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Frank Gambale

Frank began playing guitar at age 7 in Canberra, Australia where he was born and raised. He was influenced by the blues playing of Jimi Hendrix , John Mayall / Eric Clapton, and Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia . In his mid-teens he discovered Steely Dan, The Brecker Brothers and Chick Corea, which pointed him in a jazzy direction. In 1982 at 23 he decided to leave his home to study at the Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT) in Hollywood. He graduated with the highest honor, Student of the Year and was offered a teaching position which he kept for 4 years. During that time he was playing the local jazz club circuit with his own band and already had his first book "Speed Picking" published. In 1986 he signe a 3 album contract with a small label called Legato and began his recording career.

The same year he was recruited by Jean-luc Ponty to tour. Shortly after that tour, he auditioned for Chick Corea and began a 6 year stint which culminated in 5 albums, a Grammy award and two Grammy Nominations. Chick helped expose Frank to the world, for which he is very grateful, "playing with Chick was like a dream come true" says Frank. That same year Ibanez guitars approached him to endorse their guitar which culminated in a long relationship and spawned the Frank Gambale model guitar which was first on sale worldwide in 1987. They made 4 versions of the guitar, the FGM100, FGM200, FGM300 and FGM400.

In 1987 Frank signed a 3-video deal with DCI / Warner Brothers for instructional videos. In 1988, Frank signed a major label deal with JVC. In 1990 he released "Thunder From Down Under" which sold well all over the world and at one point it was #1 on the Japanese Jazz charts along with all his three Legato releases in the top 10 at the same time.

In 1992, Frank decided it was time to go out there on his own and has been touring with his group ever since. He has toured in many countries with his own band including Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Japan and the U.S. He has done countless seminars and master classes worldwide to countries as far away as South Africa and Uruguay.

In 1996 Frank was offered a position of Head of the Guitar Department of a new musical school in the Los Angeles area called the L.A. Music Academy (LAMA). He wrote the core curriculum/ study program for this one year vocational school including Harmony and Theory, Improvisation, Technique and Composition courses. The school is a great success and is an inspirational place for guitarists the world over. He teaches one, sometimes 2 full day a week at the school when he is in town and maintains the guitar department, and chose the teachers.

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Liner Notes

The Light Beyond: Frank Gambale, Stuart Hamm and Steve Smith

Read "The Light Beyond: Frank Gambale, Stuart Hamm and Steve Smith" reviewed by Josef Woodard


Reports of fusion's death have been greatly exaggerated. The cultural phenomenon, by which jazz and rock made a potent alliance during the '70s, generally slipped out of the public ear and major label consciousness, as jazz as a whole retreated into a more historicist, unplugged attitude. But out of corporate sight only out of corporate mind, and musicians have been courting the fusion muse on indie labels and just beneath the surface of mainstream jazz marketing ever since its heyday. ...

1
Album Review

Rob Silverman: Drumology Volume 3

Read "Drumology Volume 3" reviewed by Jim Worsley


The beat goes on. Yes, that was a big hit for Sonny & Cher back in 1967. However, here it references the third volume of drummer Rob Silverman's Drumology series. The formula seems to be working, so why not keep pounding them out? Again all proceeds go to the Neil Peart Fund for brain cancer research at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. And the core band stays intact, with Silverman being joined by brother Michael Silverman on piano and keyboards, bassist Larry ...

5
Album Review

Chick Corea: The Montreux Years

Read "The Montreux Years" reviewed by Doug Collette


If there is anything more ambitious than curating an extensive, comprehensive collection covering the history of an artist, it is collating selected works which vividly outline a particular timeline or theme. Chick Corea's The Montreux Years is a fine example of the latter; this seventh edition in the archive series devoted to the iconic festival not only reflects the late composer and pianist's technical skills, but also his eclectic stylistic tastes. And that is not to mention his fondness for ...

10
Extended Analysis

The Mothership Returns

Read "The Mothership Returns" reviewed by John Kelman


When keyboardist Chick Corea announced--following a successful world tour of his reunited 1970s-era fusion juggernaut Return to Forever, which, featuring guitarist Al Di Meola, bassist Stanley Clarke and drummer Lenny White, included a high octane 2008 performance that was one of the best-attended in the Ottawa International Jazz Festival's three-decade history--that he'd be reuniting the earlier incarnation of the group responsible for Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy (Polydor, 1973), there was plenty of buzz. He ultimately became the ...

