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Chris Pimentel

Chris is widely regarded as one of the premier guitarists in the San Francisco Bay Area. His noteworthy career has included performances in top jazz combos, rock bands and theater orchestras. Chris most recently was a featured performer in “Pixar in Concert” with the Sun Valley Symphony; as well as numerous broadway productions such as, “The Jersey Boys”,  “Mama Mia”, and most recently, “Big River”.

Since 1989 he has provided great Solo Jazz Guitar for Napa Valley events at Opus One, Cuvasion Estate Wines, Clos Pegase, Mumm Napa Valley and many other prestigious venues.

Born in San Francisco, Began playing guitar at age 11. Chris is a Berklee College of Music Alumni.

Currently on Music Faculty at Santa Rosa Junior College. Has been teaching privately for over 25 years.


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Album Review

Tony Adamo: Soul Glide

Read "Soul Glide" reviewed by Nicholas F. Mondello


"Soul Glide" is the latest offering from singer/composer and hipster nonpareil, Tony Adamo. The track is a slick R&B throwback with an Eddie Harris “Listen Here" vibe and groove. It is an enjoyable listen and it has terrific momentum and bite. Over a solid rhythm bed from this spirited ensemble, Rob Sudduth's tenor opens the track with a tight “Famous Flames"-like line that chants a musical “you dig?" Adamo joins the party singing lyrics that are lathered ...

4
Album Review

Tony Adamo: Better Than Picasso At Midnite

Read "Better Than Picasso At Midnite" reviewed by Nicholas F. Mondello


When you listen to vocal artist Tony Adamo, it reminds of that 1960s' mantra from Jimi Hendrix, “Are You Experienced?" That's because Adamo is a brilliantly creative talent whose recordings are so hip, so singular that they're something that you don't just listen to; you experience them. From his past efforts, we know that he dwells in a world where words are “sing-spoke," told with a heavy dollop of jazz names served up Cool. He's a griot whose game is ...

3
Album Review

Tony Adamo: Was Out Jazz Zone Mad

Read "Was Out Jazz Zone Mad" reviewed by Nicholas F. Mondello


The translation of “Adam" from Hebrew--from which the surname Adamo springs--means from the “ground" or “soil." It also derives from the Hebrew word for red, a la “red clay." Perhaps that is why any work from Tony Adamo is rare earth--gritty, and flaming crimson. Was Out Jazz Zone Mad Adamo's latest, his first for Ropeadope, is all of those things and more.Adamo is the Heavyweight Champion of “hipspokenword," wherein lingo meets vocalizing at the corner of jazz and ...

5
Album Review

Tony Adamo: Was Out Jazz Zone Mad

Read "Was Out Jazz Zone Mad" reviewed by Chris M. Slawecki


Some African cultures preserved their history not by the written but by the spoken word, kept by oral cultural historians known as griots. On Was Out Jazz Zone Mad, vocalist Tony Adamo aspires to serve in this same role, as a verbal historian of both official and unofficial African-American jazz and blues culture. This type of jazz jive might wear quickly thin but Adamo writes about jazz and jazz musicians with such detailed intimacy and vision that his words snap, ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Soul Glide

Staint Jaz Records
2024

buy

Better Than Picasso...

Saint Jaz Records
2022

buy

Angel Bop Comes To...

Ropeadope Records
2020

buy

Was Out Jazz Zone Mad

Ropeadope Records
2018

buy

Soul Glide

From: Soul Glide
By Chris Pimentel

Better Than Picasso At Midinite

From: Better Than Picasso At Midnite
By Chris Pimentel

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