Home » Jazz Musicians » Neff Irizarry

Neff Irizarry

A highly talented composer, guitarist, author and educator specializing in Latin and contemporary jazz, Neff Irizarry follows in the footsteps of Jim Hall, Pat Metheny, and Steve Khan. His unique blend of progressive Latin Jazz displays Puerto Rican “Sabor” and a Nordic cool called “Sisu.”

Featured in The European Real Book (Sher Music Co., 2007), Neff has joined the ranks of the most esteemed European composers of jazz. And, with his works, Contemporary Latin Jazz Guitar Vol. 1 and Vol. 2: Solos (Sher Music Co., 2021 & 2024), Neff has provided the most comprehensive books on Latin
Jazz Guitar ever written.

His critically acclaimed debut CD “Nepenthe” in 2000 and upcoming release “Cambio” (Change), produced by three-time Grammy Award-winning bassist Jimmy Haslip feature the
guitar in a Latin Jazz context without the piano.

Neff’s creativity, dedication, and solid groove as a guitarist have enabled him to perform with Eddie Henderson, Jimmy Haslip, Lonnie Liston Smith, Victor Mendoza, Brian Melvin and
Anders Bergcrantz, among others, at numerous international clubs and festivals.
As a B.M. and M.M. graduate from the Berklee College of Music, Neff believes in the power of education and self-development. With over 28 years of experience, Neff has lectured and performed at the Jazz Educator’s Network Conference USA and the University of London SOAS, among others, in Europe,
Puerto Rico and Scandinavia.

Awards

Blue Canoe Records Artist

Contemporary Latin Jazz Guitar Vol 1 & 2:Solos Sher Music Co

Scharpach Master Guitars Artist

Vovox Cables Artist

Tags

"Cambio" (Change) Blue Canoe Records 2024 Release:

"One of the BEST records among Smooth Latin Jazz for 2024" -Saúl Zavarce Fiesta Jazz Radio 106,7 PBS FM Melbourne AUS

"Excellent concept, very unique" - Franco Silva Latino 54 WMNF 88,5FM Tampa, FL USA

"My God; brother you've made a masterpiece it's like having Pat Metheny Al di Meola and a few more in one - but it's more cultivated and understandable-really packed to attract any jazz fan." -Carlos Juan, renowned pickup maker for a whos who of Guitar royalty.

"Cambio" (Change) Blue Canoe Records 2024 Release:

"One of the BEST records among Smooth Latin Jazz for 2024" -Saúl Zavarce Fiesta Jazz Radio 106,7 PBS FM Melbourne AUS

"Excellent concept, very unique" - Franco Silva Latino 54 WMNF 88,5FM Tampa, FL USA

"My God; brother you've made a masterpiece it's like having Pat Metheny Al di Meola and a few more in one - but it's more cultivated and understandable-really packed to attract any jazz fan." -Carlos Juan, renowned pickup maker for a whos who of Guitar royalty.

"Neff Irizarry has embarked down a path traveled by few guitarists in contemporary jazz and certainly contemporary Latin jazz! Not since the groups of Wille Bobo during the late ‘60s which featured guitarist Sonny Henry has a guitarist attempted to hold down the entire harmonic weight of such a group. To execute all the montunos, guajeos, necessary harmonizations, and to solo with clarity and fire is a tall order but Neff is certainly up to the task." -Steve Khan, Legendary Grammy-nominated Guitarist.

"Curt Mangan Artist Neff Irizarry: Our Players Play" - Curt Mangan Strings USA

On his Groundbreaking Contemporary Latin Jazz Guitar Vol 1 & 2: Solos published by Sher Music Co:

"Master Guitarist Neff Irizarry has contributed in a mighty way to understanding, preserving, presenting and educating the world about Latin Jazz." - Arturo O´Farrill Grammy Award Winning Pianist/Composer/arranger

"Neff has created a foolproof method of study for every guitarist interested in learning this style. My hats off to Neff – this is the real deal!" -Larry Baione Chair Emeritus, Guitar Department Berklee College of Music

"Neff Irizarry is a masterful musician and great practitioner of Latin music on the guitar. He has written an incredibly thorough and comprehensive book on Latin music and how it relates to the guitar." -Peter Bernstein (renowned Jazz Guitarist)

"If there is one person who can clearly explain the secrets of the guitar in Latin Jazz, it is Neff Irizarry. He navigates effortlessly through all the waters of modern guitar, Jazz, and Latin Jazz." -Israel Sandoval (Spanish renowned guitar Artist, and Professor Graduate Program, Berklee Valencia)

Show less

Primary Instrument

Guitar

Location

Helsinki

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

Zoom Lessons available on demand

Clinic/Workshop Information

Experienced Clinician at Jazz Educator's Network Conference USA, University of London SOAS, Conservatorio de Musica de Puerto Rico, among others.....

”Contemporary Latin Jazz Guitar Improvisation”
-A comprehensive approach to Latin jazz guitar improvisation
from its roots in Afro-Cuban music to the contemporary masters.
By: Neff Irizarry II M.M.
Clinic Outline:
Introduction:
• Brief Background and connection to the topic
What is Contemporary Latin Jazz Guitar Improvisation? (with A/V)
• Definition and scope of presentation
A brief in-depth analysis of the adaptation and development of improvisational techniques for the electric guitar in Latin jazz from its traditional beginnings in Latin music.
New readaptations of the precedents played by folkloric instruments and what legendary guitarists and bandleaders have already developed.
Topics:
• Linear content through solo analysis
Chord scale usage
Contrapuntal considerations from traditional solos
• Harmonic content through solo analysis
Chord Melody soloing
Superimposed Reharmonizations
• Rhythmic content through solo analysis
Alignment Concept
Anticipation/Displacement
• Solo Proportions
• Key influential Soloists

Teaching strategy:
•Active listening and analysis
•Play-along exercise to develop improvisational skills
•Encourage critical thinking for the creative application of the concepts presented in the book to other styles
Further study
•Repertoire
•Suggested listing list
Performance demonstration (with play-along tracks)
Conclusion and Q&A Session