Adam "Ticoman" Hernandez is a guitarist/songwriter out of Nashville, TN. Originally from Tulsa, OK and being half Costa Rican, Tico grew up with a diverse musical influences from country, rock, Latin, blues, and more. Since moving to Nashville, Tico has toured extensively with artists such as: Jaci Velasquez, Nicole C. Mullen, The Farm, The Jane Dear Girls, Pillar, Group 1 Crew, and more. He is currently band leader and guitarist for Lauren Alaina. They are touring with Alan Jackson as well as promoting her current single “Road Less Traveled" on Mercury Nashville. Live or in the studio, Tico can be seen using his Eastman Red T386 Thinline.

Twitter: @ticoman

Adrian Utley is an English musician and producer, and a member of the band Portishead. During his career, Utley has worked with artists as diverse as Jeff Beck, Patti Smith, Jarvis Cocker, Massive Attack, Perfume Genius, Alain Bashung, and Marianne Faithfull. His film work includes Sound by Nic Roeg, Arcadia by Paul Wright, and The Passion of Joan of Arc by Carl Dreyer with Will Gregory.

Alessandro “Asso” Stefana (born September 25th, 1981) is an Italian guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer.

He is best known for his collaborations with PJ HARVEY, MIKE PATTON “MONDOCANE”, and producer VINICIO CAPOSSELA, one of the most important and influential modern Italian songwriters.
He's also the founder of the Italian band GUANO PADANO, a group inspired by the sound of Italian Film Soundtracks and Spaghetti Western music, mixed with surf/psychedelic/jazz/country and experimental.
Alessandro is featured on albums by: MARC RIBOT, ALESSANDRO ALESSANDRONI (the renowned whistler of the Ennio Morricone soundtracks), JOEY BURNS (CALEXICO), DAN FANTE, MARK ORTON, BOBBY SOLO, and many others...
He has played many high profile festivals around the world, in some of the most prestigious theaters, concert halls, and clubs, including: Australia, Austria, Finland, Ethiopia, Canada, Portugal, Canary Islands, Russia, Israel, USA, Sweden, Cile, Argentina, Brazil, UK, France, Belgium, USA, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Poland, Slovenya, Belgium, Spain, Greece, Italy.
Albums Alessandro has played on have been released by: Warner Bros, Atlantic, Nonesuch, Thrill Jockey, Ipecac Recordings, Important Records, Skirl Records, Acuarela, S-Curve Records, La Cùpa, Tremoloa Records, Goodfellas, Mescal, Foolica Records, Woland, Urtovox, Malintenti dischi, Santeria, Homesleep, Wallace Records, El Gallo RojoRrecords, Pocket Heaven, Niegazowana Records, Holidays Records, Gibilterra.

www.alessandrostefana.com
https://www.facebook.com/assostefana/

Critics consider Andrés Thor to be one of the finest Icelandic jazz guitarists of his generation. His music combines the eloquence of the guitar-led jazz tradition with a zesty, rock-imbued drive. On “Ypsilon,” his 5th album as a leader, he presents original compositions that blend his positively ambrosial tonal palette with elegant harmonic substance and incisive, ornamented cross-rhythms. The album features collaborators from Denmark, Iceland and the renowned drum virtuoso Ari Hoenig, from the U.S.A.

Andrés began his musical studies at age 12 in his hometown Hafnarfjordur, a little harbour town nearby Reykjavík, Iceland. At first, his influences were glitter rock and hippie rock bands such as Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, and Bon Jovi. Andres first heard the music of John Coltrane and Pat Metheny while in his teens, leading him to be fascinated with jazz music. Soon, he started studying with some of Iceland's finest jazz educators at the FIH music school. After graduating, his musical quest brought him to study at the Koninklijk Conservatorium (The Royal Conservatory) in The Hague, The Netherlands in the year 2000. Andres finished his BM in spring 2004, and his Master's degree in the spring of 2006. In Holland, Andres studied under the guidance of Wim Bronnenberg, Peter Nieuwerf, Eef Albers, John Ruocco and Hein v/d Geyn as his main teachers. He also attended workshops and masterclasses led by musicians such as Michael Brecker, Kurt Rosenwinkel, John Abercrombie and Avishai Cohen, as well as performing at a concert held in the City Hall in The Hague, with the late great Michael Brecker and the Royal Conservatory big band.

Living and studying in the Netherlands led to the first CD featuring Andrés as a co-leader — It Was a Very Good Year (WW&T 2004), by the organ trio, Wijnen, Winter & Thor, and featured songs by Andrés and organ player Bob Wijnen, in addition to a collectively composed piece by the trio.

