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Michael Coppola

"You're onto something there, you're a real innovator" Les Paul, The Iridium, 4/14/2008

Michael Coppola began playing guitar at the age of eleven. His musical foundation, which began with instruction from guitarist Ritchie Lengel, was later developed through the combination of classical fingerstyle studies and lessons with jazz artist Sal Salvador. He pursued his education at the Boston Conservatory of Music; in Austria, at Die Hochschule Fuer Music, where he studied serial and atonal composition with Guenther Kahowitz, and later in Manhattan with jazz master Walter Bishop Jr.

In 1980 Michael won 1st place in the Ovation Guitar Company's national competition. He released his "Jet Blue" recording in 1987. The album, which received international attention, is a collection of jazz standards and originals all played on unaccompanied nylon string guitar.

Playing in a trio with master pianist John Mehegan inspired Coppola to overstep the technical boundaries of the guitar. In an attempt to achieve those same tightly-voiced chords and pedaled legato phrases used by contemporary jazz keyboardists, he created the concept of the 8 string guitar. This original design, which Coppola commissioned from luthier James DeCava, requires inner, rather than extra bass or treble side strings. In 1997 Michael recorded "Virtuoso Too" on his new instrument.

In 2000 Michael Coppola expanded his own idea to incorporate a 9th string. This guitar, also built by luthier James DeCava, is known in jazz guitar circles as "The Hydra." On this instrument, Michael has recorded 7 more albums. Reviews of Coppola's work are filled with descriptions like "unique," "different," "mindboggling," "magical," "inventive" etc.

Michael Coppola's album "Return Of The Hydra" was chosen as a top ten pick for the year 2002 in Coda Magazine. His original composition "Movin" ( released on the "New Impressions" album) was a runner up in the 2002 John Lennon Song Competition. Reviews and articles about his work have appeared in numerous magazines including Guitar Player, Just Jazz Guitar, 20th Century Guitar, Fingerstyle Guitar, etc.

In July of 2004, Michael attended the CAAS festival in Nashville , TN, and began incorporating the music styles of Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, Albert Lee and others into his own unique style (Monster Guitar). Since then, he has returned as a performer in 05, 06, 07 and 09, 10, 11 and 12

Michael performs at national guitar shows, Namm, festivals and concerts as well as smaller venues in New England. He is also on the New England Commission For The Arts Touring Roster.

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Album Review

Michael Coppola: New Impressions

Read "New Impressions" reviewed by Matt Merewitz


Guitarist Michael Coppola’s newest release, New Impressions, is a gem. With a crew of talented sidemen, Coppola has showcased his rare skills on 9-string guitar while also showcasing his compositional skills. On acoustic bass Coppola has Jim Andrews, on alto sax Tim Moran, and on drums Arti Dixson. A varied stylistic program provides the listener a good idea of the range of styles the musicians are capable of capturing.

The laid-back modal opener, “Movin,” immediately brings you back ...

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"an artist with big ears for harmonic invention" lois moody "fast arpeggios and glissando defy guitar logic" there is evidence that michael coppola is right and other 6 and 7 string players are missing something Andy Mackensie "listening to this cd you will realize the musical genius and the technical capability of MC" Dr Frank Forte "a mixture of precision and beauty" Jim Fisch "it sounds as if there are 2 Johnny Smiths playing" David Nathan " jazz guitar music at it's finest" Lee Prosser

VOICINGS IN MY HEAD (CD) "George Van Eps taken to a new galaxy" cadence jan,feb,mar 2012 "Michael's playing is remarkable, with interesting runs and deep harmonies

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

New Impressions

Independent Records
2003

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