Gustavo Oliveira
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Rhythmic Brazilian Fusion/Jazz/Rock
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For an interesting blend of all things Brazilian with a jazz/fusion player's improvisational sensibility, check out Gustavo Oliveira's CD Fusion Brazil. Featuring Dave Carpenter on bass, Walt Fowler on trumpet and flugelhorn and Joel Taylor on drums, the mighty rhythm section frees Oliveira to undertake multiple flights of fusion fancy on his six-string. Even bassist Carpenter gets into the improvisational act, on tracks such as "Blues For Galucio". Slower tunes such as the lyrical "Nonas" feature evocative flugelhorn lead with Oliveira's sensitive comping, later giving way to chord melody, arpeggiated and single string soloing. Placing an emphasis on improvisation means a few rough spots in phrasing here and there but mostly the risk taking is worth the effort. Rhythmically, the CD is quite interesting and expressive, and many of Oliveira's compositions are quite good. This is a promising first album from Oliveira - we'll bet, the first of many.
Born in 1971 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Gustavo started to play classical guitar at 14. Soon he switched over to electric guitar, being influenced by rock guitarists from the '80s. A few years later, Gustavo got interested in improvisation, and from 1991 to 1995, he studied harmony and improvisation with the renowned Brazilian teacher Sergio Benevenuto. In 1995, he moved to Los Angeles and took lessons with important players such as Mike Stern and Gary Willis. Being influenced by American and Brazilian music, he developed his unique 'Fusion Brazil' style, which mixes Brazilian rhythms such as baiao, samba and choro with jazz, blues, funk and rock.
Whether working on his solo career or side projects, Gustavo keeps a busy schedule as a performer, music educator and studio musician. As a music educator, he is working on his first instructional CD-ROM about guitar techniques.
Contact Information
Gustavo Oliveira
P.O. Box 661053
Los Angeles, CA 90066
United States
E-mail:
Gustavo Oliveira
Web site:
www.guitarv.com
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Danny Jones Band
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Over The Edge Instrumental Rock
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Over The Edge is the title of the instrumental hard rock CD now available from the Danny Jones Band. Danny Jones, out of the San Francisco Bay area, has mastered intense/terrifying modern guitar technique, so together with Jeff Young (bass) and Dave Tweedle (drums), the band cruises through nine instrumental tracks highlighted by guitar playing that matches speed with precision. Jones' guitar solos will impress all skeptics; on tracks such as the blazing "Over The Edge", the tones are fierce and the playing top-notch. Another smoking number is "Bring It On", which features a Jeff Young bass spotlight section. He is also able to keep first-take solos (such as on "Dreams Of Tomorrow" and "You Did Me Wrong" which were completed with recording time Jones won in a contest) which are both hot-wired and listener friendly. Fans of instrumental hard rock will love Over The Edge; Jones takes the freedom he gets from the instrumental format and runs with it - over the... edge!
Danny has been playing guitar since the age of 12. He was inspired to start playing after watching childhood friend Larry LaLonde of Primus play Van Halen songs on his electric guitar. Danny played in various rock and top 40 bands since the age of 14, and in his late teens he had the privilege of studying under guitar legend Joe Satriani. Danny is also a two-time Best Of Bay award winner. Each year he had instrumental pieces chosen out of a field of over 600 bands (99% of which were vocal songs). Danny has appeared in Guitar World magazine and Guitar For The Practicing Musician.
Jones is currently fronting his own band and preparing for his next CD. He is also planning on investing in a Pro Tools system for recording.
Contact Information
Danny Jones
United States
E-mail:
Danny Jones Band
Web site:
www.jonesinmusic.com
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