Since then, Andrés has been working in and out of Iceland, and has released five albums under his own name. He has also released a handful of albums in collaboration. Andrés has been active in various collective projects, and as a sideman with bands like ASA trio, Icewegian, The Viking Giant Show, BonSom, Andreas Dreier quartet, and Music with Z, to name a few. Andres Thor has been an active performer and educator in Iceland, and has performed in Scandinavia, Europe and the USA. He continues to perform as a session musician in studios, at concerts, and in theater productions, where he doubles on mandolin, banjo and steel guitars.

Photo Credit: Alexander Schwarz

Andrew Capra is an American songwriter, producer and session vocalist living in Nashville, Tennessee. Since the disbanding of his band Brave Citizens, Capra began working as a session vocalist in Los Angeles and has written for and sang on a variety of albums, films, and commercials. His vocals were also used in a vocal sample library for SoundBetter. The 2016 Netflix film Walt Before Mickey, starring Thomas Ian Nicholas and Jon Heder, included the song "Just a Wish", written by Capra along with Rob Graves and Jeremy Rubolino. The song was performed by American Idol finalist Julie Zorrilla. Songs in Capra's catalog have been heard on terrestrial radio and Netflix, TV networks like NBCand Fox, as well as part of campaigns for companies like Mazda, Mountain Dew and Engelbert Strauss.

Best Coast is an American rock duo formed in Los Angeles, California in 2009. The band consists of songwriter, guitarist and vocalist Bethany Cosentino, and guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Bobb Bruno.

Website: www.bestcoast.net

Facebook: @bestcoast

Twitter: @bestcoast

Performance: http://www.thecurrent.org/feature/2015/06/10/the-current-s-guitar-collection-best-coast-s-bobb-bruno-eastman-t386?WT.mc_id=09da04f881093310bc5d41581aa13342

Barry Hay is an Indian-born, Dutch musician, best known as the lead vocalist and frontman of Dutch rock band Golden Earring. Golden Earring topped the charts in 1974 with their single, “Radar Love,” which was a major hit in both the U.S. and Europe. Most recently, Barry released his autobiography and put out an album with his side-project Flying V Formation. Barry had nothing but praise for his E20OOSS — "I love my little Eastman beauty."

Before joining the Eastman faculty in late 1997, Sneider toured for several years with two-time Grammy Award winner Chuck Mangione. Other notable performers with whom Sneider has performed, toured or recorded include: Nat Adderley, Joe Locke, Don Menza, Lou Donaldson, Joey Defrancesco, Pat Bianchi, Gary Versace, Pat Labarbara, Joe Locke, Grant Stewart, Ken Peplowski, Gerry Niewood, Chris Potter, Roy McCurdy, Eric Alexander, David Hazeltine, Frank Strazzerri, Jon Faddis, Keeter Betts and frequent appearances with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Pops(guitar/banjo). Sneider has performed in major festivals, concert halls and jazz clubs throughout South America, Central America, North America and Europe. Sneider is a graduate of the University of Rochester where he studied with Bill Dobbins and Ramon Ricker. Growing up in Brockton, MA, Sneiders mentor and teacher was Chet Kruley – a veteran of the Fletcher Henderson, and Nat Pierce bands.

Sneider has several solo and co-led cd projects that have received rave reviews and international airplay: Introducing Bob Sneider (self produced), Out of the Darkness (Sonsofsound), duo projects with pianist Paul Hofmann -Interconnection (Sonsofsound) and Escapade (Sonsofsound) and Serve & Volley (Origin), The Bob Sneider/Joe Locke Film Noir Project – Fallen Angel (Sonsofsound) and Nocturne for Ava (Origin), All Through The Night (RIJF). Several of his students have won major jazz competitions and attended renowned institutes: YoungArts, DownBeat, Grammy National Band, The Brubeck Institute, Kennedy Center / Jazz Ahead.

Website: www.bobsneider.net

Facebook: @sneiderbros

Performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMtY8yANjV4

Brett Simons, Producer/Multi-instrumentalist/Vocalist who is currently the bassist/vocalist for Country/Rock legend Dwight Yoakam. Brett has played and recorded with Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys, Melissa Etheridge, Liz Phair, Fiona Apple, and many others.

Website: www.brettsimons.com

Facebook: @brettsimons

Casey Foubert is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, producer, freelance engineer, and touring sideman currently living in Western Illinois. He has toured, recorded, or otherwise collaborated with Sufjan Stevens, The Shins, Lucius, Gabriel Kahane, Richard Swift, David Bazan, S. Carey, Damien Jurado, and many others.

Cass McCombs has released ten records over the past fifteen years. His most recent, “Mangy Love,” (ANTI- Records) received four stars from Rolling Stone, Mojo, and The Guardian, and led to a performance on Ellen. NY Times called him “one of the great songwriters of his time.” McCombs currently lives in Northern California.

