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Gary Bruno

Born in New Jersey, Gary Bruno began studying guitar at age seven. He showed an interest in music at the age of five with Drums leading the way. Soon after, the drums were put aside to make way for guitar. Taking weekly lessons Gary almost immediately showed prodigious technique and a hunger for learning music. Gary attributes this early desire to his Mom & Dad providing him with a radio which seemed to go everywhere with him as early as age three. He went to sleep with music on and awoke much the same. After a short period of guitar lessons Gary began to learn the songs of the day from the radio. While he was taught to read music the immediate need for it took a backseat to learning pop music from his trusty radio.

By age thirteen Gary had his first professional job with his band. Hired by a family friend to play a Christmas Party, that job was the first of what would become a livelihood for the better part of the next twenty-five plus years. In addition to performing, Gary maintained a rigorous teaching schedule and by junior year in High School Gary was playing three to four nights a week as well as teaching. All four years of High School also found Gary playing first chair in the Local Jazz Ensemble and winning outstanding soloist awards two of the four years.

After High School Gary began to get calls for recording sessions from unsigned local songwriters and local producers creating jingles for radio advertisements. Local club dates with bands served as Garys night job, and the days found him teaching, recording and studying guitar. These club dates kept Gary within the New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania area with occasional travel elsewhere. On a recommendation from a friend Gary landed a seat in the Dave Mason Band, which took his playing to a National & International level. This led to playing Greenpeace concerts with John Denver.

In his travels Gary found himself drawn to warmer weather, which brought him to Las Vegas playing the Las Vegas Strip as much as six nights a week. After leaving Las Vegas, (no movie or song innuendos please) Gary settled in Southern California where he currently resides. Considering himself a forever student of music and guitar, Garys future plans include composing, recording & performing.

Awards

Outstanding Soloist International Jazz Ensemble Competition 1978,1979.

Gear

Benedetto Guitars, Evans Custom Amps, Leonardo Cabinets, Thomastik Infeld Strings.


Tags

205
Album Review

The Gary Bruno Quartet: Live at the Studio Cafe

Read "Live at the Studio Cafe" reviewed by Michael P. Gladstone


Recorded live at the Studio Cafe in Newport Beach, California, this is a nice relaxing seventy-minute combo outing. It features guitar jazz in a fully mainstream setting without any pretention towards newer techniques that might include distortion, free jazz, or electronics. The addition of a piano to the usual bass and drum pairing is a good idea, providing additional support and solo voicings. Pianist Nick Peper, bassist Bart Broadnax, and drummer Raymond Genovese do a commendable job.

The ...

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You sound great........ author: Ron Eschete` Clean...........Smooth..........and Swinging !!

Gary Plays Great . author: Carmine D'Amico,16 Grammy awards Winning Guitarist. Gary,you sound just beautiful on this cd.Taste,precision,feel.Just wonderful.This is a Must Buy for The Jazz Guitar Lover.Carmine D'Amico,studio/jazz guitarist,holder of 16 Grammy Awards.

From Bossa Nova to Swing to Blues and back again... author: James Schaller From Bossa Nova to Swing to Blues and back again...it's all here to enjoy. The listener can hear that the musicians have a high level of respect for the tradition, while pushing that tradition into the future with fresh, new ideas. As just one example of how a solo should be built, check out Gary's treatment on How Insensetive...now that's gettin' it done!!! Bravo guys, a beautiful piece of work!!!! James Schaller

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Primary Instrument

Guitar

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Available for private in person or internet lessons. Private one on one advanced lesson $75.00 per hour. Internet instruction membership $365.00 for one year.

Clinic/Workshop Information

Improvisation, analysis and application. Equipment consultation. Being a professional musician.

Photos

Music

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