Born: February 17, 1969 Primary Instrument: Guitar
Giovan Guido was born in Naples Italy on Feb. 17th 1969. He began playing guitar at the age of eight. In July 1991, he graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. In 1992, he traveled to Los Angeles and while attending the Guitar Institute in Hollywood he formed a jazz-funk trio. In Los Angeles he met Wayne Henderson (Jr) who later introduced him to his internationally famous father, Wayne Henderson (Senior), leader of the Jazz Crusaders. Giovan went on to record with Wayne Henderson on his album “Sketches of Life” by Wayne Henderson and the Next Crusade. From June 1994 to November 1998, Giovan became a permanent band member of the Jazz Crusaders, touring with the band in Europe, USA, Japan and China. Some of the performances include, but are not limited to: North Sea Jazz Festival, Jazz a Vienne, Umbria Jazz, Pori Jazz Festival, Nice Jazz Festival Montreux Jazz Festival, St. Lucie Jazz Festival, Parnu Jazz Festival, and the Brecon Jazz Festival. In 1998, Giovan Guido played lead guitar in the album “Break'n da Rulz” by the Jazz Crusaders. He has been featured in Live concerts alongside other well known jazz artists including Patty Austin, Ronnie Laws, Bobby Lyle, Jon Lucien, Bobby Caldwell, Alphonso Johnson, John Beasley, Angela Bofill, Tony St. James, Bill Steinway, Nate Philips, Rob Mullins, Wilton Felder, Linley Marthe, Mario Canonge, Francis Lassus.
On September 1999 he teaches guitar at the C.E.M Music School in Novara Italy and he leads seminary and master classes.
On June 10, 2000, Giovan Guido was Awarded by unanimous vote FIRST PRIZE for best soloist at the Internally acclaimed jazz competition called International Contest of Jazz Soloists in Monaco (FR). In June 2001, Giovan made a guest appearance as part of the Jury (i.e. panel of judges) at the International Contest of Jazz Soloists in Monaco. In February 2001, Giovan Guido moved to Paris and worked on music projects playing live with pianist Mario Canonge, Joe Zawinul’s Syndicate bassist Linley Marthe, Francis Lassus and Benjamin Henocq. From February 11 to 17, 2002, along with Linley Marthe and Loîc Pontié, he led the musical workshops and master- classes at the Festival de Guitare in Nerac (France). He also performed live at that contest with Linley Marthe and Loîc Pontié.
He continues to be invited to perform / record on albums of other internationally known jazz artists. For instance he recorded on the album by Victoria Rummler entitled “Twinkle”. (www.myspace.com/victoriarummler). He also recorded with Marcello Testa in Testa’s album “An Ordinary Week” (www.myspace.com/marcellotesta).
Two of Giovan Guido’s compositions: Dig it and Waltzing Serenade were recorded and released in 2002 in the album by Walter Calloni entitled “Collections” (www.myspace.com/waltercalloni).
In 2006, Giovan went to Tokyo and played live with Taro Koyama, Oinuma Kunio, Shinitchi Sato, Tomohiro Yahiro, Yasuda Koji, Yasumasa Kumagai, Hiroshi Kagawa, Ken'ichiro Shinzawa, Eiji Otogawa, Kido Natsuki, live in duo, trio, quartet and guitar solo in jazz clubs, hotels and live houses of the city. He directed a guitar clinic and Master Class organized by AIR SOUND STUDIO in Tokyo.
From June 2007 to December 2007, Giovan Guido performed on the cruise ship Navigator of the Seas where he entertained audiences from allover the world performing guitar solo. In May 2008 Giovan moves to New York City and in February 2009 he records his first solo album “Guitar Master”,a fingerpicking jazz masterpiece and guitar innovation. In July 2010 Giovan meets bass player David Williams and on December 1st 2010 he records his second album with David Williams on doublebass, Lewis Nash on drums and Vincent Herring on sax
Awards:
On June 10, 2000, Giovan Guido was Awarded by unanimous vote FIRST PRIZE for best soloist at the Internally acclaimed jazz competition called International Contest of Jazz Soloists in Monaco (FR).Wayne Henderson
Founder of the Jazz Crusaders
Artist: Giovanni Guido Album title: Guitar Master Reviewed by: Michael Diamond Review title: Fretboard Virtuosity Rating: 5 stars (out of 5)
Review Summary:
While finger-style guitar, which doesn’t use a pick, is certainly not uncommon in classical, folk, flamenco, and other musical genres, rarely if ever has anyone used this technique in jazz with such speed and dexterity as Giovanni. One thing I was repeatedly struck by while listening to this album was the incredible contrast between the intensity and awesome power of the playing and the soft warmth of the nylon string guitars’ timbre. Giovanni’s flying fingers and furious fretwork evoke a sound seldom heard before on this instrument to this degree. Impressive, to say the least!