Website: www.cassmccombs.com

“I take great pride in my tone and my Eastman Uptown has been delivering for years. I like a vintage archtop tone with no effects into a tough solid state amp (Polytone). The guitar is clean and full, with the perfect amount of high end, which is the key to that classic 60′s jazz guitar sound.

My new T146 is remarkable. It delivers that true archtop tone which is the heart of my sound, from my solo work to Freddie Green-style big band rhythm playing. Every time I play it I fall in love again with the bright, punchy tone, and expert craftsmanship.”

New York City based jazz guitarist Charlie Apicella is the founder of IRON CITY. The band has headlined regional festivals and jazz clubs The Iridium, Fat Cat, Banjo Jim’s, Puppet’s, Trumpets and Cecil’s, as well as Chris’ Jazz Club, Philadelphia and Nomad, Wilmington, DE. Additionally, he is in demand with big bands for his strong rhythm playing. Charlie has collaborated with saxophonist Stephen Riley, percussionist Mayra Casales, violinist John Blake, Jr., organist Dan Kostelnick, and is produced by guitarist Dave Stryker.

What Others Have to Say About Charlie
“Apicella is a lithe, swinging guitarist with an affinity for the contrasting styles of both Grant Green and Wes Montgomery…An all-around impressive debut by a guitarist of substance.” - MARK GARDNER, Jazz Journal

”Apicella is a no-nonsense player of unquestioned chops and whose soul drips from each note… This is “organic” music, and Apicella is an exciting young player…Apicella immediately brings to mind Grant Green. He’s funky, he’s bluesy, and he’s not afraid to get dirty at times. The perfect illustration of how great this band is together is Charlie’s “64 Cadillac.” Apicella and band have that perfect jazz rapport that allows them to be tight as hell and play off each other beautifully.” - JOHN HEIDT, Vintage Guitar Magazine

“Apicella’s playing shines…[he] is aware of the straight-ahead tradition, showcasing his Wes Montgomery influence…Apicella’s guitar sound is bright and clean, and easily cuts through the huge sound of the organ.” - TIM FISCHER, Just Jazz Guitar Magazine

Website: www.charlieapicella.com

Performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X3ZRYpcLRw&feature=youtu.be

Chazwick Bradley Bundick,  better known by his stage name Toro y Moi, is an American recording artist and producer. His music has taken on many forms since he began recording, but he is often identified with the rise of the chillwave movement in 2010 and 2011. His stage name is a multilingual expression consisting of the Spanish words toro and y (meaning "bull" and "and", respectively), and the French word moi (meaning "me")

Website: www.toroymoi.com

Facebook: @toroymoi

Chris Blackwell has been playing professionally since the age of 15. His guitar playing can be heard on numerous recordings, film and television shows. Chris is a first call session guitarist in Atlanta, Georgia and has toured with Jennifer Holliday, Bo Bice, James Otto, Chinua Hawk and many more.

Chris Darley is the guitarist for American indie/rock band Father John Misty.

Performing full time with Grammy nominated band Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, Chris switches seamlessly from international music to jazz, rock, bluegrass and country comfortably. He has even studied Brazilian Jazz with Seattle based Brazil music legend, Jovino Santos Neto.
Chris’ musicianship reflects the multitude of musical influences he turns to for inspiration. His acoustic guitar playing really stands out, but this virtuosic, multi-instrumentalist is equally at home playing mandolin, drums, bass, electric guitar, banjo, and Greek bouzouki!
In addition, Chris has found himself performing onstage with the likes of Jerry Douglas, Emmylou Harris, Rob Ickes, The Steep Canyon Rangers, Alison Brown and Garry West, The Boxcars, Bobby Osborne, Yogi and The Yogini’s, and many others.

Producer, guitarist, and songwriter for the legendary rock band Heart, Craig's playing adds a unique and exciting energy to Heart's music. He has also worked with Blondie, Madonna, Nikki Sixx, and Simply Red, among others.

Website: www.craigbartock.com

Facebook: @craigbartockmusic

PC: Kimberly Adamis

Dave Davies is an English singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is best known as the lead guitarist, backing (and occasional lead) singer for the English rock band The Kinks, which also featured his older brother Ray Davies.

In 2003, Davies was ranked 91st in Rolling Stone Magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time."

David Vandervelde is an American indie pop songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. He is known for his solo work and his studio collaborations with Wilco's Jay Bennett. Vandervelde is a multi instrumentalist/ singer songwriter/ recording engineer/ producer. He plays drums, piano, guitars, bass and various analog synthesizers.

