Ron Nocella

Bio/Background: Ron Nocella began playing guitar at age 8. After listening to the likes of Wes Montgomery from his Dad’s bakery shop radio, he was inspired to learn and study jazz guitar. In the mid to late 70's, South Philly was an area thriving with professional musicians and teachers. Al and Billy DelGovenatore, Dennis Sandole, Joe Sgro, Al Stauffer, and Jimmy Bruno were all were major inspirations. At 15/16 years of age, he often went to the Bijou Cafe on his own to see the likes of McCoy Tyner, Art Blakey, Bill Evans and Pat Martino.

Ron's formal guitar studies began in his teens, studying initially with Frank DiBussolo teaching him the essentials in guitar studies. He then studied jazz improvisation in the late 70’s at the late Al Stauffer’s music school in South Philadelphia. By studying with Al (a jazz bassist), he started thinking outside the jazz guitar paradigm. Al taught many other fine jazz musicians; Jimmy Bruno, Bob Sheppard, Tom Lawton, Dennis DiBlasio, and George Rabbai are just a few. Al was also an integral part of the Bernard Peiffer trio. Studied classical guitar with Dr. Robert Trent, Professor of Music and Director of Guitar and Renaissance Lute studies at the College of Visual and Performing Arts of Radford University.

After meeting Jimmy Bruno at Al's studio, Jimmy became a huge influence on Ron musically. Jimmy, a Concord jazz recording artist with an extensive discography, became a friend and mentor. He studied with Jimmy for several years and allowed him numerous opportunities to play. "Ron, a fine jazz guitarist, has always been a friend and a pleasure to work with," Jimmy Bruno.

Performances • Ron performed at many local area jazz clubs, concerts at the old MAIN POINT, Ethical Society (The Nocella brother’s quartet) and local colleges, including the Rowan Jazz Festival. • Performed in the annual Media Jazz Festival 2007/2008. • Premiered the “Sonata for Two Guitars” at a Crissey concert event, with Jimmy Bruno and Ron Nocella. • During the 2001-2008 time frame was a featured artist at Suburban School of Music and their faculty concerts. • Ron's CD Urbanated was featured on "Crossover", with Jack Buerkle and Jill Pasternak. • Played with original ensemble Soundstage, a nine-piece band playing original music, the Camden County Big Band, and other various jazz ensembles. • Played and performed with many local jazz artists, Jimmy Bruno, Al Stauffer, Tom Lawton, and Craig Thomas at JJ's Grotto, Chris's jazz cafe, Ortlieb's Jazzhaus, Dock Street Brewery, Liberties. All venues in the Philadelphia area with a focus on the jazz genre.

Recording: • Self-produced and recorded a CD in 2001 entitled Urbanated, which includes mostly original jazz compositions, featuring Tom Lawton, Howie Thompson and Tom Walling. • In 1994, Ron played rhythm guitar on several tracks for a new release Jimmy Bruno was recording at SIGMA SOUND studios. Tracks were originally earmarked for Jimmy’s “Burnin” CD. • Recorded the “Sonata for Two guitars” written by Joe Nocella for Ron Nocella and Jimmy Bruno; recorded at the LAB • Recorded with Al Stauffer and Carl Mottola at the Warehouse recording studio.

You Tube channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/rjazzguit
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