John Pizzarelli To quote an another author,  "Hailed by critics as one of the most accomplished interpreters of the Great American Songbook, John Pizzarelli is known for his brilliant guitar work and smooth vocals. In a career that has produced eighteen records and gained international recognition, John has brought classic standards and late night ballads to a new generation ready to serving and swoon. From Carnegie Hall to Melrose Place John has gained a wide following from his numerous stage, screen and television appearances and is setting the standard for stylish modern jazz." But I am not here to quote other authors. I am here to tell you that for the last several months I have spent a lot of time with John, while preparing the amplifier; and every nice thing ever written about him is certainly true. Not only is he a first class guitarist and singer but he is a unique individual also. You can learn much about a person when you spend time with them. Observing John at a number of gigs over the last couple of months, I found him always the same: smiling, laughing, ready with a bit of quick wit and always the consummate professional. It is these attributes that have made John the international star that he has become. People from all over the world fill venues to see and hear John entertain with his quartet and play some of the finest jazz on the music scene today. As beautiful as his singing voice is, you will find his guitar playing also impressive. His quartet is comprised of the finest musicians available, Ray Kennedy on piano, Martin Pizzarelli on bass and Tony Tedesco on drums. It has been an absolute pleasure and an honor to work with John. I insist that if you enjoy music you must pick up John's newest CD, "Knowing You", and give it a listen. I can guarantee before it is over, you too will become a fan. Visit John's website,  www.johnpizzarelli.com, to find out when and where he is playing, and to learn more about him. The picture above is John at a recent recording session with the JazzKat™ Bucky Pizzarelli  How much can I say about Bucky Pizzarelli that some hasn't already been said. He is a warm, friendly gentleman that walks softly and carries a big axe. Bucky has played among only the best over his career, from Doc Severinson to Benny Goodman and many others. This is not to say that in any way Bucky is retired , au contraire, he is just as active today, playing all over the world to packed houses with people who love to hear that 7 string sing. Today Bucky continues to record cds playing with some of the top guitarists today including Frank Vignola and Howard Alden, not to mention stepping out on occasions with another guitar virtuoso, John Pizzarelli. If you are looking to hear that swing take a look here: www.jazzbymail.com/artists/pizzarelli_b.html and pick up a couple of Bucky's CDs. I will add this warning; within a few minutes of listening you will have this sudden urge to tap your foot and a big smile will cross your face as this great guitarist fills your soul. Vinnie Carrao Vinnie is one of the top jazz guitar players in tri-state area. His strong bebop style is in the tradition of Tal Farlow and Barney Kessel. With his strong chord style melody playing, fast single note licks and strong rhythm beat, he is at home with any size band or taking it as a solo performer. Vinnie has had a long illustrious career, playing with such greats as Ella Fitzgerald and Jack McDuff, to some of today's hottest jazz players, including Joey DeFrancisco. He has played all over the world including some of the hottest clubs like the Blue Note, and of course, Carnegie Hall. Here, Vinnie is pictured playing one of our JazzKat™ prototypes in a wonderful trio that includes the great coronet sound of Warren Vache and Nicki Parrott on bass. Listen to Vinnie play and it will make you feel like you are back amongst some of the greatest jazz guitar players that ever lived. Jeff Linsky With his masterful technique, endless repertoire, and a remarkable gift for improvisation, internationally-acclaimed guitar virtuoso Jeff Linsky has been sharing his beautiful music with audiences around the world for over three decades. Also an award-winning composer and prolific recording artist, Mr. Linsky has brought enthusiastic audiences to their feet on several continents, from the Sebelius Theater in Helsinki to The Esplanade Theater in Singapore. It is Jeff's ability to improvise polyphonically that has led his recordings to the jazz section. Acoustic Guitar Magazine marvels: "This astonishing guitarist seems to have bridged entirely the troublesome gap between brain and fingers." Guitar Player Magazine raves: "His talent is the stuff guitarists dreams are made of." Jazz legend Jim Hall calls Jeff "an amazing guitar player - he makes everything seem so easy." Earl Klugh agrees: "Jeff is one of my favorite players. He has it all - great technique, a fabulous sound, and a wonderful feel for the instrument." We met Jeff at the 2006 Winter NAMM Show, and were as impressed with his playing as he was with our amplifiers. Look for Jeff on the cover of Just Jazz Guitar Magazine in November 2006. http://jefflinsky.com.   