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Chieli Minucci

Recording Artist/Guitarist/Composer, longtime bandleader of Special EFX featuring Chieli Minucci

About Me

Guitarist, composer, producer, and arranger Chieli Minucci is longtime leader of the Grammy-nominated jazz-fusion group SPECIAL EFX featuring Chieli Minucci, a major force on the jazz and world music scene for 40 years.

Chieli has just released 2 brand new projects – the solo acoustic “Someone’s Singing”, as well as his 40th anniversary Special EFX CD, “Twenty Twenty 2” (both ChieliMusic). Chieli & Special EFX’s previous release saw title track, “Deep as the Night”, win Billboard Magazine’s 2018 top honors, best-song-of-the-year.

Besides writing and performing his own music, Chieli shares his guitar brilliance throughout the entertainment world. He has recorded and performed with many top artists, such as Celine Dion, Lou Reed, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Lopez, Jewel, Mark Anthony, Michael Bolton, Rupert Holmes, Eartha Kitt, Eddie Fisher, Anastasia, as well as contemporary jazz artists Kirk Whalum, Maysa, Jeff Lorber, Norman Brown, Bernie Williams, Marion Meadows, Lao Tizer, Mindi Abair, Rick Braun, Gerald Veasley, Omar Hakim, and many others. Although renowned in the jazz and pop world, Chieli is also a gifted television and film composer. He has won 3 Emmy Awards and been nominated 10 times for his eclectic compositional work. His music can also be heard on the soundtracks of the films Bowfinger, No Country for Old Men Legally Blonde, Panic, and others. Chieli's original scoring work can be heard in live stage productions of Peter Pan, Dora the Explorer, Thomas the Tank Engine, and others. Chieli comes from a musical background. His father, Ulpio Minucci (concert pianist/composer) wrote the American songbook standard, and 1955 hit song, “Domani” (sung by Julius LaRosa as well as Bing Crosby), as well as “A Thousand Thoughts of You,” and “Felicia” (both sung by Nat King Cole). Also known as a composer for television and film, Minucci has won three Emmy Awards, in 1998, 2007, and 2008, and in addition has been nominated for 10 Emmy Awards for his eclectic compositional work on CBS’s “The Guiding Light”, which holds the record as the longest running TV show in American history. He has written music for well-known programs such as Dancing With the Stars, American Idol, Good Morning America (theme), Bloomberg Radio (theme), Access Hollywood, The 700 Club, and others. He also contributed music to the soundtracks of Bowfinger (1999 Universal), Legally Blonde (2001 MGM), and Panic (2000 Artisan). International Movie Database http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1474265 Minucci composed and produced the soundtracks for the Broadway Across America/Nickelodeon live stage productions of the international hit TV series, Dora the Explorer (Dora’s Pirate Adventure, The City of Lost Toys, and Return to the City of Lost Toys), all of which toured. He also wrote and recorded original songs for the live stage production of Thomas & Friends Live™, (both Thomas Saves The Day! and A Circus Comes to Town). Most recently he has contributed to the score of Peter Pan 360 (Herrick Entertainment/Threesixty Entertainment), which premiered in June of 2015. In August 2012, Prof. Chieli Minucci joined Beijing’s DeTao Masters Academy as a DeTao Master of Modern Music. http://www.detaoma.com/en/about/621901.htm

Working Experience • The leader & co-founder of the famous American contemporary world fusion band, “Special EFX featuring Chieli Minucci”. Education • Attended Ithaca College in upstate NY, where he initially majored in music, studying classical guitar, and continued as an English Major. He also attended Queens College in NYC, where he continued to study literature. Honors and Awards • Grammy nomination for “Modern Manners” - Chieli Minucci & Special EFX • Winner of three Emmy Awards (1998, 2007, 2008) CBS's “The Guiding Light” • Nominated for 10 Daytime Emmy Awards for his compositional work on CBS's “The Guiding Light”

- please see accompanying discography

___________________________________________________________________ DISCOGRAPHY Chieli Minucci, Special EFX featuring Chieli Minucci - CDs/DVDs Twenty Twenty 2 (2022 ChieliMusic) All Stars (2020 Trippin N Rhythm) Deep as the Night (2017 Trippin N Rhythm)

Without You (2010 ChieliMusic) Genesis (2013 Shanachie) Sweet Surrender (2007 Shanachie) A Night With Chieli Minucci & Special EFX (2006 Shanachie) Party (2003 Shanachie) Butterfly (2001 Shanachie) Masterpiece (1999 Shanachie) Body Language (1995 JVC) Catwalk (1994 JVC) Play (1993 JVC) Collection (1993 GRP/Verve) Global Village (1992 GRP/Verve) Peace Of The World (1991 GRP/Verve) Just Like Magic (1990 GRP/Verve) Confidential (1989 GRP/Verve) Double Feature (1988 GRP/Verve) Mystique (1987 GRP/Verve) Slice Of Life (1986 GRP/Verve) Modern Manners (1985 GRP/Verve) Special EFX (1984 GRP/Verve) _______________

