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Joe LoPiccolo

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Joe LoPiccolo is a guitarist and composer whose work is influenced by Classical, Jazz and World Music styles. Writer Dan O'Heron of the Pasadena Weekly states his music is “Soft spoken eloquence, fascinatingly improvised.” and “The music is comforting and visual, it takes you to a better place, a paradise found.” Guitarist Andrew York of the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet states, “Having exceptional ability in both classical and jazz genres is very rare; Joe excels in both styles.”

Joe LoPiccolo is a graduate of The California Institute of the Arts, receiving his BFA in jazz guitar in 1994 and his MFA in multi-focus guitar in 2000. During the pursuit of his Masters degree he was a Wasserman Scholar and Teaching Assistant for the Multi-Focus Guitar Program. In addition to his BFA and MFA he is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music summer program.

Also active as composer of film music, he founded the Sierra Madre Music Studio in 2000 with clients including MGM, Warner Brothers Online and Griffith Observatory. He has been an ASCAP Plus Award recipient for the past 4 years, 2000-2003.

The 2004 Sierra Madre Music release “Passages” contains twelve original compositions by Joe LoPiccolo and features an impressive line-up of guest musicians including renown guitarists Andrew York and Miroslav Tadic The compositions and improvisations are reflective of many musical influences including African, Brazilian, Classical, Eastern European, Indian and Jazz genres.

Personnel:

Guitarist Andrew York is a member of the Grammy nominated Los Angeles Guitar Quartet.

Guitarist Miroslav Tadic was voted by the editors of Guitar Player magazine as one of the world's thirty most radical and individual guitarists.

Saxophonist Eric Barber has been called “a growing presence on the Los Angeles new music scene” by the L.A. Weekly and “tastefully wild” by the Los Angeles Times.

Bassist Rene Camacho has recorded with Strunz and Farah, Bobby Matos, Bobby Rodriguez, Susie Hansen and Rickie Lee Jones among others. Bassist Larry Steen was described as “A giant of the not too distant future” by esteemed late jazz critic Leonard Feather.

Percussionist Randy Gloss is a member of the group “Hands On'Semble,” Drum! Magazine 2002 and 2003 Reader's Poll Award winner Best Percussion Ensemble.

Selected Discography:

“Passages”, Sierra Madre Music 0309

“Journey” (with Ray Sandoval), Phocus Records 2074

“CalArts Jazz 94”, (Sampler), Capitol Records DPRO 79365

“Jazz Guitar for Classical Cats” (with Andrew York), Alfred Publications 18471

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