Twitter: @dvandervelde

Performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcKbMjr2r4o&list=RDTcKbMjr2r4o#t=103

On his Innervision Records debut dee Brown, who's tasty Melodies grooves and vibe perfectly reflects its unforgettable title Brown Sugar, Honey-Coated Love, collaborates with some of Detroit's best talents including Dezie McCullers Jr. The son of one of the original Motown "Funk Brothers". Valdez Brantley producer, keyboardist and M.D. for Usher his brother Kern Brantley former basis with Grover Washington Jr, Chip Dixon a notable gospel producer, songwriter, keyboard programer and engineer. Soul Trumpeter" and instrumentalists recording artist Lin Rountree and DJ Shannon Rice. Realizing that jazz comes out tastier when he's inspired by and bouncing ideas off musician's and songwriter's he had admired, Brown co-wrote with Dixson Honeycomb and I am here for you (I'll never leave you) featuring the soulful vocals of co-writer Shaunia Edwards. In addition, the guitars co-wrote seven new tracks with Valdez including "My love's forever" with McCullers, "Smile again") with lead vocals by co-writer Arnel Carmichael) "Pleasurable Dreams" featuring (Brown on scat vocals) "Ice Cream Sunday " "Natural Love" and the infectious title featuring Rountree soaring trumpet and flugelhorn. Brown included a glorious old-school cover of The Intruders' Philly Soul hit, "I'll always love my mama" as a dedication to his beloved mother Roceal Brown.

Website: http://www.deebrownmusic.com/deeBrown.html

Facebook: @deeBrownJazzguitar

Deniz Tek is a guitarist, singer and songwriter from Ann Arbor, Michigan. His career in music, grounded in late-'60s Detroit rock, extends through several decades and across continents. He is best known as a founding member of the influential Australian independent rock band Radio Birdman.
Besides Radio Birdman, Deniz has performed in many solo and group projects and bands, including guest appearances with Iggy and the Stooges, Sonic’s Rendezvous Band, and touring with the MC5.
In 2007, Deniz, along with Radio Birdman, was inducted into the Australian Music Hall of Fame. In 2013, he was ranked number seven in the 100 all-time greatest guitar players of Australia, by Australian Guitar Magazine.
Deniz’s current release, CD and LP “Lost For Words”, is out September 1st, 2018 on Career Records. The next album is in production now.
Deniz Tek, between Radio Birdman and his live solo band, continues to tour extensively in the USA, Europe, Australia and most recently, China.

Dino Plasmati is an Italian jazz guitarist, educator, composer and big band conductor. The son of avocalist/drumer, he began his experience with jazz at a very early age. At 9, he commenced the study of jazz guitar, forming his first band at age 15. Named Meridiana, the group enjoyed great success touring Italy and Europe, recording four CDs of Dino’s original compositions and
arrangements.

After earning his Diploma at the Conservatoire of Music in his hometown of Matera, he attended Berklee’s summer programs in Perugia with Jim Kelly and Donovan Mixon (1989) and took partin several master classes with various teachers, such as Pat Matheny (Ravenna 2003), PatMartino (Philadelphia 2014) and Larry Blank, the latter with whom he studied Composition andArrangement. In 1992 he was voted Best Young Jazz Talent at the Eddie Lang Jazz Festival in Monteroduni. A refined and versatile musician, Dino has performed in many different bands and orchestras, acquiring extensive experience and becoming one of the most accomplished guitarist son the Italian jazz scene.

He is the sole Artistic Director of the jazz association Mifajazz, founded in 2006, and developed thanks to the work of many musicians and supportive friends. Since 2009 they have annually
hosted the Mifajazz Big Band Festival, an international gathering of jazz orchestras and marching bands incluing the Lucanian Jazz Project (LJP) big band in which Dino plays the role of both conductor and guitarist.

Over the years, Dino has continued to release records, some of which feature international guest artists positively acclaimed by critics and listeners. He recorded 16 CDs of his own for the following labels: EmArcy/Universal, Alfa Music, Wide Sound, Preludio, C.M.C., Farelive and others, while appearing in 4 as sidema. His music has also been used for TV shows, documentaries and movies.

His latest work, Matera encounters (Alfa Music), with LJP Big Band features Bobby Watson as special guest soloist. Together, they have performed live in Southern Italy at many summer festivals.

He has played in New York (US), Great Britain, Wales, Ireland, Netherlands, China, Bulgaria, Argentina, Germany, Belarus, in many top- rated jazz clubs and in almost 50 Italian and international festivals.