435
Album Review

Frank Gambale: Natural Selection

Read "Natural Selection" reviewed by Jack Huntley


Frank Gambale, early Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT) whiz-kid and longtime guitarist in the Chick Corea Elektric Band, is known for his sweep-picking technique, fretboard virtuosity, and penchant for fusion jazz. But with his 2006 outing, Natural High (Wombat Records), and now 2010's Natural Selection, Gambale has shown off a more straight-ahead style that wonderfully couples his technical artistry with a focused, melodic swing. Aided on Natural Selection by the superb pianist, Otmaro Ruiz, and the equally interesting ...

377
Album Review

GHS: The Best of GHS

Read "The Best of GHS" reviewed by Woodrow Wilkins


GHS is almost like listening to The Police without a human voice. The letters are the initials guitarist Frank Gambale, bassist Stu Hamm, and drummer Steve Smith. GHS is the anti-smooth ensemble from Tone Center Records. Their intent was to represent music fans who wanted more improvisation and more interaction among the players. Gambale spent several years with the Chick Corea Elektric Band as well as Smith's outfit, Vital Information. Hamm and Smith worked together on some of ...

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Multiple Reviews

Frank Gambale: Parallel Lines

Read "Frank Gambale: Parallel Lines" reviewed by John Kelman


Emerging in the mid-1980s, Australian-born guitarist Frank Gambale rose quickly to the upper end of the fusion food chain. While Scott Henderson was the first guitarist in keyboard legend Chick Corea's Elektric Band, it's Gambale who is best remembered for his work on a string of the band's albums beginning with Light Years (GRP, 1987). And when Corea decided to reform the quintet in the early part of this decade for an album and a couple of tours, it was ...

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Recording

Legendary Guitarist Frank Gambale Bares His Soul On An Inspired Collection Of Songs With His Soulmate, Boca

Legendary Guitarist Frank Gambale Bares His Soul On An Inspired Collection Of Songs With His Soulmate, Boca

Source: Great Scott P.R.oductions

Palm Springs, CA: When something emerges from the soul of an artist, it’s honest, personal and meaningful. It is more than a passion project. For Grammy winning guitar innovator Frank Gambale, “Soulmine” is a soul-realized endeavor that has ruminated in his consciousness for 30 years. The musician jazz giant Chick Corea called “one of the most incredible guitarists on the planet” found the missing piece when he met and married his soulmate, Boca. She provides the sultry vocals and together ...

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Recording

Guitar Virtuoso Frank Gambale Mines His Soul for an Inspirational Collection of Jazzy Adult Pop Vocal Tunes

Guitar Virtuoso Frank Gambale Mines His Soul for an Inspirational Collection of Jazzy Adult Pop Vocal Tunes

Source: Great Scott P.R.oductions

Guitar virtuoso Frank Gambale mines his soul for an inspirational collection of jazzy adult pop vocal tunes Soulmine featuring vocalist BOCA will be released May 22nd Palm Springs, CA: Respected and recognized as one of musics most innovative guitarists, Grammy winner Frank Gambale returned to his roots for his 20th solo album by delivering an exquisitely crafted vocal collection comprised of original jazzy adult pop songs. Soulmine, which will be released May 22nd on the artists Wombat Records, was written ...

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Recording

Guitarist Frank Gambale & Vocalist BOCA Stir Vibrations with CD Debut on Valentine's Day

Guitarist Frank Gambale & Vocalist BOCA Stir Vibrations with CD Debut on Valentine's Day

Source: Chris M. Slawecki

GRAMMY-winning guitar virtuoso Frank Gambale teams up for the first time with his wife and soul mate, singer/songwriter, BOCA, to create and deliver his first all-vocal, crossover Adult Contemporary album, Frank Gambale Soulmine featuring BOCA. Luring listeners to “stir their soul," this release features sexy, strong and evocative vocals, inviting lyrics, R&B jazz-funk stylings, and Frank Gambale's signature sweep-picking prowess and soulful guitar playing. “Music is a channel to move people and has the power to heal. I love vocal ...

