8
Feb, 2026
15 years of Coral Riff | Looking Back, Booking Forward

15 years of Coral Riff | Looking Back, Booking Forward

15 YEARS OF CORAL RIFF

Looking Back, Booking Forward

This February 2026 Coral Riff turns 15.

It’s a milestone that makes me pause for a moment and look back with gratitude, because between one stage and the next, the most precious things have always been the esteem, trust and affection of the people I’ve met along the way: musicians, promoters, artistic directors, venues and festivals who believed in me, appreciated my work and loved my artists.

I come from a family of lawyers and, after finishing school, it was almost taken for granted that I would follow in my relatives’ footsteps. In reality, though, I’ve never been a “bookworm”, but more of an explorer, and my personality and passions led me elsewhere.

First, military service in the Navy, then a couple of years in Messina trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I was looking for my path, and my path brought me to Rome, where I grew as a man and found the beginning of the journey that has brought me here.

In 2009 came the experience with the venue where I met some of the best jazz musicians on the national and international scene. With some of them I built real relationships, and in February 2011 I started this activity.

The name Coral Riff is a little wordplay: halfway between “Choral Riff” and “Coral Reef”. I’ve always been into music and surfing, and when I first started I even thought I might focus on surf-rock bands. In the end I stayed anchored mainly to jazz and world music, but the name kept that original spark.

From 2011 onward I’ve lived I don’t even know how many lives, between relationships and moving house, across Italy, Spain, Germany and then Italy again, but my work has been one of the very few constants in my life ever since, together with my guitar and, not long after, my love for the waves.

Over the years I’ve had the honor of working with extraordinary artists such as Irio De Paula, Stelvio Cipriani, Stanley Jordan, Frank Gambale, Scott Henderson, Oz Noy, Wayne Krantz, Jeff Berlin, Jeff Lorber, Dennis Chambers, Anton Fig, Jimmy Haslip, George Whitty, the Pastorius brothers, Faso, Christian Meyer, Alessio Menconi and so many, many others. I apologize to anyone who doesn’t see their name here, but otherwise the list would truly be far too long.

Every collaboration has left something behind. Music, relationships and memories that will not “be lost in time… like tears… in rain”, but will remain etched in my memory, in my heart, and in the stories of everyone who was part of them.

A quick note about the photos in the slider: they only go back to 2021. I added them simply to give an idea of the journey. To go further back I would have had to spend a lot more time searching, and I can’t do that right now because I need to work on what’s coming next. I also apologize for the quality of many pictures (my old phone’s camera was especially poor) and for the somewhat random selection, but I tried to put together a visual summary.

In the next few days I’ll send a special newsletter with my proposals for the current year. If you’d like to receive it, subscribe by filling out the form below.

Finally, thank you again to all the artists, promoters, colleagues, collaborators and to everyone I’ve met along the way who, in one role or another, helped me write these chapters and keep moving forward. I’m truly grateful.

Fab

4
Feb, 2026
ALLEN HINDS 4tet ft. JIMMY HASLIP, MICHELE PAPADIA & GERGO BORLAI (USA)

ALLEN HINDS 4tet ft. JIMMY HASLIP, MICHELE PAPADIA & GERGO BORLAI (USA)

Allen Hinds 4tet

ft. Jimmy Haslip, Michele Papadia & Gergo Borlai

Groove Fusion (jazz‑blues‑rock) | USA

AVAILABILITY FOR EUROPE

2026 | August 19th to 30th

Line-up

Allen Hinds | Guitar
Natalie Cole, Roberta Flack, Randy Crawford, James Ingram, Bobby Caldwell, BeBe & CeCe Winans, The Crusaders, Hiroshima, Boney James, Eric Marienthal

Jimmy Haslip | Bass
Allan Holdsworth, Pat Metheny, Bonnie Raitt, Rod Stewart, Donald Fagen, Al Jarreau, Bruce Hornsby, Jeff Lorber, Robben Ford, Bobby McFerrin

Gergő Borlai | Drums
Al Di Meola, Tony MacAlpine, Nathan East, Tom Scott, Vernon Reid, Terry Bozzio, Bob Mintzer, Scott Henderson, Gary Willis, Hadrien Feraud

Michele Papadia | Keys
Ana Popovic, Joe Bonamassa, Noemi, Fabrizio Bosso, Gianluca Petrella, Patty Pravo

Style

A blues-rooted, guitar-led fusion set where hooks matter as much as solos: Allen Hinds’ vocal phrasing rides a pocket built by Jimmy Haslip’s melodic, harmony-aware bass lines and Gergő Borlai’s high-definition drive-tight on the backbeat, fearless when the meters start to bend. Michele Papadia adds Hammond grit and electric-piano shimmer, widening the harmonic canvas as the quartet moves from lean funk vamps to open, melodic jazz-rock studio-clean in tone, live-wire in momentum.