Joshua Breakstone Joshua Breakstone was born July 22, 1955 in Elizabeth, NJ. Through his music loving parents he was exposed to Broadway shows, Broadway show cast recordings, and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Through his older sisters he was exposed to all kinds of other music- including jazz and rock and roll. "My sister Jill worked for the light show at The Fillmore East where I could hear all the bands regularly, especially my then-favorites Jimi Hendrix and Frank Zappa." "I picked up the guitar around the time I was 14 and began playing with an interesting high school group called Moon Unit which consisted of guitar, bass, drums, organ, and flute. It wasn't your typical late sixties rock and roll instrumentation. I was exposed to jazz regularly as a kid, but it never caught my ear until I heard Lee Morgan. Lee's sound was exciting and made me want to hear more jazz. The first jazz people who turned me on were trumpet players, then I heard Charlie Parker." "The fire of Lee Morgan played with grabbed me immediately," he says, "and the way both he and Clifford Brown fully articulated each note has been an ideal toward which I work with regard to the sound I try and get on the guitar. When I heard Bird, I knew I wanted to play like him in the sense of playing things which are meaningful, emotional, and, more than anything else, irresistibly beautiful. The guitar is a real challenge because it tends to be a very visual instrument and lends itself to patterns. In a way, I try and get away from the guitar and into the world where music exists in and of itself, where ideas, articulation and sound exist apart and away from the instrument." At that same time Joshua began studying in Manhattan with Sal Salvador. "Sal was a great teacher, a great person, and eventually became a great friend. He exposed me to a broad range of music and helped me accomplish a lot on the instrument in a relatively short time." In 1972, Breakstone entered New College of the University of South Florida (Sarasota, Florida), where he graduated in three years - including two terms at Berklee College of Music (Boston, Massachusetts)- in 1975 with a degree in jazz studies. After graduation Joshua spent several months in Brazil, then moved back to New York where he taught and performed while taking graduate courses at NYU. In 1979 he made his recording debut on Canadian reedman Glen Hall's Book of the Heart (Sonora Records 101), with JoAnne Brackeen, Cecil McBee, and Billy Hart. During the period leading up to his first recording as a leader in 1983, Wonderful! (Sonora Records 222 with Barry Harris, Earl Sauls, and Leroy Williams), he was residing in New York, performing with people like Vinnie Burke, Warne Marsh, Emily Remler, Dave Schnitter, and Aaron Bell, teaching both privately and at the Rhode Island Conservatory of Music (Providence, Rhode Island). The following year he recorded again for Sonora Records, 4/4=1, with Kenny Barron. In 1986 Breakstone began a four year contract for four recordings with Fantasy Records' Contemporary label. First was Echoes, with Pepper Adams, Kenny Barron, Dennis Irwin, and Keith Copeland, followed by Evening Star the following year with Jimmy Knepper, Tommy Flanagan, Dave Shapiro and Keith Copeland. Self Portrait in Swing followed in early 1989, followed by 1990's Nine By Three, Breakstone's first trio recording, with Dennis Irwin and Kenny Washington. Josh has written, "During the course of my four short years with Contemporary, I spanned two eras in the recording industry in that my first two recordings were released only on LP, my third was released as both LP and CD, and my last, Nine By Three, was released only on CD." www.joshuabreakstone.com   Randy Johnston Electric blues meets bebop with contemporary influences. An exciting convergence of sounds that has made Randy Johnston one of the hottest jazz guitarists both in the United States and abroad. January 2006 marked the release of "Randy Johnston Live", a full length DVD trio recording. This comes on the heels of the audio CD "Is It You?" which was a major hit on jazz radio in 2005. His previous eight CDs "Hit and Run","Detour Ahead", "Homage", "Riding the Curve", "Somewhere in the Night", "In-A-Chord", "Jubilation", and "Walk On" have all recieved critical acclaim and commercial success. Johnston's recordings have throught the years featured an impressive array of sidemen including Grady Tate, Joey De Francesco, Benny Green, Eric Alexander, Idris Muhammad, and the legendary Johnny Griffin among others. These albums feature both original material and compositions drawn from the great American songbook as well as new interpretations of the classic jazz repertoire. Born in Detroit, Michigan in 1956, Randy Johnston moved to Richmond, Virginia when he was thirteen years old. Since arriving in New York after attending the University of Miami, Florida in the late 1970's and early 1980's he has performed and recorded with such