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TV / Film

YouTube Now Broadcasting Frank Gambale TV Worldwide

YouTube Now Broadcasting Frank Gambale TV Worldwide

Source: Josh Vittek

GRAMMY winning guitar virtuoso Frank Gambale announced today the Frank Gambale TV Channel on YouTube. Flattered by the amount of user generated content already on Youtube, Frank is heeding the call to communicate directly with his fans in a new, more intimate way. With over 30 years of material under his belt, there is a huge archive of footage he is now inspired to share; much of it never seen before including behind the scenes, candid material and instructional content. ...

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Recording

New Double CD From David Herzhaft: "Jazzin' Around" Featuring Howard Levy, Frank Gambale

New Double CD From David Herzhaft: "Jazzin' Around" Featuring Howard Levy, Frank Gambale

Source: All About Jazz

Jazzin' Around, a New Double CD from David Herzhaft: world jazz music from Coltrane to Paganini played by one of the most original harmonica virtuoso. A 2-CD set featuring Howard Levy, Frank Gambale and many more.

THE MUSIC: Jazzin' Around is a musical journey travelling into the jazz idiom. The first cd has tracks rolling like a live set of modern jazz with funk and fusion accents melting nice and original re-arranged standards with strong compositions. “Summertime" is bouncing and ...

435

Recording

School of the Arts with T Lavitz, Frank Gambale, Steve Morse, Jerry Goodman, John Patitucci and Dave Weckl

School of the Arts with T Lavitz, Frank Gambale, Steve Morse, Jerry Goodman, John Patitucci and Dave Weckl

Source: All About Jazz

School Of The Arts T Lavitz - Piano Frank Gambale - Acoustic Guitar Steve Morse - Acoustic Guitar Jerry Goodman - Violin John Patitucci - Acoustic and Electric Bass Dave Weckl - Drums and Percussion Cutting-edge compositions, beautiful sinuous melodies, and massive chops make School of the Arts (SOTA) a truly rare confluence of influences and musical styles, pushing jazz and jazz-fusion ...

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Performance / Tour

Frank Gambale & Natural High Trio in Italy, Greece, Hungary & Russia

Frank Gambale & Natural High Trio in Italy, Greece, Hungary & Russia

Source: All About Jazz

The Frank Gambale & Natural High Trio (Otmaro Ruiz, Alain Caron) are now on tour in Italy, with forthcoming dates in Greece, Hungary and Russia.

3.26.07 FG and Natural High Trio at Big Mamma, Rome 3.27.07 FG and Natural High Trio at Nuovo Teatro Verdi, Brindisi 3.29.07 FG and Natural High Trio at Athena Club, Athens 3.30.07 FG and Natural High Trio at Athena Club, Athens 3.31.07 FG and Natural High Trio ...

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Performance / Tour

Frank Gambale & the Natural High Trio European Tour March-April 2007

Frank Gambale & the Natural High Trio European Tour March-April 2007

Source: All About Jazz

Jazz/Fusion Guitar legend Frank Gambale will be commencing his European tour with the Natural High Trio this weekend. Tour dates as follows:

MARCH - 2007

18 - FG and Natural High Trio at Boerderij - Zoetermeer, Holland

20 - FG and Natural High Trio at New Morning - Paris, France

21 - FG and Natural High Trio at Teatro Metropolitano, Palermo, Sicily, Italy

22 - FG and Natural High Trio at Gioia D. Colle Ueffilo, Puglia, Italy

23 - FG ...

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Music Industry

Blue Mood di Corrado Sgura feat. Frank Gambale e Fabrizio Bosso

Blue Mood di Corrado Sgura feat. Frank Gambale e Fabrizio Bosso

Source: All About Jazz


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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Drumology Volume 3

Autumn Hill
2022

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Drum 'N' Voice Vol. 4

Nicolosi Productions
2016

buy

The Mothership Returns

Eagle Rock Entertainment
2012

buy

The Best of GHS

Tone Center
2009

buy

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