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Jimmy Bruno

Jimmy Bruno, born July 22, 1953 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a master jazz guitarist and jazz educator. One of the most critically acclaimed jazz guitarist performing today, Jimmy Bruno came to prominence as a jazz musician in the 1990’s, after a successful twenty-year career as a sought-after commercial guitarist and session musician.

“Get on the bus-we leave tonight”

Those were the words that began Jimmy Bruno’s professional career as a guitarist. Most of the other guitarists auditioning for Buddy Rich’s band that day in 1973 were getting drumsticks thrown at them, Buddy’s not-so-subtle way of showing disapproval. But not 19 year-old Jimmy; he got the gig. A Philadelphia native, he was born into a family no strangers to the music world. Jimmy’s father played guitar on the 1959 hit “Guitar Boogie Shuffle” with Frank Virtue. Jimmy’s mom was a gifted singer.

Living in such a musical household, playing guitar 8 to 10 hours a day was normal for this south Philly kid. He hungrily soaked up everything his father could teach him, landing on national television at age 13, the winner of the Ted Mack Original Amateur Hour. Soon he was studying jazz improvisation with local bass legend Al Stauffer. To develop technique, he taught himself to play the violin etudes of Wohlfahrt and Paganini. Although he briefly considered leveraging his perfect SAT scores into medical school, a summer guitar gig in Wildwood NJ (with Larry Cartell), changed the direction of Jimmy’s life forever. He was 17 and has never had a job unrelated to guitar playing since.

After a whirlwind round-the-world tour as the youngest member of the Buddy Rich Orchestra, he went on to play guitar in orchestras for Frank Sinatra, Wayne Newton, Lena Horne, and many more music icons. During his years as an LA session musician with Tommy Tedesco, Jimmy played on dozens of TV and film scores. But his first love was always jazz, and by the time he was in his mid-thirties he was ready to come out of the background and into the spotlight.

Paying his dues by playing blistering guitar in the small clubs and venues around his beloved Philadelphia during the 1980’s, his reputation as one of the hottest guitar players grew. In 1992 he landed a multi-CD recording deal with legendary jazz label Concord Records. Since then Jimmy has recorded over 13 critically acclaimed CDs, including “Sleight of Hand,” “Like That,” and “Polarity.” His most recent CD “Maplewood Avenue” (Affiliated Artists Records) was described as having “…a 'classic' feel to it...like a famous album we somehow hadn't discovered yet.” Jimmy performs constantly as leader of the Jimmy Bruno Trio in jazz venues and jazz festivals around the world, including the Iridium in New York and Blues Alley in Washington DC. He is often described as one of the greatest jazz guitarists of all time.

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Live Review

Andrea Clearfield Salon: 32 Year Anniversary Celebration

Read "Andrea Clearfield Salon: 32 Year Anniversary Celebration" reviewed by Victor L. Schermer


Jimmy Bruno and other Jazz Artists Andrea Clearfield Salon 32 Year Anniversary Celebration Philadelphia, PA September 30, 2018 For thirty-two years, Andrea Clearfield's Salon has been a unique monthly musical event held at her Center City Philadelphia home with a large two-story high living room and a grand piano perfect for the occasion. At these salons, musicians and serious music aficianados gather for an evening of short performances by some ...

1,104
Interview

Jimmy Bruno: From Surgery and Carjackings to His Guitar Institute

Read "Jimmy Bruno:  From Surgery and Carjackings to His Guitar Institute" reviewed by Edward Zucker


Jimmy Bruno's stature as one of jazz's top hard bop guitarist is undisputed. His career as a musician and educator warrants the numerous times that he has been interviewed at All About Jazz. In this interview with AAJ contributor Edward Zucker, Bruno discusses his current CD, Maplewood Avenue (Affiliated Artists, LLC, 2007), the Jimmy Bruno Guitar Institute, carpal tunnel surgery and a near carjacking. He also offers his uncensored opinion on numerous other topics. Surgery All ...

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Multiple Reviews

Jimmy Bruno: Maplewood Avenue & Jazz Hits, Vol. 1

Read "Jimmy Bruno: Maplewood Avenue & Jazz Hits, Vol. 1" reviewed by Tom Greenland


Jimmy Bruno Maplewood Avenue Affiliated Artists 2007 MB3 Jazz Hits, Vol. 1 Mel Bay 2006

Jimmy Bruno, one of the most technically proficient yet stylistically-nuanced hard bop guitarists to emerge from the lineage of fellow Pennsylvanians Pat Martino and George Benson, remains a guitarist's guitarist -- if not a trendsetter, certainly ...

246
Album Review

Jimmy Bruno: Maplewood Avenue

Read "Maplewood Avenue" reviewed by Jerry D'Souza


Guitarist Jimmy Bruno opts for the quiet mood, which he sets up with Tony Miceli (vibraphone) and Jeff Pedras (bass), on several of the tunes on Maplewood Avenue. The accent is on chamber jazz but they move out of it on occasion, to lend a welcome balance.