During his career, Dino has played with Italian and international great musicians such as Bobby Watson, Chris Potter, Evan Parker, Randy Brecker, Vince Mendoza, Steve Grossman, Jack Walrath, Michel Pilz, Bob Mover, Michael Rosen, Alfredo Paixão, Israel Varela, Robert Bonisolo, Brian Charette, Daniel Moreno, Brandon Lewis, Alan Korzin, Eric Finland, Jordan Rose, Howard Britz, Charlie Apicella, Paolo Fresu, Bruno Tommaso, Fabio Morgera, Emanuele Cisi, Joyce Yuille, Patrick Clahar, Pierre Favre, Tamia, Gianluigi Trovesi, Javier Girotto, Joy Garrison, Eileina Dennis, Martin Jacobsen, Massimo Manzi, Adam Rapa, Rosalia De Souza, Cheryl Porter, Nicola Stilo, Gabriele Mirabassi, Nico Gori, Paolo Tomelleri, Ettore Fioravanti, Gegè Telesforo, Eugenio Colombo, Bepi D'Amato, Achille Succi, Marco Sannini, Marco Micheli, Francesco Marini, Luciano Biondini, Roberto Cipelli, Attilio Zanchi, Max Ionata, Pino Minafra, Paolo Damiani, Francesco Nastro, Agostino Marangolo, Giovanni Maier, Beppe Caruso, Tino Tracanna, Marco Tamburini,
Roy Paci, Ada Rovatti, Roberto Ottaviano, Marcello Nisi, Marco Di Battista, Luca Pirozzi, Rosa Emilia Dias, John McCrae, Mimmo Campanale, Ana Flora, Claudia Marss, Gabriele Pesaresi, Elisabetta Antonini, Gianluca Renzi, Ada Rovatti, Gaetano Partipilo, Frankie Novak, Gianni Lenoci, Chicago High Spirit, Orchestra Utopia, Belcanto Project, Lucanian Big Band, Meridiana Group, Jazz Studio Orchestra, The Bumps, Pastor Ron Hubbard & Gospel Show and many others. Plasmati is a full time and avid guitar teacher at secondary school as well as a part- time teacher at Conservatory. Additionally, he authored a book on Egidio R. Duni-Duny, an Italian musician and composer born in Matera who was active in Italy , France and London and played a key role in the
development of the Comédie mêlée d'ariettes in the 18th century. He’s actually working with the following projects: THE HAMMOND TRIO; DINO PLASMATI HAMMOND TRIO feat. MICHAEL ROSEN; OPEN QUARTET; LJP BIG BAND (as guitarist and conductor) and the FUNKOLLECTIVE.

His first Eastman was an AR880CE John Pisano signature; it remains his favorite guitar to this day. He also owns and plays AR810CE, ER4, ER2, AR380CE, AR405CE, AR371CE. A huge fan of Eastman guitars, he adores their captivating designs, quality materials (pick ups, tailpieces & premium woods)and clean finishes, characteristics which, combined, assure an enhanced quality of sound. Finally, the smooth necks make playing easier and more comfortable.

Dirk Powell combines deep-running roots in rural American tradition with an overarching artistic vision that speaks poignantly to the audiences of today. From learning banjo and fiddle at the feet of his grandfather in Kentucky, through founding the Louisiana Cajun group Balfa Toujours, to extensive recording and film work with such artists as Jack White, Joan Baez, T-Bone Burnett, Anthony Minghella, Loretta Lynn, and Spike Lee, Dirk has arrived at a place all his own - one where tradition, inspiration, and innovation meet without borders.

Website: www.dirkpowell.org/

American Jazz guitarist Douglas Martin, started studying music at age 12. Growing up in the San Francisco area of California he was fortunate to be exposed to live jazz and blues from a very early age.

In his teenage years, he studied rock and blues and later classical guitar with renowned guitar instructor, Charles Ferguson (College of San Mateo, Stanford University). Later on, Douglas was fortunate to study jazz improvisation and harmony with pianist and composer Charles “Gus” Gustavson (College of San Mateo) as well as trumpeter Fred Berry (College of San Mateo, Stanford University). During his time studying at College of San Mateo and San Francisco State University he was also active in playing in two big band jazz orchestras, while also maintaining an active schedule playing in local small clubs.

In his early twenties Douglas was fortunate to become a student of renown jazz educator Warren Nunes, who is well known for having authored several books on jazz guitar and improvisation including his most famous book, “Jazz Guitar Chord Bible”.

In recent years Douglas Martin has been very active in the jazz world as well as gypsy jazz scene. In 2007 while living between Shanghai and San Francisco, he began a collaboration with gypsy guitarist from Germany, Lulo Reinhardt. That same year the two of them recorded an album titled Latin Swing Quartet. The group also included bassist Harald Becher and Australian violinist Daniel Weltlinger. The group performed in the US, Germany, China and Australia. In 2008 the group also recorded a live CD and DVD in Melbourne, Australia.

Douglas Martin performed several times in Germany with Lulo Reinhardt including gypsy festivals where he was sometimes the only “non-gypsy” guitar player. In 2007 and 2008 they performed at the Django’s Erben Festival in Koblenz, Germany, before major headlining acts such as Tchavalo Schmitt and the Rosenberg Trio.

In 2008 while performing with Lulo Reinhardt in Shanghai, Douglas also sat in with David Reinhardt (grandson of Django Reinhardt) as well as top European gypsy jazz giants, Dorado Schmitt and Samson Schmitt.