Profile

Allen Hinds Quartet brings groove fusion into a modern, song-forward frame-equal parts blues narrative, jazz harmony, and rock attitude. Hinds’ lyrical phrasing and expressive articulation lead the line, while Jimmy Haslip anchors the band with a producer’s ear and an electric sound that can feel as warm and upright-like as it is punchy. Gergo Borlai adds high-definition fusion vocabulary without losing the jazz feel, turning metric shifts into momentum rather than complexity. Michele Papadia widens the harmonic spectrum with Hammond and keys that can move from velvet pad work to biting, percussive comping an ideal foil for Hinds’ bends and melodic themes. The set stays built on groove: head-nodding backbeats, elastic pocket funk, and slow-burn blues that open into fearless improvisation and tight, conversational interplay.

Details

Allen Hinds A long-time first-call guitarist in contemporary jazz-blues contexts, with credits spanning soul, pop, and jazz crossover sessions. His writing favors melodic song-forms, dynamic builds, and tone-forward storytelling. Highlights include the 2016 release Fly South. (“Imagine a player with the taste of Robben Ford, the fearless melodicism of Jeff Beck and the joyous musicality of Derek Trucks.” — Jason Sidwell, MusicRadar, 2017-05-10)

Jimmy Haslip Cofounding voice of modern fusion bass, known for lyricism, articulation, and harmonic clarity. Equally at home as sideman and producer, shaping ensembles from the inside out. His work is often praised for bringing an upright-like elegance to the electric instrument. (“Haslip is a most lyrical musician, and he brings the elegant tone of an upright bass to his electric model.” — Ian Patterson, All About Jazz, 2011-05-04)

Gergő Borlai A fusion powerhouse with a broad vocabulary—speed, precision, and deep listening in equal measure. Credits include work alongside rock/fusion icons and a strong footprint in modern jazz contexts. His playing turns technical firepower into narrative energy and forward motion. (“Oh, he can shred—boy, can he shred.” — Ilya Stemkovsky, Modern Drummer, 2018-11-30)

Michele Papadia Keyboardist, composer, arranger, and producer with a reputation for high-impact groove playing and rich harmonic color. Active across jazz-fusion and blues-rock circuits, including long-term work in international touring line-ups. His keys parts are valued for shaping the identity of recordings from the earliest demos. (“Michele Papadia, with me for 17 years… sent me keys parts for the first demos of the songs and I kept them all.” — Ana Popovic, American Blues Scene, 2023-05-02)

Biographies

Allen Hinds

Allen Hinds is a guitar storyteller whose career sits at the crossroads of blues grit, jazz harmony, and modern fusion drive. Raised in Auburn, Alabama and drawn early to blues and R&B, he pushed toward jazz and fusion as a teenager and studied at Berklee before relocating to Los Angeles to attend Musicians Institute. In MI’s own profile of his path, that move was made possible by the Larry Carlton Scholarship, and Hinds has remained closely tied to the school as a long-standing faculty member in jazz improvisation and phrasing.

In L.A., Hinds built the kind of résumé that only comes from being consistently called for the right gigs: tracking and touring across soul, pop, and jazz-adjacent sessions with major artists and bandleaders while also cultivating his own catalogue. His playing has been repeatedly described in terms of “taste” and melodic fearlessness vocal-like bends, liquid legato, and a climactic sense of solo architecture that makes improvisation feel like narrative. That dual identity-first-call sideman and leader with a signature voice shows up in how he writes: tight, song-centered forms that can expand into open improvisation without losing their arc.

Hinds’ music has also found a life in broadcast placements, with compositions used across TV and cable programming, reinforcing a key point about his artistry: hooks matter as much as chops. As a leader he frames groove as the engine and melody as the headline blues-rooted themes, jazz-inflected chord movement, and rock-ready dynamics that keep the audience locked in even when the harmony and phrasing get adventurous. The arc of his career is defined less by stylistic pivots than by deepening: the same unmistakable tone applied to increasingly refined writing, increasingly conversational ensembles, and an ever-clearer sense of what makes a guitar line memorable.