The trio sets an intimate atmosphere and lure the listener into the center of that spell. The impact is immediate, as the three ventures into “Maplewood Avenue. The melody has a lilt that ...

279
Album Review

Jimmy Bruno: Maplewood Avenue

Read "Maplewood Avenue" reviewed by Mark Corroto


What is it about Philadelphia boxers and musicians? And I'm not talking about Rocky Balboa, he's fictional, rather Joe Frazier and Bernard Hopkins. No one in their right mind would get in the ring with Sonny Liston. Same with musicians, some of the baddest players one could find in late night “cutting contests were Joe Venuti, Philly Joe Jones, Grover Washington Jr. and, while not born in Philly, both Dizzy Gillespie and John Coltrane can be claimed as sons.

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Album Review

Jimmy Bruno: Solo

Read "Solo" reviewed by Alex K. Fong


A lot of musicians first learn their craft through the various method books produced by Mel Bay Publications. And so it is within reason to expect outstanding technique on the recordings recorded by Mel Bay Records.

Solo , guitarist Jimmy Bruno's first album for the fledgling label, doesn't disappoint on that score. It's a fiercely swung set of standards and originals featuring walking bass lines, sweep-picked arpeggios, and whole tone scales imaginatively deployed on solo guitar. There's even ...

248
Album Review

Jimmy Bruno: Midnight Blue

Read "Midnight Blue" reviewed by Mark Corroto


Guitarist Jimmy Bruno, known for his flawless bop guitar, spreads himself in many directions for his latest disc, a seventh for Concord records. The Philadelphia native's adventure on Midnight Blue takes him from modal jazz to jazz-funk and soul, in other words, a 21st century 'back to the future.'

This session, recorded with an all-Philly lineup, may ruffle the traditionalist a bit with Bruno's heavy nod towards the Mister magic days of Grover Washington Jr. and all its soulful spin-offs. ...

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Performance / Tour

Eric Alexander With The Jimmy Bruno Trio At Chris' Jazz Cafe On December 14 & 15, 2012

Eric Alexander With The Jimmy Bruno Trio At Chris' Jazz Cafe On December 14 & 15, 2012

Source: All About Jazz

Chris' Jazz Café presents saxophonist Eric Alexander with the Jimmy Bruno Trio, Friday and Saturday December 14 & 15, 2012. Since placing second in 1991 to Joshua Redman in the Thelonious Monk Institute's saxophone competition, Alexander equally impressive on hard swinging numbers and romantic ballads has played on well over 100 albums featuring some of the biggest names in jazz. Alexander has been a frequent performer and guest artist at Chris', where has performed with Pat Martino, Bootsie Barnes, Larry ...

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Recording

Jimmy Bruno and Chuck Anderson work on a new recording project!

Jimmy Bruno and Chuck Anderson work on a  new recording project!

Source: Chuck Anderson

Master guitarists Jimmy Bruno and Chuck Anderson are currently composing material for an exciting new project entitled Images for Two Jazz Guitars. The talented tandem are also planning live performances as well as master classes and other educational platforms in support of it. Their goal is to explore new musical territory with both the compositions and the instrumentation of each piece. Tracks will find their own direction and require unique instrumentation and don't be surprised to hear a cello and ...

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Performance / Tour

Master Jazz Guitarist Jimmy Bruno Announces Virtual Jazz Cafe to Bring High Quality Live Performance to the Internet

Master Jazz Guitarist Jimmy Bruno Announces Virtual Jazz Cafe to Bring High Quality Live Performance to the Internet

Source: Public Emily

Master Jazz Guitarist Jimmy Bruno Announces His Own Virtual Jazz Cafe To Bring High Quality Live Performance To The Internet

As music venues close and musicians are less likely to travel all over the United States due to tough economic times, Master Jazz guitarist and educator Jimmy Bruno is creating his own Virtual Jazz Cafe. This project will present live jazz in an intimate setting over the internet for little or no cost to people around the world. Jimmy Bruno's ...

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Education

Andreas Oberg and Jimmy Bruno Form the Artistworks Guitar Project

Andreas Oberg and Jimmy Bruno Form the Artistworks Guitar Project

Source: Michael Ricci

Two of today's greatest jazz guitarists collaborate for the first time ever for 5 intense days in Napa California at the studio of ArtistWorks. Video footage of the Guitar Project and behind the scenes video and audio are to be released. So what happens when two world class guitarists get together for the first time? What if you close the door and tell them “go do something new together"? Jimmy Bruno and Andreas Oberg had never met until a few ...

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Website

Guitar Talk with Jimmy Bruno on The AAJ Bulletin Board

Guitar Talk with Jimmy Bruno on The AAJ Bulletin Board

Source: All About Jazz

Musician? If so, you're invited to join us this month on the All About Jazz bulletin board where world-renowned guitarist and educator Jimmy Bruno is talking jazz and fielding questions.

Follow the thread, post a question, or say hello!