After moving back to California in 2009, Douglas formed his own group, The Avatar Ensemble, which mixed gypsy jazz with vintage swing and latin rhythms. The group performed at several festivals in the US including Djangofest in San Francisco and Seattle as well as guitars festivals such as the University of California Davis Guitar Festival in 2010.

While performing at the Seattle Djangofest in 2010, Douglas was also asked to perform with Jazz legend Howard Alden. Howard Alden is one of the leading jazz guitarists in the US who is known for having performed the music for the Woody Allen movie “Sweet And Lowdown”. At that same festival Douglas also performed with Mimi Fox, who is considered one of the top jazz guitarists in the world.

In 2010 Douglas began performing with Grammy award winning guitarist and composer, John Jorgenson. For the next three years Doug was a member of the John Jorgenson Quintet, an American gypsy jazz group performing 150 shows a year. During this time period with John Jorgenson, Doug was on tour every month playing all over the US as well as Europe every year. By being a member of JJQ, Doug was able to collaborate with well-known artists such as Richard Thompson, Tommy Emanuel, Lollo Meier, Paulus Schafer, and more. The group has performed in nearly every US state. One of Douglas’ favorite performances with JJQ included playing in New York City’s Iridium Club at 52nd St. and Broadway. The Iridium Club was owned by legendary Godfather of the electric guitar, Les Paul and is considered a sacred stage for guitarists. Doug Martin performed with JJQ in several countries in Europe including Germany, England, Scotland, Luxembourg and Italy.

In 2012 Douglas Martin moved back to China and has been in Beijing ever since. During these last several years in China Doug has been the lead guitarist for the swing band, Hot Club of Beijing. HCOB performs all over China and has won Beijing’s Best Band by Beijing City Weekend Magazine three times in 2011, 2012 and 2016. The group has performed in several of the best clubs in China including Blue Note (Beijing), Ola (Nanjing), and more. Additionally, they regularly perform at music festivals and private events all over the country.

Besides his work with Hot Club of Beijing, Douglas also collaborates with Beijing singer Marie Claude Lebel and her group Madamoiselle Et Son Orchestre.

When Douglas Martin is not working with these projects he can be found performing with his small jazz trio DM3, which performs traditional bebop jazz guitar as well as original compositions with bassist Xu Guangjun (aka ET) and Irish drummer, Fiach O’Brian.

More information can be found at: www.dougmartinguitar.com

Throughout the '70s, '80s, and '90s, Dudley Connell has remained an important figure in bluegrass music, first as the founder and mainstay of the Johnson Mountain Boys and later as a member of the Seldom Scene.

Good Deale Bluegrass founder and multi-instrumentalist Tim Finch teams up with the sweet vocals and songwriting styles of Savannah Finch along with a superb cast of their talented musician friends. This all original album creates a unique melding of the roots of Bluegrass with Americana exemplifying an “Alt-grass” sound. The Eastman String Band mixes heartfelt originals with high energy instrumentals and soaring harmonies!

“Bluegrass is experiencing a growth spurt. What was not that long ago a very rigid musical form is now moving beyond its borders. One of the bands helping to usher in new ways of hearing traditional sounds is Tim & Savannah Finch and the Eastman String band. Their self-titled album packs lots of familiar textures into their playing. Savannah Finch’s vocals are mountain stream clear, her notes rising up through the air, cutting a path with powerful pipes that know their range and potential. Tim Finch’s time with the Good Deale

Bluegrass Band with Mike Auldridge helped further his natural abilities and talents. He brings the results to this release…” -Danny McCloskey, The Alternate Root Magazine

Website: http://www.eastmanstringband.com/

Performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rhw5SMeqPHo

Elliot Schwartzman is a multi instrumentalist from Los Angeles, CA. He currently tours full time with country legend, Dwight Yoakam but during his seven years on the west coast he's had the privilege of touring, playing and/or recording with many other talented artists including Jason Mraz, Zendaya, Casey Abrams, Kendal Schmidt (Big Time Rush) and many others.

Website: www.jameselliotmusic.com

Performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuLHjjeJZTQ

Emanuel Schmidt is a Swiss guitarist, composer and educator based in Zürich, Switzerland. Emanuel has been leading his own groups and performing as a sideman in Sydney (1995-2010), Las Vegas (2010-2014) and Germany and Switzerland (since 2014). He composes for and presents stylistically diverse projects that always owe something to the great jazz tradition. His most recent extensive composition is a non-tonal Suite for Solo Guitar.

As a bandleader, he has led projects ranging from an organ trio (most recently with Jean-Yves Jung / organ and Jean-Marc Robin / drums) to a duo with renowned Las Vegas harpist Kimberley Delibero-Glennie (FIFTY-THREE) as well as the CONTOUR project (with Jeff Davis and Alex Clements). Since returning to Switzerland, Emanuel has been busy composing for his next studio album and performing with the TRIGGER CONCERT BIG BAND, including a project with internationally renowned saxophonist Perico Sambeat.

