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Take Five With Chris Zamora

By AAJ Staff
April 8, 2009
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Meet Chris Zamora:

Chris's passion for the guitar started at age eight. A guitarist for award-winning singer and Hollywood actress Lisa Zane, he also played for Andrew Chuckerman, the Grammy-nominated musical director and keyboardist for Stevie Wonder, LeAnn Rimes and Rod Stewart. Past sessions include performances with Brazilian percussionist Dede Sampaio (Miles Davis, etc).

His early sessions with Dede's group allowed him to play with other great musicians such as Pat Metheny's bassist and producer Steve Rodby. Chris is endorsed by the FirstAct Guitar Company through their Emerging Artists Program. In 2002, Chris received the Filipino American Hall of Fame award for Music.

He is a member of the American Society of Composers and Publishers (ASCAP).

Instrument(s):

Guitars.

I knew I wanted to be a musician when... I first heard Wes Montgomery and George Benson playing with guys like Jack McDuff and thinking "What !!A guitar can do that ?!!!"

Your sound and approach to music: I like to be honest when I create the sounds with my guitar. What comes out is 100% me. The tone is what I feel during the moment. Even if it takes leaving a little dirt in. My approach to music is the same thing. I don't tend to think too much about what the norm is. I can't. I'm an Asian dude fusing as much attitude from back home as I can.

Your teaching approach: I just want to jam and exchange ideas in class. Anyone can grab theory from home.

Your dream band:

Jack DeJohnette, Keith Jarrett, Christian McBride, Miles Davis and John Coltrane.

Your favorite recording in your discography and why? "Na Tempestade," from my CD Reflections of Midnight. That's where I got to play most of the guitar work I love. From the acoustic to the Strat. The title is in Portuguese, and means "Into the Storm." Exactly what was about to happen during a phase in my life.

Did you know...

I'm left-handed. But I play the guitar with my right.

CDs you are listening to now:

Holst: The Planets

Composer: Gustav Holst

Conductor: Sir Alexander Gibson

As performed by: Royal Scottish National Orchestra

Dvorak

Music For Chamber Winds

Record Label: Altissimo!

Originally released: 20-06-2006

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