Michael Musillami
Veteran jazz guitarist/composer Michael Musillami is known to critics as a superior guitarist (DownBeat), one of the more imaginative guitarists in jazz (Signal to Noise) and a modern-day jazz master (Edmonton Journal). They have also noted that his distinctive original compositions mine not only the fertile vein of classic jazz but the outer reaches of creative music (Hartford Courant), calling his music honest, frequently surprising, and consistently exciting (JazzTimes).
Born and raised in California, Musillami was inspired early on by musicians including Chet Baker, John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Bill Evans. He studied with renowned guitarist Joe Diorio before moving permanently to the East coast in the early 1980's, working primarily in organ trios led by Richard Groove Holmes and Bobby Buster among others.
In addition to paying his dues as a sideman performing with musicians such as Junior Cook, Dewey Redman, and Curtis Fuller, he became a part of the circle of musicians connected to the Hillside Club in Waterbury, Connecticut, including frequent future collaborators Thomas Chapin and Mario Pavone.
In 1999, Musillami founded the Playscape Recordings label to give himself more control over his recording career, and to provide other musicians with a supportive environment for creative music. Built around a cadre of frequent collaborators, the label has garnered extensive critical praise and a catalog of more than 35 diverse releases. Like Blue Note or CTI in their prime, writes Signal to Noise reviewer John Chacona, Michael Musillami's Playscape label has a signature sound.
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Album Review
- Pictures by Troy Dostert
Multiple Reviews
Album Review
- Dig by Troy Dostert
- Bird Calls by Neri Pollastri
- Life Anthem by Jerome Wilson
- Life Anthem by Troy Dostert
- Life Anthem by Don Phipps
- Of The Night by Budd Kopman
- Of The Night by Maurizio Comandini
- Of The Night by Dan McClenaghan
July 01, 2010
The Jazz Session #181: Michael Musillami
January 12, 2010
Announcing the Winners of the "Michael Musillami - From Seeds" Contest
November 29, 2009
Enter the Playscape Recordings "Michael Musillami - From Seeds"...
May 18, 2009
Michael Musillami Trio + 3's from Seeds Available Now on Playscape...
January 27, 2009
Michael Musillami Trio + 3 to Make New York Debut January 31st
September 24, 2007
The Michael Musillami Trio with Mark Feldman's New CD/DVD Set Released...
September 18, 2007
Michael Musillami Trio with Mark Feldman: October Tour Dates
April 24, 2007
Michael Musillami Trio with Mark Feldman: Live Dates and New CD
January 23, 2007
Michael Musillami Trio with Mark Feldman to Tour and Record in May
November 21, 2006
Michael Musillami Trio at Hartford's Mezzanine December 29-30
--Lyn Horton, All About Jazz
Musillami has developed a very distinctive guitar voice over the years. His
early work was fluent and well-executed, but in recent years his playing has
matured, along with his writing ability.
--Chuck Obuchowski, Hartford Courant
...he continues to assert himself not only as a very competent performer, but
especially as one of the most innovative composers on the scene.
--Michael G
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