Emanuel's bands and projects Down Under have featured many of Australia's finest jazz artists, including Miroslav Bukovsky, Andrew Dickeson, Sandy Evans, Tim Firth, Toby Hall, Mark Harris, Gerard Masters, Craig Scott, Alister Spence, and Ashley Turner. One of his groups, Jabbôq Jazz, won the 2006 and 2008 Australian Achiever Award in the Entertainment category. Emanuel's quartet was featured in the 2000 EIGHT O'CLOCK SHARP: Jazz In The Round series showcasing Sydney jazz guitarists and their bands. From 2008 until 2009, Emanuel was Jazz Artist in Residence at Sydney venue 72 Erskine, where most of his concerts sold out.

In Las Vegas, Emanuel's projects featured Cocho Arbe (ex-Alex Acuña), Alex Clements, Jeff Davis, Wayne DeSilva, Steve Flora, Jess Gopen, and Skip Martin, and he performed alongside George Garzone and Tom Hall, among others. Emanuel was the guitarist for the Las Vegas Mystery Band/the Las Vegas Collective, the Las Vegas World Jazz Orchestra, and the Buddy Charles Jazz Orchestra. In September 2012, Emanuel debuted his own group to a packed house at the E-String in Las Vegas, and he also sold out the debut performance for his original music project, the FARERO Quartet with Otto Ehling, Jeff Davis and Mike Mechem.

Emanuel has also performed in two musicals: 'Keating! The Musical' (2007, Australia Tour, multi-award-winning Company B production); and 'Lion King' (Las Vegas, Mandalay). He released his first album, Moonlit Questions (Indie/Schräägi Musig), a 2-CD debut set of original works in 2007, which received enthusiastic reviews. "...truly communicates. ★★★★" (Matt Bailey, 2MBS's Fine Music Magazine)

Emanuel's performances and interviews have aired on Eastside Radio, 2NSBFM, 2MBS-FM, 2SER, SBS Radio (Australia) and KUNV (Las Vegas). He is currently a member of Jazzforschung (The International Society for Jazz Research, based in Graz, Austria), served on the boards of both Vegas Jazz and the American Jazz Initiative and is an experienced educator and writer. He holds a PhD in Music (Sydney Conservatorium of Music / University of Sydney) and a Masters in Music Education from UNLV. He has lectured in Harmony, Composition, and Advanced Ear Training at the Wesley Institute and at UNLV. He has designed curriculum for jazz guitar and high school jazz band and teaches guitar and composition privately as well as in music schools.

"an outstanding and versatile guitarist of exceptional ability… extraordinarily thoughtful."
"…an accomplished and imaginative composer." (Ian Shanahan / The Australian Music Centre)
"…clearly an excellent guitarist… thoughtful and lyrically impassioned, and with a beautiful sound." (John Clare, Sydney Morning Herald)
"Just the way great jazz should be made, from the soul, expressing the feelings of the moment…" (Phil James, Eastside Radio)

New York guitarist and composer Eric DiVito has been leading his own groups and performing as a sideman in the NYC and tristate area since 2003. He performs at many of city's top Jazz clubs and venues including Smalls, The Iridium, The Kitano, The Garage, the 55 Bar, and many more as well as regional and international touring. Eric performs a mix of traditional, straight ahead, bebop and modern Jazz, often featuring his original compositions.

As an educator, Eric has been teaching music in the NYC public school system since 2006, having designed and implemented curriculum for both elementary and middle school music where he teaches and directs ensembles. He also teaches guitar techniques privately at his home studio.

In 2011, Eric signed with the Ontario-based record label Pioneer Jazz Collective label (PJC Records) and released his debut album as a leader, Breaking the Ice (2012), as well as a follow-up record, The Second Time Around (2013). Both records have received national and international acclaim. Eric also recorded Soothing Classical Guitar Music: Music For Deep Sleep (Inner Splendor Media, 2016) which spans over 500 years of solo classical guitar repertoire. He has been published in Downbeat Magazine, RAE Magazine, and Play Jazz Guitar. Erid endorses Flite Sound Innovations speaker cabinets in addition to Eastman guitars.

www.ericdivito.com

Erick Cole is a professional musician, artist, and songwriter from Nashville, TN. He has worked across many genres in sessions alongside players including Matt Chamberlain, Tony Levin, and Will Owsley; and with diverse artists including: Adrian Belew (David Bowie, Paul Simon, Nine Inch Nails), Richard Swift, and Kevin Max (dc Talk) with whom a co-write was featured on an ‘Album of the Year’ Grammy award winner.