ARTIST/PRODUCER - Chieli Minucci CDs Someone’s Singing (2022 ChieliMusic)

Got It Goin' On (2005 Shanachie) Night Grooves (2003 Shanachie) Sweet On You (2002 Shanachie) It's Gonna Be Good (1998 JVC) Renaissance (2009 & 1996 JVC) Jewels (1995 JVC) Travels (2009 Watchfire Music) East Of The Sun (2009 Watchfire Music)

Solos, Duos, & Trios (2008 ChieliMusic) Pop Today (2008 ChieliMusic) Raspberry & Cream (2008 ChieliMusic) Drippings (2008 ChieliMusic)

_______________ Smooth Jazz: Pure Pleasure Shanachie/1999 Flavors Of Jazz JVC/1997 Musicland & GRP: Got What's Hot In Jazz GRP/1992 The GRP Album GRP/2001 Jay Beckenstein “Sunrise” & “Lookin’ Up” Windham Hill/2000 from Eye Contact Windham Hill A Jazz Noel 1999 “Magic” & “Joyous” The Very Best Of Smooth Jazz Guitar Shanachie/1998 “Anything & Everything” GRP Christmas Volume 1 GRP/1988 Collection ___________________ PRODUCER/GUITARIST Traysee Leonard The Sax Therapist - 2021 ZatJazz Records

Lao Tizer Passages – Yse Records/2009 Golden Soul - Frathouse Records/2001 Short Play - LA Sound/1997 Jay Beckenstein 'Sunrise' - Windham Hill/2000 'Looking Up' 'I've Been Waiting' Rick Rhodes Now You See It, Now You Don't - Polystar/1994 Indian Summer - Polystar/1995 Deep in the Night - Beanbag/1998 Kim Pensyl Eyes Of Wonder GRP/1992 Deborah Henson-Conant The Art Of Harp (Vol. 1) - International Harp Festival 1996 Caught In The Act - GRP/1990 Talking Hands - GRP/1991 Budapest - White Cat/Unity/1992 Heather Mullen Heather Mullen Eastwest/1992

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RECORDING CREDITS

Maysa Music For Your Soul Spirit (Blue Velvet Soul Records 2023)

Gregory Abbott Whisper the Words featuring Chieli Minucci (Whisper the Words 2023)

Jason Jackson Midnight Ride (Jason Jackson Music 2023)

Tommy Davidson Kid Zero (TBR 2022-2023)

Dick Brewer (to be released 2022-2023)

Michael J Thomas Here’s Another Ditty (2022)

John Favicchia Kukuc 2020 (Distrokid 2020)

John Smalta Prayer (You are the Vision) (2020)

Smooth Jazz Alley Tidal (The Smooth Jazz Alley 2020)

Oli Silk Meet Me in the Middle (Trippin N Rhythm 2020)

Gary Honor The Pulse (Trippin N Rhythm 2020)

Nicolas Cole Soulmate (Trippin N Rhythm 2019)

Althea Rene Unstoppable (2017) Now & Forever

Lao Tizer Songs From the Swinghouse - 2017 Downbeat – JLK Productions/2012 Tizer Live – Yse Records/2010 Passages – Yse Records/2009 Diversify – Yse Records/2006 Golden Soul - Frathouse Records/2001 Short Play - LA Sound/1997

Bob Baldwin Mellow Wonder: Songs in the Key of Stevie City Sketches / Red River (2015) Never Can Say Goodbye (2010) Lookin’ Back (2009) The American Spirit: A Smooth Jazz Celebration (Narada 2002) “America The Beautiful” & “Star Spangled Banner”

The Omar Hakim Experience We Are One (2014)

Arshak Sirunyen Hoodman's Blind (2014)

Jim Peterik Forces at Play (World Stage International 2013)

Celine Dion The Essential Celine Dion (2011) My Love: Essential Collection (2008) One Heart (Sony 2003) A New Day Has Come (Sony 2002) Collector's Series, Vol. 1 (Sony 2000) These Are Special Times (550 Music/Epic 1998) Let's Talk About Love (1998) You Only Love Once

Les Paul and Friends: Tribute To A Legend (Immergent 2008) Donna Summer I Will (Sony 2003) Lionel Richie ”To Love A Woman” (Island Mercury 2002) Jennifer Lopez Dance Again – The Hits (2012) J to Tha L-O! The Remixes (2002) On the 6 (1999) Mark Anthony “Tragedy” from Mended (Columbia 2002) Jessica Simpson Irresistible (Sony 2001) Backstreet Boys Millennium “I Need You Tonight” (Jive/Zomba 1999) Linda Ciofalo Dancing With Johnny (2010) Paula Atherton Groove With Me (2009) Rick Nichols Project Synchrony (Linking Point 2008)

