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Chris Buzzelli

Chris Buzzelli began playing guitar in 1968 at the age of 9. While still in high school, he began teaching and playing professionally. Around that time he also started to become interested in jazz. After studying with a few teachers in his hometown of Trenton, New Jersey, Buzzelli enrolled at Trenton State College (now the College of New Jersey) where he majored in classical guitar and studied with Alice Artzt. He also studied in Philadelphia with the great teacher Dennis Sandole during that time. After completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in classical guitar performance, he attended graduate school at North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas) where he studied with guitarist Jack Petersen and was a recipient of scholarships in both jazz and classical guitar and a member of the prestigious One O'clock Lab Band. In 1983 he completed a Master of Music Education degree with a specialization in jazz education.

In 1984, Buzzelli joined the faculty of Bowling Green State University where he continues to serve as Professor of Music and director of the guitar program. A number of graduates of this guitar program have gone on to direct guitar programs at other major universities. In addition to his responsibilities for teaching jazz and classical guitar, he has taught in the areas of jazz history, arranging, pedagogy, and small jazz ensembles. He has written articles for Jazz Educators Journal, Just Jazz Guitar, and American String Teacher, and has a number of projects published, or soon to be published by Mel Bay Publications. His publications of arrangements and original compositions for jazz guitar ensemble are played by ensembles around the world. On the campus of Bowling Green State University, Buzzelli has performed with artists such as Joe Pass, Herb Ellis, Cal Collins, Mike Stern, Tal Farlow, Jack Wilkins, Randy Johnston, Joshua Breakstone, Mark Elf, Frank Vignola and Gene Bertoncini. In 1993, he was asked to appear on the Schoolkids' Records debut of organist Winston Walls, "Boss of the B-3", which also featured the legendary Jack McDuff. This eventually led to his first release as a leader, "What Goes Around", where he is featured in solo, duo, and trio settings on both six and seven string guitar. He has also done some recording for American Archtop Guitars, and the Just Jazz Guitar, Vol. 1 compilation.

Buzzelli maintains an active playing schedule, mostly in the Northwest Ohio area, but has also played in some nationally recognized venues including the Classic American Guitar Show in Long Island, New York and the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society event held each summer in Nashville.

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144
Album Review

Gianluigi Trovesi: Vaghissimo Ritratto

Read "Vaghissimo Ritratto" reviewed by Martin Gladu


Bergamo-born clarinetist Gianluigi Trovesi's Vaghissimo Ritratto is a celebration. His sumptuous chamber trio with pianist Umberto Petrin and electronic/acoustic percussionist Fulvio Maras celebrates the vague impression time-tested melodies create when breathed new life through collective improvisation.

In his ever-perceptive liner notes, writer/producer Steve Lake remarks; “[it] is a journey through melody, one that encompasses centuries, from Josquin Des Prés (d.1521) to the present, with a focus on cellist-composer Alfredo Piatti's (d.1901) legacy. Here, Piatti's pieces, as well as six spontaneous ...

116
Album Review

Chris Buzzelli: I Can Pick My Friends

Read "I Can Pick My Friends" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Chris Buzzelli, who picks his friends as carefully and perceptively as he picks his seven-string American Archtop, has chosen three of the country’s most accomplished Jazz guitarists, Gene Bertoncini, Randy Johnston and Jack Wilkins, to share the ride on his second album as a leader. Each of them is on board for three numbers, with Buzzelli, pianist Russell Schmidt, bassist Jeff Halsey and drummer Roger Schupp making up a quartet on the other three.

My weightiest problem ...

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115

Performance / Tour

DHR Music Experience Opening Celebration Series #2

DHR Music Experience Opening Celebration Series #2

Source: All About Jazz

Get ready for the experience of a lifetime. DHR Music is proud to announce the second in the series of grand opening celebrations for DHR Music Experience. A successful internet-based guitar dealer, the company expanded its efforts by offering a unique showroom experience. DHRME is located at 9466 Montgomery Rd in the historic section of Montgomery, Ohio. In addition to selling world-class instruments and related products, DHR Music is focused on creating a total experience, promoting the concept of music ...

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