jazz notables as Lou Donaldson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Houston Person, Etta Jones, Lionel Hampton, Jack McDuff, Warne Marsh, Lee Konitz, Tom Harrell, and Irene Reid. Randy has toured the world many times concertizing including stints in Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa. In addition to his performance and compositional talents, Randy Johnston has achieved distinction as an educator. He is currently on the jazz faculty at New York University; the State University of New York at Purchase, New York; and the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford, Connecticut. His responsibilities at these institutions include teaching ensembles and master classes as well as private instruction in jazz guitar. From 1991 to 1995 Randy was on the music faculty of Long Island University. He taught at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music during the years 1981 through 1987 and was a teaching assistant at the University of Miami, Florida from 1980 through 1981 while he was earning his music degree. In addition to these long term academic positions, Johnston conducts clinics and seminars on his many travels throughout the United States and abroad. www.randyjohnston.net   Jack Wilkins Guitarist Jack Wilkins has been a part of the international jazz scene for more than four decades. His flawless technique and imaginative chordal approach have inspired collaborations with Chet Baker, Sarah Vaughan, Bob Brookmeyer, Buddy Rich and many others. A native of Brooklyn, Jack began playing guitar at age ten.His mentors included Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, Bill Evans, Clifford Brown, Freddie Hubbard and Johnny Smith Windows, his first album as a leader (Mainstream, 1973,) also available in transcription published by Hal Leonard Corporation, has been critically acclaimed as a dazzling, seminal guitar trio work. Later recordings, Merge, Mexico, Call Him Reckless, Alien Army, Keep in Touch,Heading North, Bluesin', and his latest cd Reunion, feature the Brecker Brothers,Al Foster, Phil Woods, Kenny Drew, Jr., and many others. Project G7, a two CD set tribute to Wes Montgomery, features peerless chordal creativity by Wilkins. In recent years, Wilkins has played at many festivals and played with jazz greats including Stanley Turrentine, Jimmy Heath, The Mingus Epitaph, 5 Guitars play Mingus (primary arranger) and bassist Eddie Gomez. A consummate accompanist, Wilkins has played and recorded with renowned singers, Mel Torme, Ray Charles, Morgana King, Sarah Vaughan, Tony Bennett, Manhattan Transfer, Nancy Marano and Jay Clayton. Wilkins was awarded an NEA grant in recognition of his work and contribution to the guitar. He has been widely and prominently profiled and featured in such publications as Guitar Player, Just Jazz Guitar, Downbeat, 20th Century Guitar and Leonard Feather's Jazz Encyclopedia. Recently Wilkins was invited to the Smithsonian Institution to be part of the Blue Guitars exhibit, and appeared on the P.S.I. first live jazz internet concert. He was also featured as part of the J.V.C. festival tributes to Johnny Smith, Tal Farlow and Herb Ellis and Barney Kessel. Wilkins lives in Manhattan. He teaches at The New School, N.Y.U., Long Island University, and Manhattan School of Music. He was recently invited to judge the Monk Institute Guitar Competitions in Washington. He also conducts seminars and guitar clinics, both in New York and abroad. His Latest CD's, "Reunion", the DVD, “The Benedetto Players in Concert", "The Benedetto Players and Guild Jazzmasters,, and the CD Christmas Jazz Guitar, are all currently available. Phone 212 873-2181   www.jackwilkins.com   Joe Beck During a career spanning five decades, Joe Beck has recorded with an incredible array of artists including Miles Davis (read a great interview with Joe from "The Last MIles" by George Cole) Gil Evans, Duke Ellington, Buddy Rich, Paul Desmond, Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman, Stan Getz, Larry Coryell, Gene Ammons, Sergio Mendez, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Laura Nyro, Houston Person, Roger Kellaway, Richie Havens, Paul Simon, Joe Farrell, James Brown, Gato Barbieri, and countless others. Joe has been composing music for TV and film for thirty years and the recording industry (National Academy of Recording Arts And Sciences) has honored him five times with their Most Valuable Player Award. He has also recorded with the Royal Philharmonic orchestra in London, the Milan Philharmonic in Italy, and The Paris String Ensemble in France. Joe continues to do co-artist albums with a wide range of artists from Mike Mainieri to John Babarian (one of the world's foremost Middle Eastern musicians), to Sabicas (perhaps the greatest of all Flemenco guitarists), and David Sanborn ("Beck /Sanborn" on Columbia) . The most recent being the beautiful Alto Guitar/Vocal duo with Deborah Brown, "I Found My Thrill". Joe also arranged and produced many records including projects for Frank Sinatra, Gloria Gaynor, and two albums for