Robbie Kumalo Music is My Friend (2007)

Peter Primamore Grancia 2006

Various Artists 20th Centrury Masters; Smooth Jazz Christmas (Hip-O 2005) Jenny Burton Jenny Burton Experience (2005) The Jenny Burton Experience (Voiceworks 1995) Anastacia Pieces of a Dream (2005) Freak Of Nature (Sony 2002) Not That Kind (Sony 1999) Nestor Torres The Very Best of Nestor Torres (Shanachie 2007) My Latin Soul (Shanachie 2002) “Smooth” & “Hero” Philip Hamilton (2004) Blues, Rhythm, Rhythm & Blues Kevin Toni Strut (Shanachie 2001) John Favicchia Dharma (Fav Music 2001) True Vibe True Vibe (Essential/Zomba/2001) David Mann Touch (Encoded 2001) Tin Tin Out Anybody's’ Guess (Virgin 2000) Celeste This Is Your Life - (Ministry Of Sound/UK 2000) Carman Heart of a Champion (Sparrow/ EMI Christian Group 2000) Steelye Dan Tribute No Static At All (Samson 2000) “Josie” (w/ Dave Koz) Rosie O’Donnell A Rosie Christmas (Sony 2000) “Winter Wonderland” (with Donny Osmond) Club 1600 “Stay” (Encoded/N2K 2000) Samantha Sima Identity (Genie Entertainment 2000) Tre-O Music of the Heart (Sony 1999) “Seventeen” Tom Browne R ‘N’ Browne (Hip Bop 1999) Giselle d'Cole Giselle D’Cole (Sony/Disco 1999) Jewel Joy: A Holiday Collection (Atlantic 1999) Mya (Caliente/Atlantic 1999) Gerald Veasley Love Letters (composed “Hypnotize”) (Heads Up 1999) Marion Meadows Pleasure “Unbreak My Heart” (Sire/Discovery 1998) Bakithi Kumalo San Bonan (Siam 1998) Russell Gunn Ethnomusicology (Vol. 1) (Atlantic 1998) Ginette Reno Love Is All (Attic Records Limited 1998) Mercedes Hall Somewhere In Town (1998) Sola Haunts (Also Productions 1998) LaChanze Love (2009) Nicole Renee Nicole Renee (Atlantic 1998) “Memorabilia” Armsted Christian - The Wave Is Coming (Siam 1998) Will Downing - Invitation Only (Mercury 1997) Slim Mann - Secret Rendezvous (Encoded 1997) Angela Bofill - Love in Slow Motion (Shanachie 1996) Chaka Khan Epiphany: The Best Of Chaka Khan “Your Love Is All I Know” (Warner Bros 1996) Voyeur (Boulevard Columbia 1996) Lionel Hampton For the Love of Music (Mo Jazz 1996) E.Y.C. I Feel It (MCA 1996) “In The Beginning” Billy Mann Billy Mann (A&M 1996) Mark Johnson Mark Johnson (JVC 1994) Mavis Staple The Voice (Warner Bros./Paisley Park 1993) Christoph Spendel Cool Street (TCB 1993) Noel Pointer Never Lose Your Heart (Shanachie/Cachet 1993) Bemshi Woman Child (Capitol 1992) Gabor Kristof The Fast Lane (Champagne 1989) the Omar Hakim Experience We Are One (2014) Rhythm Love (GRP 1989) Roberta Flack Oasis (Atlantic 1988) Lala Lala (Arista 1987) The Bellestars World Domination (MCA/Stiff 1986) Cheryl Lynn It’s Gonna Be Alright (CBS/1985) Chris Hinze Saliah (Keytone 1984) High Fashion Make Up Your Mind (Capitol/EMI/1983) Change This Is Your Time (Atlantic/RFC 1983) The B.B.Q. Band Six Million Times (Capitol/EMI 1983) All Night Long (Capitol/EMI 1982) Compilations Various Artists Guitar Fire!: GRP Gold Encore... (1983) Various Artists GRP Digital Sampler, Vol. 1 (1984) Various Artists GRP Christmas Collection (1988) Various Artists KBLX - The Quiet Storm (1988) Various Artists WNUA 95.5: Smooth Sounds, Vol. 1 Various Artists WQCD: Cool Sounds of CD 101.9, Vol... (1988) Various Artists GRP: On the Cutting Edge (1989) Various Artists KIFM: Smooth Sounds of San Diego,... (1989) Various Artists WNUA 95.5: Smooth Sounds, Vol. 2 (1990) Various Artists WQCD: Cool Sounds of CD 101.9, Vol... (1990) Various Artists GRP Digital Sampler: On the... (1991) Various Artists KIFM: Smooth Sounds of San Diego,... (1991) Various Artists WCDJ: GRP Presents CD 96.9 -... (1991) Various Artists WHVE: The Wave (1991) Various Artists GRP 10th Anniversary Collection (1992) Various Artists Smooth Sounds of Quiet, Vol. 2 (1992) Various Artists Music Land & GRP: Got What's Hot... (1992) Various Artists World of Contemporary Jazz Groups (1993) Various Artists Flavors of Jazz (1997) Various Artists Hip Bop'N Smooth (1999) Various Artists Jazz Noel (1999) Various Artists Smooth Jazz: Pure Pleasure (1999) Various Artists Club 1600 (2000) Guitar Various Artists Smooth Jazz: Sexual Healing (2000) Various Artists Smooth Jazz Number Ones (2000) Various Artists 102.5 the Wave Various Artists GRP New Magic Digital Sampler, Vol... Various Artists GRP Digital Sampler, Vol. 2 Various Artits Music for the New Millennium (2000) Various Artists Satin Doll: Smooth Jazz Plays Duke (2001) Various Artists Smooth Jazz: The Quiet Storm (2001) Various Artists Smooth Jazz: Sweet Love (2002) My Kind Of Jazz Sheer Sound (South Africa 2002) A Taste of Pop Jazz (Pop Jazz) Various Artists The best of Jazzin' Around - Sheer Sound ___________________ ARRANGING CREDITS Jay Beckenstein Eye Contact (Windham Hill/2000) “Sunrise” & “Lookin’ Up” Patrick “Patches” Stewart Penetration (Hip Bop 1998) remixes & edits Spyro Gyra “Ariana” from Love & Other Obsessions (GRP 1995) “Heart Of The Night” (GRP 1996) “Ariana” from Retrospective (GRP 1997) ___________________ SOUNDTRACKS, FILM, & TELEVISION