About Jimmy Bruno

Jimmy Bruno, born July 22, 1953 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a master jazz guitarist and jazz educator. One of the most critically acclaimed jazz guitarists performing today, Jimmy Bruno came to prominence as a ...

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Education

Jimmy Bruno Guitar Institute Shatters Enrollment Projections, Introduces Proprietary Technology

Jimmy Bruno Guitar Institute Shatters Enrollment Projections, Introduces Proprietary Technology

Source: All About Jazz

Strong worldwide demand drives an unprecedented success of the very popular online learning institute, the Jimmy Bruno Guitar Institute. Through video interchanges, students in 40 countries are converging on one site to learn jazz around the world. This leading edge video technology combined with full accessibility to a veteran jazz master signals a breakthrough in learning on the internet. The growth has been phenomenal and gratifying Napa, CA -- The Internet-based Jimmy Bruno Guitar Institute (JBGI) announces today that it ...

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Performance / Tour

Jimmy Bruno at Chris' Jazz Cafe 8:00PM, 10:00PM

Jimmy Bruno at Chris' Jazz Cafe 8:00PM, 10:00PM

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

02/02/2008 CHRIS'S JAZZ CAFE 8:00pm, 10:00pm Chris' Jazz Cafe 1421 Sansom Street Philadelphia, PA 19102 215-568-3131

Craig Thomas (Bass), Sid Simmons (Piano), Webb Thomas (Drums)

Students at all levels, no matter where they live, now have unfettered access to a true guitar master.

About Affiliated Artists, LLC: Affiliated Artists works with a highly selected number of entrepreneurial and energetic musicians and is a cooperative ...

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Interview

Guitarist Jimmy Bruno Interviewed at AAJ

Guitarist Jimmy Bruno Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz

Jimmy Bruno's stature as one of jazz's top hard bop guitarist is undisputed. His career as a musician and educator warrants the numerous times that he has been interviewed at All About Jazz.

In this interview with AAJ contributor Edward Zucker, Bruno discusses his current CD, Maplewood Avenue (Affiliated Artists, LLC, 2007), the Jimmy Bruno Guitar Institute, carpal tunnel surgery and a near carjacking. He also offers his uncensored opinion on numerous other topics.

Check out Jimmy Bruno: From Surgery ...

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Performance / Tour

Jimmy Bruno & Joe Beck Perform at Jazz Month 2007

Jimmy Bruno & Joe Beck Perform at Jazz Month 2007

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

"Polarity" guitarists Jimmy Bruno & Joe Beck will be the finale performance of Jazz Month 2007 in Monmouth County New Jersey the Sunday after Thanksgiving. The Monmouth County Library hosts a month long series of renowned jazz musicians who perform every Sunday. Throughout November, the Jazz Month 2007 supplements the performances with jazz discussions and films for patrons and members. This week, on November 25 at 2PM, the recording Polarity recording duo will perform together once again and close out ...

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Performance / Tour

Jimmy Bruno Trio at Iridium Jazz Club Tonight

Jimmy Bruno Trio at Iridium Jazz Club Tonight

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

IRIDIUM JAZZ CLUB 1650 BROADWAY (Corner of 51st) NEW YORK, NY 10023 RESERVATIONS: 212-582-2121 Sets At 8:00 & 10:00PM Effective immediately, minimums are $10/person/set for all

Oct. 17 JIMMY BRUNO Jimmy Bruno-Guitar, Craig Thomas-Bass, Webb Thomas-drums

Jimmy brings his straightahead style back to the Iridium Jazz Club on WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 17TH. Expect a very entertaining and inspired evening of Jimmy's striking agility, clean lines and vintage Bruno improvisation. ...

"You couldn't say Jimmy Bruno is grand or great... He's all those. He is tops!" —Hank Garland

"Jazz guitarists just don’t come any better. Jimmy Bruno combines a dazzling virtuoso technique with drive and swing to produce, in concert and on record, superb and inspired lyrical improvisations." —Maurice J. Summerfield, Author of The Jazz Guitar Guide

"...Jimmy Bruno has no peers. His taste, concept and technique is unsurpassed as a jazz guitar player..." —Johnny Smith

Primary Instrument

Guitar

Location

Philadelphia

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Improvisation is the heart of jazz. I'll show you how to do right; give you exercises to lock it in tight. I’ll teach you the fundamentals of chords and chord soloing (you'll never need a chord encyclopedia again).

It’s all about the music. We’ll apply what you’ve learned to the song of your choice (or I’ll get you started on tone of the jazz standards).

I'll teach you how to practice productively

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Paul Colombo
guitar, electric
Don Price
guitar, acoustic
Zock Organ Trio
band / ensemble / orchestra

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Maplewood Avenue

Affiliated Artists, LLC
2007

buy

Solo

Mel Bay Records
2004

buy

Midnight Blue

Concord Music Group
2001

buy

Polarity

Concord Music Group
2000

buy

Live At Birdland II

Concord Music Group
1999

buy

Live at Birdland

Concord Music Group
1998

buy

Maplewood Avenue

From: Maplewood Avenue
By Jimmy Bruno

Videos

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