Esther Phillips including her hit single, "What A Difference A Day Makes". Along the way Joe was signed to contracts with Columbia, Polydor, Verve, Gryphon, CTI, and MGM Records. Since the late '80's he has recorded four albums ("Relaxin'" , "Friends" ,"Back To Beck" , "The Journey") on the DMP label. as well as "Fingerpainting", on the Wavetone label which features Bill Evans on sax, Danny Gottlieb on drums, and Mark Egan on bass. www.joebeckmusic.com   Sheryl Bailey Guitarist Sheryl Bailey is rated among the foremost bop-based guitarists to have emerged from the 90’s. Her attack can be direct and hard swinging, but she also exudes subtlety, elegance of phrase and a pure, warm liquid sound. Bill Milkowski has written about her: “A modernist burner with and abundance of Pat Martino-style chops, Bailey prefers angular lines, odd harmonies, and the occasional touch of dissonance as she sails up and down the fretboard with fluid abandon,” – Jazz Times Magazine, February 2005. Her musical activities aren’t confined to strictly the orthodox bop based jazz tradition. She has toured and recorded with bass virtuoso Richard Bona, is a member of David Krakauer’s Klezmer Madness, pop diva Irene Cara, urban folk and jazz artist KJ Denhert, George Garzone and Gary Thomas. She has 5 solo releases; the latest two feature her organ trio, The Sheryl Bailey 3 (Ian Froman on drums and organist Gary Versace). Her most current release is “Live @ the Fat Cat” recorded in NYC at one of NYC’s most respected jazz haven She is also in demand as an educator. She has been an Assistant Professor of Guitar at the esteemed Berklee College of Music since 2000, and has been a popular clinician for The National Guitar Workshop, The Stanford Jazz Workshop, Berklee in LA, Berklee Umbria, The Duquesne Guitar Seminar, UARTS in Philadelphia, Southern Cross University in Australia, GIT, and the Los Angeles Music Academy. Her book, “Moveable Shapes: Concepts for Reharmonizing II-V-I’s” will be available from Mel Bay in 2007, in addition to a composition/solo in the “Anthology of Jazz Masters, vol IV. – also from Mel Bay. www.sherylbailey.com   Ulf Wakenius Ulf Wakenius was born in Halmstad, Sweden on April 16, 1958. He began playing the guitar at the age of 11, inspired by other guitarists in the neighbourhood of his new hometown, Gothenburg. Ulf Wakenius has since 1997 held what may be the most prestigious spot in jazz for a guitarist-membership in the legendary Oscar Peterson Quartet. His predecessors have been such greats as Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis, and Joe Pass. He has performed at such classic jazz venues as Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, the Blue Notes, and recently played sold out shows with Oscar Peterson at the Royal Albert Hall, Chicago Symphony Hall, Palais Des Congres, Wiener Konzerthaus, Massey Hall, Teatro Colon-Buenos Aires, Stravinski Hall-Montreaux and Tokyo International Forum Hall. His latest concert with Oscar Peterson at Monterey International Jazzfestival was filmed by Clint Eastwood. At 2003 he performed in a highly successful duo concert with Pat Metheny at Jazz Baltica in Germany. The concert was also televised on German TV. His latest release was “Notes From The Heart” on the great German label ACT.Playing the music of Keith Jarrett on guitar. The CD received raving reviews all over the world. He has played and recorded with the who´s who of the jazz world a.o. Oscar Peterson, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, Ray Brown, Michael Brecker, Joe Henderson, Phil Woods, Clark Terry, Johnny Griffin, Toots Thielemans, Jack DeJohnette, Max Roach, Jim Hall, Art Farmer, Benny Golson, James Moody, Hank Jones, Roy Hargrove and Michel Legrand. http://profile.myspace.com/ulfwakenius   Chaz Depaolo Having recently been invited to play at the Jimi Hendricks Tribute Concert in B. B. Kings, NYC, Chaz DePaolo is a guitarist and vocalist who plays a type of Blues he calls "Hard Rockin Blues Fusion". Chaz performs traditional Blues forms with a hard rock style of Blues guitar including elements of Jazz and Fusion. Reviewers have likened his style to that of Rory Gallagher and Hendrix. Chaz will be recording a full length cd as well with the original rhythm section of the British Blues band The Groundhogs. The Groundhogs have recorded with John Lee Hooker and have backed such Blues ledgends as Little Walter and Jimmy Reed. Chaz and The Groundhogs rhythm section have taken Chaz's new Blues sound and coupled it with the unique sound of The Groundhogs to create something fresh and exciting. Once the cd is complete Chaz DePaolo and The Groundhogs will begin a European Tour and will be featured at many Festivals in England and the European continent. He is currently recording a new release called "Flirtin' Acoustic". This cd will include original tracks as well as interpretations of other blues classics. Chaz will be featured performing on acoustic and bottleneck guitar in a very stripped down and etheral setting:Due Spring 2007. He is a huge Jazz fan and sites John