Firehouse Dog (2007) “Lady Is A Vamp” (Minucci/Kallins/Skinner) Todd Holland - director No Country For Old Men (2007) “Deep Cry” (Minucci/Kallins) The Coen Brothers - directors Legally Blonde (2001) ”Perfect Day” Bowfinger (1999) “Super Smooth” (C. Minucci/M. Kallins) Frank Oz - director Snake Eyes (1998) “Fiesta Mexicana” Brian DePalma One of the primary composers, and 3 time Emmy Award recipient, since 1999, for the CBS daytime drama, Guiding Light. Has composed over 700 individual cues. ___________________

STAGE Most recently has contributed to the score of Peter Pan 360 (Herrick Entertainment/Threesixty Entertainment), which premiered in June of 2015.

Composed and produced the soundtrack for the 2003-2015 Clear Channel/Nickolodeon live tour productions of the hit TV series, Dora the Explorer. - Dora's Pirate Adventure - The City of Lost Toys - Storytime Adventures Chieli has written and recorded the soundtrack for the smash hit Themestar stage production of the long-running British kid's TV show, Thomas & Friends Live! - Thomas Saves The Day! Composed background music, since 1997, for As The World Turns, and Another World, scoring over 400 individual cues. ABC-TV The Beach Boys: An American Family (2000) “Surf and Turf” HBO “Watch Out HBO” (2000)

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SOUNDTRACKS

Performed as guitarist on: American Made (Imagine Entertainment/Cross Creek Pictures 2017) (starring Tom Cruise)

Uptown Girls (MGM/2003) (starring Brittany Murphy) Double Platinum (Arif Mardin/1999) starring Diana Ross & Brandy (TV movie) Clean & Narrow (Showtime 1999) Jimmy Webb- composer The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Disney 1996) starring Bette Midler Ishtar (Columbia 1987) Dave Grusin-composer starring Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman ___________________ MUSIC LIBRARY PRODUCTION

Gotham Library/Firstcom (distributed by Universal Music) As one of the chief staff-writers for this longtime music production library, Minucci composed, recorded, and performed more than 150 individual CDs for Gotham Music between 1998 till present. These compositions have appeared in countless television and radio programs, advertising jingles, as well as in major motion pictures. www.firstcom.com Composed the main station IDs for Bloomberg News, NYC (2019 - present)

Composed all the music, including the main station IDs for Bloomberg Radio, NYC (2000-2001) Sound Ideas/Westar Music Library Over The Edge (2002) X-Treme Sports 2 (2002) Manhattan Silhouette (2001) Sex & Romance (2001) Neon Nights (1999) Second Cup (1999) De Wolfe Music Latin Power (1999) Smooth Jazz #4 Killer Tracks The 60’s Vol. 1 (1997) Firstcom American Dream Vol. 2 (1996) Lifestyles (1995) American Dream (1994)

My Jazz Story

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