Jimmy Haslip

Jimmy Haslip is one of the defining electric bass voices in contemporary jazz-fusion a musician whose career spans virtuosic performance, composition, and a major body of work as a producer. For more than three decades he was a core figure in Yellowjackets; in a 2020 interview he reflected on spending 32 years with the band and then stepping away in 2012 as touring demands collided with a growing production workload and a desire to be closer to family. That long arc helped set the template for modern fusion: a rhythm section that can be both pocket-deep and harmonically agile, supporting strong melodies without sacrificing risk.

Haslip’s role was never limited to “the bass chair.” He shaped sound and direction from the inside, contributing as a writer and as a studio-minded architect of the rhythm section. In interviews he has described making records as a social and musical craft: gathering players, shaping atmosphere, and protecting the song’s identity through the recording process. A JazzTimes conversation captures how seriously he takes that craft, framing production as its own discipline and describing a catalog that runs deep into dozens of albums.

Recognition has followed that breadth. Yellowjackets’ long GRAMMY history is well documented by the Recording Academy, and Haslip’s own credits include multiple GRAMMY wins and a long run of nominations an indicator not just of playing excellence but of sustained relevance across projects and decades. Musically, his signature is lyricism with authority: a full tone, precise articulation, and harmonic intelligence that lets the bass function as both anchor and melodic counter-voice. Even when working at the highest technical level, his lines remain singable always serving the music first, which is exactly why so many artists trust him with the foundation.

Gergő Borlai

Gergő Borlai represents the modern fusion drummer at full bandwidth: explosive technique, deep time, and an ear for arrangement that turns virtuosity into story. Originally from Hungary, he developed early as a professional player in his teens and later expanded into an international career as a session, touring, and recording drummer, as well as a composer and producer. The through-line is not just speed or precision, but the ability to make complex rhythmic information feel like momentum odd meters that breathe, metric shifts that land like downbeats.

Borlai’s discography and live profile connect him to a broad network of high-level fusion and contemporary jazz artists guitar heroes, modern bass innovators, and cross-genre projects where the drummer is expected to carry both precision and personality. Industry bios and festival line-ups regularly cite an unusually high volume of recordings and performances, alongside an awards footprint tied to his work in Hungary and beyond: gold-record acknowledgements, major national prizes, and prominent international visibility.

His career has also been marked by headline milestones in the drumming world. In 2019 he placed third in Modern Drummer’s reader poll for “Best All-Around Drummer,” and in 2021 a legacy manufacturer released a signature snare drum developed with him. A 2025 profile also notes that his 2020 solo album The Missing Song was in consideration for GRAMMY recognition, while his broader public presence has grown through clinics and educator roles that bring his approach to drummers worldwide.

Importantly, those achievements have not pulled him away from the working drummer’s craft; they have amplified it. Borlai’s most consistent calling card is that he makes technical content feel human groove-first, reactive to the band, and always aimed at lifting the music rather than displaying the machinery.

Michele Papadia

Michele Papadia is an Italian keyboardist, composer, arranger, and producer whose career has been built in the engine room of contemporary blues and groove-based music: touring bands, high-pressure sessions, and the day-to-day discipline of making songs work. His musical identity is rooted in Afro-American traditions blues, funk, soul, and jazz filtered through a modern player’s toolkit: Hammond organ authority, electric-piano nuance, clavinet bite, and a producer’s instinct for what a track needs.

Papadia’s profile is strongly tied to long-term collaborations, especially in the international blues-rock circuit where consistency and trust matter. A vivid example comes from Ana Popovic’s own account of making the album Power (2023): Papadia described as working with her for 17 years at that point sent keyboard parts for the earliest demos, and those original parts were kept in the final masters while other elements were recorded around them. It is a telling detail: he is not only a live band member, but a foundational voice in the production chain, shaping arrangement and feel from the earliest stage.

In interviews, Papadia has also described formative “professional rites of passage” that map his path from Italy to the wider touring world: high-level encounters, sessions, and tours that placed him in demanding contexts where taste and reliability matter as much as vocabulary. Those experiences sit behind his practical musical philosophy: the blues is not a museum piece but a living language, strengthened by groove, call-and-response, and the ability to support a singer or guitarist while still adding harmonic depth.

Across his work as a musician and educator, Papadia’s signature is the same: parts that lock the pocket, color the harmony, and make the song feel inevitable—whether on a festival stage or inside the studio, where a great take can become the identity of the record.