Coltrane as a major influence as well as Lou Donaldson and Eric Dolphy. Chaz feels that horn players are truly the great improvisers of music. By listening to instruments other than guitar Chaz has been able to craft a truly unique sound. www.chazdepaolo.com Andreas Öberg Andreas was born in Stockholm on August 6, 1978. At the age of 18, Andreas made a name for himself on the vibrant Swedish jazz scene performing with many of Sweden's top jazz artists and he was also admitted to the Royal Music Academy in Stockholm. During recent years Andreas Öberg has been working with his own projects as well as performing with artists in many different styles such as Les Paul, Barbara Hendricks, Jimmy Rosenberg, Putte Wickman, Joe Beck, Bruce Forman, Frank Vignola, Bucky Pizzarelli, Ulf Wakenius, Joey DeFransesco, Mark Murphy, Stochelo Rosenberg, Angelo Andreas Öberg was born in Stockholm on August 6, 1978. At the age of 18, Andreas made a name for himself on the vibrant Swedish jazz scene performing with many of Swedens top jazz artists and he was also admitted to the Royal Music Academy in Stockholm. Andreas Öberg plays both mainstream jazz, modern jazz and gypsy swing (Django Reinhardt-style). Andreas playing has impressed jazz listeners all over the world, with his energy, swing and technique. Andreas has made 3 solo albums + one DVD and one instructional book so far. Andreas Öberg has performed on TV & radio and has also been featured in several international jazz and guitar magazines. Tony DeCaprio  Guitarist, Author, Teacher… and Lifelong Student of Jazz It's a cliché, but a truism nonetheless, that experience is the best teacher. There's no substitute for being there, doing it - whatever it is - and learning from both the positive and negative aspects of the experience. Jazz guitarist Tony DeCaprio draws upon a lifetime of remarkable experiences in his current role as a performer, author and teacher. In his 40th year as a professional musician, he's performed all over the world as guitarist with such name artists as Elvis Presley, Diana Ross, Ann-Margaret, Tom Jones, Rosemary Clooney, Tina Turner, Mel Torme, Wayne Cochran & The CC Riders, Doc Severinsen, Dean Martin and Erroll Garner (to name but a few!). Don't be fooled, however, by the musical diversity of these performers: DeCaprio is at heart a deeply committed jazz artist, and proudly notes his performances with James Moody, Carl Fontana, Sam Noto, Monk Montgomery, Tommy Tedesco, Sid Jacobs, Jimmy Bruno and many other jazz artists. Further, he has studied with such luminaries as Jimmy Raney, Jim Hall, Joe Pass, Barry Gailbraith, Joe Sgro, Dennis Sandole and Joe Valenti. After spending several years in France and in Atlanta, DeCaprio has been back in New York City since 2003. There, he performs in jazz duo and trio settings, teaches locally and corresponds globally with guitarists who want to improve their artistry. In the past, he taught at the University of Nevada and the University of Hawaii. He remains in demand in the U.S. and in Europe as a performer and teacher. DeCaprio has authored two instructional guitar books, Gateway to Guitar Improvisation (Hal Leonard Publishing, endorsed by Jim Hall, Lee Ritenour and others) and The Fourth Note Principle (Le Principe dela 4eme Note), published in France. He's now writing a new book, Strategic Picking and the Improvised Lines. He's also a contributing columnist for Just Jazz Guitar magazine and hosts an online chat group/bulletin board at morejazzguitar@yahoogroups.com. DeCaprio's own right-hand approach, called "strategic picking," which is featured in his upcoming book, is derived from Sgro's technique. In addition to his studies in target notes and right-hand technique, DeCaprio teaches memory training as well as a color-coded learning system, based on his own ability to see each of the 12 notes as a distinct color. Whatever techniques he applies, Tony DeCaprio remains committed to his quest as a jazz guitarist and teacher. "Jazz is formidable. It's 100 percent," DeCaprio says. "You've got to devote all your time to it. Once you get into 100 percent improvising, not just mimicking, you're hooked. It's like an opiate. It takes a whole lifetime to really master the idiom. There are young players who are good, but there's also another thing that's acquired by many years of doing it." Quote: "There is such a thing as a good addiction...I am addicted to my JazzKat amp!!" www.tonydecaprio.com Mark Mosley Since performing at the Montreux Jazz Festival at age of seventeen. Mark has performed jazz in venues of Korea, Germany, Spain, and in several top jazz locations within the United States led by folks such as Lou Donaldson, Gary Bartz, Keter Betts, himself and others. Mark is an educator in the Baltimore City Public School system. Mark received endorsement deals from JazzKat amps and D'angelico guitars.  His current CD Mark's Mood was reviewed very favorably in the Nov. issue of JazzImprov magazine. Mark retired from the D.E Army National Guard in August 2007.  His website is: www.guitaristmarkmosley.com