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Vinny Valentino
Guitarist Composer Vinny Valentino continues to redefine musical genres, to the acclaim of audiences worldwide. His international debut recording, The Distance Between Two Lines, shot straight up the charts to #2 and stayed on the national charts for more than 14 weeks-an unprecedented achievement for a first international release. Paul Anthony of Jazz Unlimited called it "one of the top five albums of 1993." Vinny's 1996 international release, Now and Again, extended his critical acclaim. George Benson refers to Vinny as a "young genius with brilliant tone and fresh ideas." Vintage Guitar Magazine writes "wonderful jazz player with killer chops, wonderful compositional skills�"(March 1997). "Valentino doesn't hide behind reconstituted Wes Montgomery licks like so many guitarists these days... crafty fingerings�. delectable originals" (Gavin Jazz, May 10.1996). Ralph Mitchell of WFSK-FM raves, "My goodness. Talk about hot house jazz that CD is smoking!!" Versatile is an understatement when describing guitarist and composer, Vinny Valentino. Playing guitar since age six, this native Virginian began touring in a progressive rock band while still in high school. At age 16, influenced by the music of George Benson, Vinny began pursuing Jazz as a career. He recalls, "The turning point for me was hearing George Benson in concert; I had never heard anybody play like that. It was an eye-opening experience." Vinny earned his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies at Howard University. He began his musical studies at Northern Virginia Community College and continued them at George Mason University before concentrating on jazz at Howard. In 1988, he released his first solo recording entitled, Vinny Valentino, and now has six recordings to his credit. Endorsements include Yamaha Guitars and Pro Audio, D'Addario strings, Cakewalk Music Software, Cad Microphones and TKL Cases. Vinny has shared the stage or recording studio with such jazz greats as Steve Smith, Tom Coster, Russell Ferrante, Tom Scott, Gary Bartz, Jeff Andrews, John Benitez, John Pattitucci, Randy Brecker, Bob Moses, George Benson, Steve Gadd, Chick Corea, Dennis Chambers, and Jimmy McGriff. . Vinny appeared with his band as the feature performers on BET's jazz cable program, "Bet on Jazz." This one-hour feature program became one of the top five requested programs on "Bet on Jazz". One of the first musicians to perform live on the World Wide Web, Vinny continues to pioneer on the Internet with online clinics, performances and lessons at http://www.vinny.com. Vinny's compositions have been recorded by John Benitez, George Benson, and Steve Haas and are featured in the "All Jazz Real Book." The National Endowment for the Arts and the Virginia Commission for the Arts have recognized Vinny's talents as composer, arranger, and recording artist with a grant for a series of works entitled "New Music for Three Guitars." Based in New York City, Vinny tours extensively, playing concerts, festivals, and club engagements around the world.
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Joe McCarthy's New York Afro Bop Alliance Big Band: The Pan American Nutcracker Suite
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by Jack Bowers
Yes, Peter Tchaikovsky's timeless Nutcracker Suite is basically holiday music; and, yes, the 2022 holiday season is squarely in everyone's rear-view mirror. Even so, there is always room for a fresh approach to the annual festive staple, which is what drummer Joe McCarthy's New York Afro Bop Alliance Big Band brings to The Pan American Nutcracker Suite. The Nutcracker has been rhythmically amended before, but never quite like this, as McCarthy and the band use the strong ...
read moreJoe McCarthy's Afro Bop Alliance Big Band: The Pan American Nutcracker Suite
![Read "The Pan American Nutcracker Suite" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/f3fa1d5acca8540288113b9490a9082b.jpg)
by Richard J Salvucci
"The Nutcracker" is a holiday staple and, as many musical and dance companies around the United States and Europe will tell you, thank Heaven for it. The musicians and performers may eventually lose their sanity from repeat performances, but the ballet is a money-maker as sure as holiday sales generate commercial profits for retailers. Besides, someone is inevitably hearing it for the first time, and childreneven some adultsseem to enjoy it. This year, the season starts early with ...
read moreGuitarist Vinny Valentino New Member of Steve Smith's Vital Information
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Source:
All About Jazz
Guitarist Vinny Valentino is announced as new member of Steve Smith's Vital Information.
Jazz Supergroup Vital Information has announced details about replacing long-time guitarist Frank Gambale with guitarist and composer Vinny Valentino. Vital Information will be introducing Valentino to audiences in the USA starting on July 5th and 6th at Yoshi's Jazz Club in Oakland, CA.
Vinny Valentino has shared the stage or recording studio with such jazz greats as Tom Scott, Gary Bartz, Jeff Andrews, John Benitez, John Pattitucci, ...
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Vinny Valentino signs with Two for the Show Media
![Vinny Valentino signs with Two for the Show Media](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/logo/bd38a72ed12128b10ddc05c6087dacb8.jpg)
Source:
All About Jazz
Two for the Show Media is pleased to announce the addition of Vinny Valentino to their client roster. Valentino has shared the stage or recording studio with such jazz greats as Tom Scott, Gary Bartz, Jeff Andrews, John Benitez, John Pattitucci, Richie Morales, Bob Moses, George Benson, Keter Betts, Steve Gadd, Patrice Rushen, Charlie Byrd, Buck Hill, and Jimmy McGriff. Vinny and his band have opened for Ramsey Lewis, Joey DeFrancesco, Spyro Gyra, Steve Morse, Paco deLucia, and David Crosby. ...
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