Quotes

Hinds

Haslip

Papadia

Borlai

BOOKING REQUEST
3
Oct, 2025
Ari Hoenig Trio | Contemporary Jazz, Neo-bop, Post-bop (USA)

ARI HOENIG TRIO | Contemporary Jazz, Neo-bop, Post-bop (USA)

Ari Hoenig Trio

Contemporary Jazz, Neo-bop, Post-bop (USA)

AVAILABILITY FOR EUROPE
2026 | April, July, October/November
AriHoenigTrio ARI HOENIG TRIO | Contemporary Jazz, Neo-bop, Post-bop (USA)
AriHoenigTrio ARI HOENIG TRIO | Contemporary Jazz, Neo-bop, Post-bop (USA)
AriHoenigTrio
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Line-up

Ari Hoenig | Drums
Jean‑Michel Pilc, Kenny Werner, Pat Martino, Joshua Redman, Wayne Krantz, Richard Bona, Chris Potter, Shirley Scott

Gadi Lehavi | Piano
Ravi Coltrane, Chick Corea, Bobby McFerrin, Ron Carter, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Eddie Gomez

Ben Tiberio | Double Bass
Joel Ross, María Grand, Veronica Swift, Immanuel Wilkins, Shai Maestro, Ben Wendel, Aaron Goldberg

Style

A drummer‑led trio where melody and rhythm are inseparable: Hoenig’s metric imagination sings from the kit.
Lehavi supplies a luminous, Jarrett‑to‑Corea‑tinged lyricism that floats yet speaks with intent.
Tiberio anchors with supple time, modern counter‑lines and a sonorous, singing tone.

Overall profile

Philadelphia‑born drummer/composer Ari Hoenig has long redefined the drum set as a melodic instrument; in this trio he crystallizes that vision with Gadi Lehavi (piano) and Ben Tiberio (double bass). Across Golden Treasures (2022) and Tea for Three (2024) the group frames standards and originals with elastic time, conversational counterpoint and a keen sense of narrative. The language is contemporary jazz—post‑/neo‑bop vocabulary, modal hues and polyrhythmic design—yet the touch remains song‑driven. Hoenig’s lines arc and resolve; Lehavi shades harmony with airy voicings and singing right‑hand rhetoric; Tiberio balances clarity and weight, often guiding form with melodic bass motion. The group’s “band DNA” emphasizes Rhythm/Groove (metric modulation; odd‑meter fluency), Interplay/Roles (leader as melodic voice; chamber‑like listening) and Harmonic Vocabulary (post‑bop with modal‑chromatic color). The result is a trio sound that moves from tight inner clock to widescreen lyricism, built for audiences that prize both sophistication and heart.

Member details

Ari Hoenig — Drums
Melodic drumming, polyrhythms and metric modulations are central to Hoenig’s compositional voice. With this working trio he refines a chamber‑like, dialogue‑first approach documented on Golden Treasures (2022) and Tea for Three (2024). Expect shifting forms, clear song shapes and drum melodies that sing. (“A convergence of three exceptional musical personalities whose creativity, connection and dialogic interplay deserve repeated opportunities.” — Artur Moral, All About Jazz, 2025‑05‑20)

Gadi Lehavi — Piano
Tel‑Aviv–born, New York–based pianist whose lyricism and touch align with the Jarrett/Corea lineage while remaining personal. A close associate of Ravi Coltrane and selected by Chick Corea for JALC’s “Musicians of the Future,” Lehavi brings floating time, luminous voicings and agile, singing lines. (“The lightest‑touch piano trio one can imagine… a case of the caress rather than the assault.” — Sebastian Scotney, LondonJazzNews, 2016‑05‑15)

Ben Tiberio — Double Bass
A modern, song‑aware bassist heard with Joel Ross, Veronica Swift and Immanuel Wilkins, and as a leader on Rare Peace (2021). His sound couples round acoustic presence with articulate counter‑melody; time feels both grounded and elastic. (“The bassist and composer Ben Tiberio delivers an exceptional debut here.” — Take Effect Reviews, 2022‑04‑01)

Discography

  • Golden Treasures — Ari Hoenig Trio (Fresh Sound New Talent, 2022)

  • Tea for Three — Ari Hoenig Trio (Fresh Sound New Talent, 2024)

Quotes

Ari Hoenig

“A convergence of three exceptional musical personalities whose creativity, connection and dialogic interplay deserve repeated opportunities.”  Artur Moral, All About Jazz, 2025‑05‑20 — https://www.allaboutjazz.com/tea-for-three-ari-hoenig-fresh-sound-new-talent

