

Visit his website HERE!

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BobbyRambo

Bobby Rambo is a veteran musician, producer, recording artist, music publisher and three-time Grammy nominated singer and songwriter.  Born in Dallas, Texas, Bobby has toured the world over. He is a member of the Rock-a-Billy Hall of Fame and has recorded and played with Jerry Lee Lewis, The Five Americans, Gene Summers, Scotty McKay, Ronnie Dawson, Jerry Jeff Walker, B.W. Stevenson and Carole King to name a few.

Bobby performs with a Bravo model.

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Michele Ramo Master Violinist 2011

Violin Virtuoso Michele Ramo and his group have been featured at concert events along with world renowned artists including Yo Yo Ma, James Galway, Ertha Kitt, Barbara Cook, James Levine and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.

He has performed/toured or recorded with Guitarists: Bucky Pizzarelli, John Pizzarelli, Mundell Lowe, Martin Taylor (U.K.), Howard Alden, Al Caiola, Les Paul, Gary Potter (U.K.), Trefor Owen (U.K.), John Etheridge (U.K.), Andy MacKenzie (U.K.), Andreas Oberg, Tony DeCaprio, Gene Bertoncini, Jorge Morel, Carlos Barbosa-Lima, Wayne Wright, Jack Wilkins, Frank Vignola

Ramo relocated back to Michigan after living in New York City for 12 years with his wife, singer-lyricist and voice teacher Heidi Hepler. He currently teaches Jazz Violin, Guitar & Mandolin in his private studio and Jazz Guitar at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Virtuoso musician Michele Ramo with his Benedetto Violin, New York, Oct. 22, 2011. Photo by Jeffrey Hertzlich

with Bob Benedetto in Savannah GA Sept 2010

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Knut Richter of Germany with his 1995 Benedetto Manhattan #34695 Dec 2014

 

Knut Richter was born and raised in a German family where music was actively cultivated. Besides playing instruments, the family’s home was regularly filled with music from the likes of Paul Kuhn, Milt Buckner, Bert Kämpfert, Hugo Strasser, Joe Pass and Django Reinhardt.

After many piano lessons which were not very successful, Knut discovered that the guitar and later the banjo were a better match, and he devoted him mastering each in a self-educated way. Knut’s style was mainly influenced during this time by other well-known musicians with whom he played., such as Bill Ramsey, Joy Flemming, Martin Weiss, Hänsche Weiss, Buddy Wachter and many more.

Now he has his own projects and leads several bands such as Take Jazz, Street Paraders, Knut Richter Swingtett, Knut Richter Trio and the Hanover Jazzband. Knut Richter´s Swingtett ranks among the most successful swing formations in Europe, and he regularly performs amongst Europes’s most influential circles. His concerts are mainly performed in Germany, but he also performs in Austria, Switzerland and Singapore.

Learn more about Knut at his website, www.knut-richter.de.

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Taylor Roberts

Taylor Roberts has earned a reputation as one of the Southeast’s top calls for Jazz Guitar.  Years of intensive study with world-renowned educators such as Barry Greene, Keith Javors, and Bunky Green have proven to continually pay off as his career expands. Multiple appearances at the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, an international tour with the Christian Tamburr Quintet, and collaborations with some of the biggest names in Jazz today have put him on the map as one of the great rising stars in the Jazz guitar world.

Maintaining a full studio of students at the Morris Music Academy in Jacksonville Beach, Taylor is regularly passing things on that he’s picked up over the years to the next generation of guitar players.  Since switching to 7-string, he has become a favorite among local and regional vocalists for duo work, and can be seen frequently playing solo guitar at events in Jacksonville and the surrounding areas.  While his playing style and heart are firmly steeped in tradition, he feels it’s just as important to remain relevant with his repertoire, always learning new material that will become the standards of today.  Taylor currently resides in Keystone Heights, FL with his family and continues to tour, teach, and record regularly.

“…Guitarist Taylor Roberts comfortably joins [the] top tier group with his own unique and stylized approach to the art of jazz guitar. I have had the great pleasure of sharing the stage around the world with Taylor and always look forward to the musical story that unfolds.” Christian Tamburr, Internationally touring jazz vibraphonist

Taylor plays a 7-string Bravo Model.

View his updated website: www.TaylorRoberts.info

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RonnieRose and Bravo BP page

In his early teens, Ronnie’s love of jazz was influenced by such diverse guitarists as Bucky Pizzarelli, Kenny Burrell and Wes Montgomery. Recognized for playing chord melody lines and substituting and extending chords, he has been fortunate during his 45 year career to jam with great musicians such as Johnny Bennett (brother of Tony Bennett and Ron’s godfather) and Russell Malone.

Ronnie plays a BRAVO model with a Benedetto Carino-10 amplifier.

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lg-schoenecker-joachim

Joachim Schoenecker has studied at the “Hilversums Conservatorium” in Holland and at the “Musikhochschule Köln”. His recording career as a leader was launched in 1997 with his CD debut as a leader, “Common Language”, featuring Jeff Hamilton, Larry Fuller and John Goldsby on “Doubletime-Records.” His second CD, “In The Moment”, with Chris Potter, Adam Nussbaum and John Goldsby, was released in 2000 and received critical acclaim in the US and abroad. Besides projects as a leader, he has worked in the studio or on stage with artists including “Toots” Thielemans, Patti Austin, Paquito D´Rivera, Peter Erskine, Don Braden, and Jeff Hamilton. An experienced educator, he taught at “Hochschule für Musik und Theater” in Leipzig from1999 to 2005. Joachim is an important link to the jazz guitar world in Europe.

Joachim Schoenecker with his Manhattan Model

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Donato Soviero1

Guitarist, Composer, and teacher Donato Soviero has been performing in and around the Washington DC area for thirty years. Noted for his superb artistry as a guitarist and composer, Donato’s roots are firmly planted in the tradition of mainstream jazz, but his scope of musical interest is wide. Donato has appeared with top local and national artists, as well as leading many of his own groups in the United States, Europe and the Caribbean.

In the early 90’s, his group Decisiones highlighted his composing and arranging skills in a Latin-Jazz vein. He’s opened for Poncho Sanchez and Tito Puente, and has appeared with national artists at Wolftrap, the D.C. Convention Center, the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian, and RFK Stadium and performed at numerous Jazz festivals. He’s played for Presidents and at the State Department for the Thelonious Monk Institute.

Recordings include a self-titled CD, several features as sideman and CD tribute to Charlie Byrd entitled “Classical Jazz.” One of his most recent projects has been a modern jazz group called the MARS 4-Tet (mars4-tet.com) which has recorded its debut release, The Blind Watchmaker.

“His beautiful phrasing and impressive improvising took me aback…He’s one of those real surprises.”  –Tom Cole, host of WPFW’S ‘G STRINGS’

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lg-strong-clint

Clint Strong is a legend in Texas and known around the world for his remarkable technique, ideas, and musical vocabulary. One of the few jazz players to completely conquer the country music world while simultaneously setting bebop players on their ear, he easily makes the list of America’s most astounding players. As a very young teenage protégée, Clint’s musician father led him through the best teachers and players in Texas, eventually introducing him to Howard Roberts, who was an enormous influence on Clint. He performed with Red Garland, Howard Roberts, Herb Ellis and Tal Farlow, but is better known for his extensive touring and recording with country stars Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson. Clint teaches in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

Clint Strong with his Bambino Deluxe Model

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