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Tony do Rosario

The best musicians tend to display at least a bit of their roots in everything they do, and jazz guitarist Tony Do Rosario is no exception. While himself a product of the Atlantic City area of southern New Jersey, Tony's appreciation for music came at an early age growing up as a first-generation American amid a family whose native Brazilian culture was a regular part of the household. It was on family trips to Brazil that he recalls finding his love for life and music. "There was this Samba band that would rehearse down the street,” Tony reminisces. “I remember just absorbing the energy of the music." He also enjoyed watching his grandfather, a self-taught musician, perform on the accordion for the family. Tony recalls a desire to create music of his own as early as age eight, and by age twelve, his parents had supplied him with a guitar. It was a neighbor, Tom Ferguson, however, that introduced Tony to jazz. Tom had played with legendary musicians such as Nat King Cole and Dizzy Gillespie, and Tom's stories not only enlightened Tony but inspired him to look beyond his rock and roll heroes toward jazz, where he found his true musical identity. "I love the way it makes me feel and how the music evokes emotion."

By his late teens Tony was frequenting jazz clubs throughout Atlantic City. He began performing with local musicians at places like Rosa's Jazz Club and the Kentucky Avenue Jazz Festival. "I was just sitting in but that was okay. I saw these as opportunities to learn."

Tony's desire to pursue jazz full-time sent him packing, and in 1993 he moved to Los Angeles. While in L.A., Tony organized jazz guitar clinics during which he had the opportunity to play with legendary artists such as Andy Summers, Pat Martino, Howard Alden, Peter Bernstein, Phil Upchurch and Ted Greene. Tony's perseverance, commitment and talent led to performances at some of L.A.'s major jazz clubs including the Baked Potato and Catalina's Bar and Grill. Tony has also been featured in John Pisano’s "Guitar Night," a series of weekly shows for top L.A. guitar players. Pisano remarks, "Tony is one of the most promising young jazz guitarists on the L.A. jazz scene today." " The L.A. Times Jazz Review concurred, describing Tony as "... a hard-core traditionalist, solidly tapped into his roots in the styles of guitarists such as Jim Hall and Joe Pass."

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287
Album Review

Tony Do Rosario: New Beginnings

Read "New Beginnings" reviewed by Matthew Warnock


Brazilian/American guitarist Tony Do Rosario delivers an energetic and engaging performance with his sophomore album New Beginnings. The album features Do Rosario alongside some of Chicago's top musicians: saxophonist Geof Bradfield, bassist Nathan Kawaller and drummer Greg Wyser-Pratte. The four musicians come together to produce an album of original modern jazz that is mentally engaging and possesses broad appeal.

After spending years honing his chops in jazz clubs on both coasts, the now Chicago-based Do Rosario is focusing his creative ...

235
Album Review

Tony do Rosario: The Welcoming

Read "The Welcoming" reviewed by John Barron


Chicago guitarist Tony do Rosario displays a traditional, hard-swinging style on The Welcoming, an engaging quartet recording with organist Dan Kostelnik, vibraphonist Behn Gillece and drummer Bob Shomo. The session highlights the Atlantic City, New Jersey-native's fluid guitar style and solid compositional skills. The bouncy 6/8 opener “Childhood Memories" and the Latin-insprired “Another Time" introduce Rosario's progressive approach; mindful of the past, yet eager to push forward. The guitarist's greasy, single-note lines evoke the feel-good soulfulness of 1960s ...

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"Among the very best jazz guitarists of the current generation who play in traditional style, be sure to add the name of Tony Do Rosario." -(Brad Walseth)JazzChicago.net 2008

"Tony's new CD 'The Welcoming' is a gem. I was more than a little impressed with this recording." -(Doc Dosco) Guitarsite.com What's hot with jazz guitar 2008

"Playing a fast-fingered,straight-ahead style, he is a hard-core traditionalist, solidly tapped into his roots in the styles of guitarist such as Jim Hall and Joe Pass." The L.A. Times Jazz Review-(Don Heckman)

"Do Rosario brings the best of both worlds to his music, as he's firmly versed in the history of jazz but brings a modern element to his shows" (Scott Semet), At the Shore, The Press of Atlantic City

Primary Instrument

Guitar

Credentials/Background

http://www.oldtownschool.org/classes/register/FolkDetail.php?folk=171393

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

New Beginnings

Chicago Sessions
2009

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The Welcoming

Dreambox Media
2008

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