Instagram/Facebook: @ErickCole

Coming soon: www.ErickCole.com

The Heartless Bastards' story starts in Dayton, Ohio, where Wennerstrom found the name on a multiple choice video trivia game at a bar.

As a songwriting teenager during a time when GBV and Brainiac were packing local bars and three of the Breeders were still in town, Wennerstrom used to sneak into clubs to check out the scene. "I would just see those people—my music heroes—hanging out at the bar like everyone else," she remembers. "I could see myself in them. It gave me inspiration to do my own thing."

After doing the usual business of playing local shows, the trio set out the following year on a regional tour. One of the first gigs of the trip took them to a bar in Akron, where Black Keys' drummer Patrick Carney just happened to be one of only a handful of people in the audience. This chance encounter led Wennerstrom and the Heartless Bastards to Fat Possum Records, with whom they released their debut, Stairs and Elevators, in early 2005.

The band moved on with critical praise in their back pocket, including a four-and-a-half star review from Rolling Stone, which took note that, when Wennerstrom “opens her throat on Stairs and Elevators … she sounds like she’s wailing on the shoulders of giants; her sad and angry vocals channeling all the swagger and spit of a young Robert Plant”

By whatever yardstick you care to measure, it was high time for Erika to get out of Dayton.

In true ascetic discipline, she moved to Austin, Texas in 2007 for a change of inspirational scenery and a new recording project. With the help of producer Mike McCarthy (Spoon, Trail of Dead), she assembled a group of musicians with whom she gave the songs life and uncovered yet another layer of Wennerstrom and the Heartless Bastards. Two of the new Bastards aren’t Texas ringers, but fellow Dayton brethren Dave Colvin on drums, and Jesse Ebaugh on bass, who actually played on the original demo that hooked Fat Possum, throw in one Austin native on guitar, Mark Nathan and you’ve got a new unstoppable force that “Take the stage and literally knock everybody down” – NY Times review of the Bastards SxSW record release performance.

The Decemberists’ guitarist Chris Funk said, "It's been a few years since I've had a voice on repeat in my mind. This voice seems to arrive in my ears while sound checking, often before the shows on a pre-show play list and after shows too -- the songs are just perfect and the band has found their spots behind this incredible woman. A unique and enduring artist arrived into our world once again."

The album, entitled The Mountain, (released February 2009) delivers the powerful howl that fans expect from the Heartless Bastards, but also weaves in adventure with mandolins, banjos, strings and Erika’s transcendent voice.

Website: www.theheartlessbastards.com

              www.erikawennerstrom.com

Ethan Johns is an English record producer, engineer, mixer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Johns has worked with artists including Ryan Adams, Kings of Leon, Paul McCartney, Ray LaMontagne, Tom Jones, Kaiser Chiefs, Rufus Wainwright, The Boxer Rebellion, Crowded House, The Vaccines, Laura Marling, The Staves, and Crosby, Stills and Nash.

Website: www.ethanjohns.com

Well known to local jazz enthusiasts, guitarist and composer Eric Susoeff has been part of the Pittsburgh music scene since his debut with Harold Betters at the Encore in 1976. Offering a warm, bluesy, full-bodied sound, he has played with a long list of local and international luminaries including: Dizzy Gillespie, David Amram, Roger Williams, Airto, Ivan Lins, Romero Lubambo, Charo, Frankie Avalon, Marty Allen, Eric Kloss, Frank Cunimondo, Gene Ludwig, Pete Henderson, Dave & Maureen Budway, Sandy Staley, Kenia, Roger Humphreys, Erin Burkett, Kenny Blake, Walt Harper, Nathan Davis, Don Aliquo, John Wilson and many others. His primary focus continues to be his Latin jazz quintet Salsamba, founded in 1984, which has played to clubs, festivals and colleges throughout the U.S. The group recently released their sixth recording titled "Mojito Blues." Past releases (MAMBO IN BLUE, MAMBO DEL SOL, LATINVENTIONS, THE TRAVELER, BRAZILIA) all received critical acclaim. Additional recording credits include musical artists: Kenia, Don Aliquo Jr., Sandy Staley, Mike Tomaro , Richie Cole, Azucar and about 60 others. His flair for arranging the beautiful music of Antonio Carlos Jobim led to a 2005 CD with Soprano Lilly Abreu and Cuarteto Latinoamericano, an internationally known string quartet. Eric has been seen on stage and TV playing everything from nostalgic rock to show tunes and avant-garde chamber music, with groups as diverse as the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, The Marcels, Carnegie Mellon University Drama Department and Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera. Last year Eric enjoyed a 3 month jazz club residency in Hangzhou China performing with the George Heid III Quartet. Recently Eric appeared with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra performing “The August Wilson Symphony” a world premier piece. Eric last performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony in January of 2003 as part of a Pittsburgh Symphony Pops concert conducted by Marvin Hamlisch.

PC: Arron J