“A big‑band celebration… as thrilling and cool as taking a deep dive in someone else’s pool… focusing a well‑deserved spotlight on Hoenig’s voice.” Ed Enright, DownBeat (Editors’ Picks), 2022‑05‑01 — https://downbeat.com/reviews/editorspicks/2022-05

“The trio… a fluid, unified vibe… all elements leaping together into the fray… while still swinging.” Dusty Groove (album blurb), 2024‑12‑13 https://www.dustygroove.com/item/221596/Ari-Hoenig%3ATea-For-Three

Gadi Lehavi

“The lightest‑touch piano trio one can imagine… the caress rather than the assault.”  Sebastian Scotney, LondonJazzNews, 2016‑05‑15 — https://londonjazznews.com/2016/05/15/round-up-review-second-day-of-inntoene-2016-austria-al-foster-quartet-gadi-lehavi-trio-marcio-faraco-ruthie-foster-bruno-heinen-and-kristian-borring-etc/

“A major rising force on piano… known for revelatory work with Ravi Coltrane.”  Rusty Aceves, SFJAZZ — On The Corner, 2024‑07‑18 — https://www.sfjazz.org/onthecorner/articles/five-things-you-should-know-about-gadi-lehavi/

“Israeli‑born prodigy… invited at thirteen to play with Coltrane at the Village Vanguard and Birdland.” All About Jazz (SFJAZZ review), 2022‑05‑10 — https://www.allaboutjazz.com/ravi-coltrane-at-sfjazz-center-ravi-coltrane

Ben Tiberio

“The bassist and composer Ben Tiberio delivers an exceptional debut here… a diverse and well thought‑out listen.”  Take Effect Reviews, 2022‑04‑01 — https://takeeffectreviews.com/april-2022/2022/4/1/ben-tiberio

“Tiberio plays mostly upright bass… I really love that sound.” Sea of Tranquility, 2021‑12‑27 — https://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?id=23414&op=showcontent

Personnel on Joel Ross’ KingMaker: Immanuel Wilkins (alto sax), Jeremy Corren (piano), Benjamin Tiberio (bass), Jeremy Dutton (drums)… DownBeat (review credits), 2019‑05‑03 — https://downbeat.com/reviews/detail/kingmaker

Reviews

Ari Hoenig: Tea For Three — Album Review / All About Jazz / Artur Moral / 2025‑05‑20 / https://www.allaboutjazz.com/tea-for-three-ari-hoenig-fresh-sound-new-talent

Editors’ Picks May 2022: Ben Markley Big Band with Ari Hoenig — Ari’s Funhouse / DownBeat / Ed Enright / 2022‑05‑01 / https://downbeat.com/reviews/editorspicks/2022-05

Pared‑back jazz drumming from Ari Hoenig and his fine trio / Marlbank / — / 2024‑12‑20 / https://marlbank.net/2024/12/20/pared-back-jazz-drumming-from-ari-hoenig-and-his-fine-trio/

Tea for Three — Album page / Fresh Sound New Talent (Blue Sounds) / — / 2024‑12‑13 / https://www.freshsoundrecords.com/ari-hoenig-albums/57444-tea-for-three-digipack.html

Golden Treasures — Album page / All About Jazz / — / 2022‑01‑06 / https://www.allaboutjazz.com/album/golden-treasures-ari-hoenig

Ari Hoenig: Golden Treasures / Jazz Journal / François van de Linde / 2022‑08‑30 / https://jazzjournal.co.uk/2022/08/30/ari-hoenig-golden-treasures/

ROUND‑UP REVIEW: Inntöne 2016 — Gadi Lehavi Trio / LondonJazzNews / Sebastian Scotney / 2016‑05‑15 / https://londonjazznews.com/2016/05/15/round-up-review-second-day-of-inntoene-2016-austria-al-foster-quartet-gadi-lehavi-trio-marcio-faraco-ruthie-foster-bruno-heinen-and-kristian-borring-etc/

Five Things You Should Know About Gadi Lehavi / SFJAZZ (On The Corner) / Rusty Aceves / 2024‑07‑18 / https://www.sfjazz.org/onthecorner/articles/five-things-you-should-know-about-gadi-lehavi/

Ravi Coltrane at SFJAZZ Center / All About Jazz / — / 2022‑05‑10 / https://www.allaboutjazz.com/ravi-coltrane-at-sfjazz-center-ravi-coltrane

