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Giovan Guido

Jazz guitarist innovator, world's best fingerpicking jazz guitarist

About Me

Born in Naples Italy, Giovan Guido began playing guitar at the age of eight. In July 1991, he graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. In 1992, he traveled to Los Angeles and while attending the Guitar Institute in Hollywood he formed a jazz-funk trio. In Los Angeles he met Wayne Henderson (Jr) who later introduced him to his internationally famous father, Wayne Henderson (Senior), leader of the Jazz Crusaders. Giovan went on to record with Wayne Henderson on his album “Sketches of Life” by Wayne Henderson and the Next Crusade. From June 1994 to November 1998, Giovan became a permanent band member of the Jazz Crusaders, touring with the band in Europe, USA, Japan and China. Some of the performances include, but are not limited to: North Sea Jazz Festival, Jazz a Vienne, Umbria Jazz, Pori Jazz Festival, Nice Jazz Festival Montreux Jazz Festival, St. Lucie Jazz Festival, Parnu Jazz Festival, and the Brecon Jazz Festival. In 1998, Giovan Guido played lead guitar in the album “Break'n da Rulz” by the Jazz Crusaders. He has been featured in Live concerts alongside other well known jazz artists including Patty Austin, Ronnie Laws, Bobby Lyle, Jon Lucien, Bobby Caldwell, Alphonso Johnson, John Beasley, Angela Bofill, Tony St. James, Bill Steinway, Nate Philips, Rob Mullins, Wilton Felder, Linley Marthe, Mario Canonge, Francis Lassus.

On September 1999 he teaches guitar at the C.E.M Music School in Novara Italy and he leads seminary and master classes.

On June 10, 2000, Giovan Guido was Awarded by unanimous vote FIRST PRIZE for best soloist at the Internally acclaimed jazz competition called International Contest of Jazz Soloists in Monaco (FR). In June 2001, Giovan made a guest appearance as part of the Jury (i.e. panel of judges) at the International Contest of Jazz Soloists in Monaco. In February 2001, Giovan Guido moved to Paris and worked on music projects playing live with pianist Mario Canonge, Joe Zawinul’s Syndicate bassist Linley Marthe, Francis Lassus and Benjamin Henocq. From February 11 to 17, 2002, along with Linley Marthe and Loîc Pontié, he led the musical workshops and master-classes at the Festival de Guitare in Nerac (France). He also performed live at that contest with Linley Marthe and Loîc Pontié.

He continues to be invited to perform / record on albums of other internationally known jazz artists. For instance he recorded on the album by Victoria Rummler entitled “Twinkle”. (www.myspace.com/victoriarummler). He also recorded with Marcello Testa in Testa’s album “An Ordinary Week” (www.myspace.com/marcellotesta).

Two of Giovan Guido’s compositions: Dig it and Waltzing Serenade were recorded and released in 2002 in the album by Walter Calloni entitled “Collections” (www.myspace.com/waltercalloni).

In 2006, Giovan went to Tokyo and played live with Taro Koyama, Oinuma Kunio, Shinitchi Sato, Tomohiro Yahiro, Yasuda Koji, Yasumasa Kumagai, Hiroshi Kagawa, Ken'ichiro Shinzawa, Eiji Otogawa, Kido Natsuki, live in duo, trio, quartet and guitar solo in jazz clubs, hotels and live houses of the city. He directed a guitar clinic and Master Class organized by AIR SOUND STUDIO in Tokyo.

From June 2007 to December 2007, Giovan Guido performed on the cruise ship Navigator of the Seas where he entertained audiences from allover the world performing guitar solo. In May 2008 Giovan moves to New York City and in February 2009 he records his first solo album “Guitar Master”,a fingerpicking jazz masterpiece and guitar　innovation. In July 2010 Giovan meets bass player David Williams and on December 1st 2010 he records his second album with David Williams on doublebass Lewis Nash on drums and Vincent Herring on sax.