Review:
Laying claim to the title of “the world’s fastest finger-style jazz guitarist” is a bold declaration, and one best when backed up by the chops. After hearing Giovanni Guido’s Guitar Master album, I’m a believer he has a right to that superlative distinction. I was grateful that there were video clips of him in action on his website, so that I could vouch for the fact that this music is indeed the result of his talents rather than studio wizardry or enhancements.
In addition to his technical virtuosity, some of the innovations he brings are his choice of instrument and the way he plays it. The nylon stringed classical guitar is not as often found in a jazz context. A small number of artists such as Charlie Byrd and Earl Klugh have used it that way, but they are few and far between. And while finger-style guitar, which doesn’t use a pick, is certainly not uncommon in classical, folk, flamenco, and other musical genres, rarely if ever has anyone used this technique in jazz with such speed and dexterity as Giovanni. One of his influences in this particular style is Paco De Lucia, possibly the world’s greatest flamenco guitarist. Listeners who enjoy Paco’s solo work will find a lot to like in Guitar Master.
Giovanni, who was born in Naples Italy, started his love affair with the guitar at the tender age of eight years old. He continued on with it, eventually graduating from the Guildhall School Of Music And Drama in London and later studied at the Guitar Institute in Hollywood, California. Fate led to a connection with the famed and highly regarded group The Jazz Crusaders, which he became a permanent member of and toured the world with for five years. These and many other experiences and international awards have lead him to this, his first full length CD featuring his must be heard to be believed guitar work.
Guitar Master features seventeen songs that include five jazz standards and twelve original tunes, with some of them being totally improvised. From the first cascading flow of notes on the opening track entitled “All The Things You Are,” the justification for the album’s title begins to become apparent. The CD continues with “Whirlwind,” which lives up to its name with its fast-paced playing that blows through like a summer storm. The pace slows down with the lovely and enchanting “Alice In Wonderland” and shows a more sensitive side to Giovanni’s guitar spectrum. Showcasing another facet of this diverse musical jewel is the tune “Blues Kas”, which reflects elements of blues, funk, and jazz.
Virtuosity combines with passion on “Latin Mood” and highlights the mastery of Giovanni’s playing. An unexpected surprise greeted me on the opening of “Wu Shu” that kicked off with the kind of rapid fire percussive slapping of the strings that is often used by funk bass players. One of my favorite tunes on the CD was the sweetly flowing “Kimochii Dance” which is vaguely reminiscent of guitarist Pat Metheney. Also among the standouts is “Les Amants”, reflective of the aforementioned softer side of his guitar playing and gave me a much needed moment to pick my jaw up off the floor and melt into one of the most tender and touching songs on the album.
Guitar Master closes with “7 Maggio”, the only song on the CD that is not solo guitar. Accompanying Giovanni is Linley Marthe on bass, pianist Mario Canonge, and Francis Lassus on drums. It was appropriate to save this for last, serving as a grand finale as well as giving a brief taste of Giovanni in an ensemble setting ” a potent alchemy to say the least, and something I’d love to hear more of. One thing I was repeatedly struck by while listening to this album was the incredible contrast between the intensity and awesome power of the playing and the soft warmth of the nylon string guitars’ timbre. Giovanni’s flying fingers and furious fretwork evoke a sound seldom heard before on this instrument to this degree. Impressive, to say the least!
Review by Michael Diamond
Music journalist/Producer www.michaeldiamondmusic.com/journalism.shtml
I met Giovanni Guido in Piazza Belling, “the little Montmarte” of Naples as it is defined by all artists like us. He was with some foreign friends and his guitar. Between a Coke and a drink I was stunned by his human availability. He was fluently speaking English and French, so that a friendly guest circuit was established. Then he got his guitar out of the case and dedicated to us some tunes of great suggestion. It was a music, though played “in silence”, fluid, with rhythms that shook the ground and hearts...
Angelo De Falco
Journalist, writer
The vast resources of talent Giovanni Guido obviously possesses, puts him well above and beyond the usual commercial talent that comes and goes in today's musical environment, and the American-born form of jazz can only continue to grow and become richer as long as truly insightful musicians like him are allowed to breath new life into it.
Joseph J. Correia
Eminent Artists
Giovanni Guido is a wonderful musician, he is exceptional and unique with a style that blends American and European influences in a manner that is truly his own.
David Bennett Cohen
Musician www.davidbennettcohen.com
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