Ben Tiberio — Rare Peace (review) / Take Effect Reviews / — / 2022‑04‑01 / https://takeeffectreviews.com/april-2022/2022/4/1/ben-tiberio

Tiberio, Ben: Rare Peace / Sea of Tranquility / — / 2021‑12‑27 / https://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?id=23414&op=showcontent

Vibraphonist Joel Ross to release debut KingMaker / Blue Note (press) / — / 2019‑03‑29 / https://www.bluenote.com/vibraphonist-joel-ross-to-release-debut-album-kingmaker-out-may-3/

Complete Discography — Ari Hoenig / Official site / — / 2025‑10‑03 (accessed) / https://www.arihoenig.com/complete-discography

12
Jun, 2025
Blackbyrds Groove Collective

BLACKBYRDS GROOVE COLLECTIVE by Blackbyrd McKnight | Funk (USA)

BLACKBYRDS GROOVE COLLECTIVE | P-Funk (USA)

BLACKBYRD McKNIGHT – BOBBY SPARKS
DENNIS CHAMBERS – GARY GRAINGER

AVAILABILITY FOR EUROPE

2026 | JANUARY 16th/26th

BlackByrdGrooveCollectiveTITLE4tetR BLACKBYRDS GROOVE COLLECTIVE by Blackbyrd McKnight | Funk (USA)
BlackByrdGrooveCollectiveTITLE4tetR BLACKBYRDS GROOVE COLLECTIVE by Blackbyrd McKnight | Funk (USA)
BlackByrdGrooveCollectiveTITLE4tetR
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Line‑Up

BlackByrd McKnight | Guitar
Parliament‑Funkadelic, Herbie Hancock, Red Hot Chili Peppers

Dennis Chambers | Drums
Santana, John Scofield, George Clinton, John McLaughlin

Bobby Sparks | Keyboards
Snarky Puppy, Prince, Marcus Miller

Gary Grainger | Bass
John Scofield, Pockets (Earth, Wind & Fire protégé), Acoustic Alchemy, Bill Evans

Overview

BlackByrds Groove Collective is a once‑in‑a‑generation all‑star ensemble uniting four iconic voices from the worlds of funk, jazz‑fusion and high‑octane improvisation. At its core stands legendary guitarist DeWayne “Blackbyrd” McKnight (Parliament‑Funkadelic, Herbie Hancock/Headhunters, Red Hot Chili Peppers), whose cutting‑edge work helped shape the sound of a musical revolution. This new line‑up pairs McKnight with the heavyweight rhythm section of Gary Grainger (John Scofield, Pockets — Earth, Wind & Fire protégé band, Acoustic Alchemy, Bill Evans, Luther Ingram) and Dennis Chambers (Santana, John Scofield, George Clinton/P‑Funk, John McLaughlin), plus the kaleidoscopic keys of Bobby Sparks (Snarky Puppy, Prince, Marcus Miller) — an elite unit designed for maximum pocket, fearless interplay and modern show impact.

This configuration has never shared the stage in this exact combination, and that’s the point: the chemistry is fresh, the language is shared, and the result is a live experience with festival‑level energy and club‑grade intimacy. Expect tight arrangements, deep groove, explosive solos and a set that moves like a well‑oiled film sequence — strong open, dynamic arc, and a closer built for standing ovations.

What Happens On Stage

(Audience Experience)

  • Instant impact: the show opens on an unmistakable groove, hook forward, FOH‑ready sonics from bar one.

  • Pocket first: Grainger and Chambers lock a low‑end foundation that is both muscular and elastic; time feels big, confident and danceable.

  • Call & response: McKnight’s riffcraft and Sparks’s harmonic colors bounce lines and hits back and forth, creating genuine conversation on stage.

  • Dynamics that breathe: half‑time drops, stop‑time breaks, double‑time lifts and unison hits that cue audience response without derailing flow.

  • Signature moments: guitar features over vamp‑based codas, talkbox/lead‑synth eruptions, and a drum‑and‑bass spotlight with precision fireworks.

  • Memorable close: a reprise/medley that leaves an ear‑worm designed for highlight reels and social clips.

Artistic Direction & Sound Design

  • MD direction: McKnight keeps arrangements lean and focused. Themes are concise, solos are purposeful, transitions are musical — no dead air.

  • Keys palette: Sparks blends Rhodes/Clavinet with contemporary synth layers; strategic synth‑bass doubling adds extra weight on select sections.

  • Bass authority: Grainger’s tone is round yet articulate, supporting harmony while carving melodic counterlines and song‑within‑the‑song motifs.

  • Drum engine: Chambers brings micro‑time accuracy and massive dynamic headroom; ghost notes and a granite backbeat make the pocket feel inevitable.

  • FOH notes: tight kick, present bass, midrange clarity for guitar/keys, stereo keys bus L/R; fast changeovers and short line checks.

Repertoire & Set Flow

The set weaves original material from the Collective with modern takes on the Headhunters/P‑Funk canon and select features that spotlight each member. BPMs, keys and textures are sequenced for an arc that works equally well in 60/75/90‑minute formats. The center slot allows for measured improvisation; the final third ramps energy for a festival‑grade finish.

Why It Works (For Promoters & Festivals)

  • Bankable musicianship: four top‑tier players with headline résumés; rock‑solid reliability and world‑class stagecraft.

  • Scalable show: translates from 400–1200‑cap clubs to main festival stages; compact footprint, big sound.

  • Audience value: musically sophisticated yet accessible; instant hooks and physical groove.

  • Marketing narrative: “brand‑new super‑band configuration” + “masters of the pocket” is a storyline that converts across trade and consumer media.

  • Content engine: the show generates high‑impact clips (drops, finales, features) optimized for social and press.

Member Profiles (What They Bring)

Blackbyrd McKnight — Guitar / MD
A living architect of the P‑Funk vocabulary with a rock edge: razor‑sharp riffing, fearless lead voice and a producer’s ear for pacing and dynamics. McKnight aligns the set around groove integrity and the dramatic turnarounds that make a live show memorable.

Bobby Sparks — Keyboards
A colorist and catalyst whose roots in gospel‑jazz and modern fusion translate to Rhodes warmth, Clav bite and synth‑lead attitude. Sparks expands the harmonic field, shapes transitions and delivers the kind of feature moments that audiences talk about.

Gary Grainger — Bass
The anchor and architect of the low end: impeccable intonation, authoritative tone and a DC/Baltimore pocket culture that fuses funk, R&B and jazz. Grainger’s PRS signature lineage and band‑leader sensibility keep the groove deep and the lines musical.

Dennis Chambers — Drums
A once‑in‑a‑lifetime drummer whose backbeat authority, micro‑timing and dynamic control set an elite standard. Chambers drives the ensemble with stadium‑grade punch and studio‑grade precision — the drop‑to‑hit moments become events.

Marketing & Positioning

  • Taglines: Funk authority, jazz freedom, rock energy. · The pocket elite. · Four masters, one groove.

  • Imagery: on‑black or color‑gel portraits with instrument focus; video capture of drops/climaxes; short member‑ID bumpers for socials.

  • Copy block (short): A new super‑band led by P‑Funk legend Blackbyrd McKnight, with Bobby Sparks (keys), Gary Grainger (bass) and Dennis Chambers (drums). BlackByrds Groove Collective blends funk, jazz and rock into a high‑impact live show: deep pocket, fearless interplay and a finale built for standing ovations.

Technical Snapshot (for buyers)

  • Set lengths: 60/75/90 min.

  • Changeover: lean patch, short line check; IEM preferred, click optional for cues.

  • Backline: professional standard; detailed rider on request (bass/amp, drums, keys minimal list).

  • Advance: press kit, photo assets, social IDs and staging plot available upon confirmation.

Availability

European tour window: 16–26 January 2026. (Additional holds on request.)

Press Excerpts

“The Making of ‘God Make Me Funky’ by The Headhunters… became one of the most‑sampled grooves ever, thanks to Herbie Hancock’s funky fusionists.”
— Uncut Magazine, January 2025

“The Seventies were the building blocks for who and what I was to become. Now it’s time to fly on until I become a nebulous mist.”
— Blackbyrd McKnight, Guitar World, November 2024

“Funk master Blackbyrd McKnight, on stage with P‑Funk, gets freaky with the Framus Diablo Pro.”
— Premier Guitar, 2018

“Blackbyrd McKnight is one of the greatest guitar players around.”
— George Clinton, Premier Guitar, 2016

“McKnight’s guitar can become a sarod, synthesizer, melotron, and laser all at once.”
— Funk: The Music, The People, and The Rhythm of The One

“A jammin’ stomp of P‑Funk’s ‘Tear the Roof Off the Sucker’… highlighted by an appearance by Funkadelic/Headhunters guitar great Blackbyrd McKnight.”
— Los Angeles Magazine, 2025

“McKnight played a customized teal Stratocaster, squeezing out a tone so sharp and hot it could cut through steel.”
— RIFF Magazine, 2020

“McKnight launched into a cosmological guitar solo… with tones that shredded away my shortcomings, my insecurities and my sins.”
— The Daily Lobo, 2019

“A jazz‑funk solo affirming that he is indeed a rock god.”
— Eponymous Review, 2019

“One of the most epic guitar jams of all time… McKnight channeled the spirit of Eddie Hazel beautifully.”
— Soundblab, 2018

“Blackbyrd McKnight… a ten‑minute‑plus guitarmageddon… the most ridiculously ignored player in popular music.”
— B24/7, 2017

Blackbyrd Groove Collective — Member Profiles

(Selected Credits)

A compact, promoter‑friendly module for press kits, one‑sheets, and web pages.

DeWayne “Blackbyrd” McKnight — Guitar / Musical Director

A living architect of the P‑Funk vocabulary with a rock edge and deep jazz‑fusion fluency. Razor‑cut riff design, fearless lead voice, and a producer’s ear for pacing and dynamics. As MD, McKnight keeps the show groove‑first, tightly arranged, and built for big payoffs.

Selected credits: Parliament‑Funkadelic · George Clinton & P‑Funk All Stars · Herbie Hancock / The Headhunters · Red Hot Chili Peppers · Bernie Worrell.

Dennis Chambers — Drums

Micro‑timing precision, granite backbeat, and unmatched dynamic headroom. Chambers propels the band with stadium‑grade punch and studio‑grade control; drops turn into events and unison figures stay laser‑tight at any BPM.

Selected credits: Parliament‑Funkadelic (George Clinton) · John Scofield · John McLaughlin · Santana · Mike Stern · Niacin · CAB.

Bobby Sparks — Keyboards

A colorist and catalyst: Rhodes/Clavinet heritage meets modern synth architecture and talkbox/lead‑synth attitude. Sparks expands the harmonic field, sculpts transitions, and delivers the kind of spotlight moments audiences remember.

Selected credits: Snarky Puppy · Prince · Marcus Miller · Kirk Franklin · Lalah Hathaway.

Gary Grainger — Bass

The low‑end anchor and architect: authoritative tone, immaculate intonation, and a DC/Baltimore pocket culture that fuses funk, R&B, and jazz. Natural melodist in counterlines, rock‑solid bandleader instincts, and total reliability on any stage.

Selected credits: John Scofield · Pockets (Earth, Wind & Fire protégé band) · Acoustic Alchemy · Bill Evans (sax) · Luther Ingram · PRS Band · Grainger (Phase I–III).

Notes for Buyers

  • Set formats: 60 / 75 / 90 minutes · compact changeover · FOH‑ready mix guidelines available.

  • Assets: portrait on‑black / color‑gel imagery, short member‑ID bumpers, highlight drops/closers.

  • Advancing: full tech riders and stage plot on request.

27
May, 2025
Bobby Sparks

BOBBY SPARKS II | Fusion Jazz (USA)

BOBBY SPARKS II

AVAILABILITY FOR EUROPE
2025 | NOVEMBER TOUR CANCELLED

2026 | TBA

Bobby1 BOBBY SPARKS II | Fusion Jazz (USA)
Bobby1 BOBBY SPARKS II | Fusion Jazz (USA)
Bobby1
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Bobby Sparks II – Keys, Composer, Producer – US

A master of groove, texture, and genre fusion, Bobby Sparks II is one of the most explosive and versatile keyboardists of his generation. Known for his work with Snarky Puppy, Marcus Miller, Prince, Herbie Hancock, Kirk Franklin, Snoop Dogg, and St. Vincent, Sparks blends jazz, funk, gospel, soul, hip-hop, and cinematic sound design into a powerful and unmistakable musical voice.

His live project brings together a collective of high-caliber musicians, creating an electrifying stage experience. The music is dynamic, unpredictable, and deeply rooted in the traditions of Black American Music, while pushing boundaries with cutting-edge improvisation and production sensibility.

Bobby Sparks II’s performances have been described as orchestral and raw, mixing the lush textures of analog synths and organs with high-impact rhythm sections and searing solos. Whether it’s a small club or a major festival, the energy is magnetic and the musicality is second to none.

Live Line-Up

Bobby Sparks – Keys

Snarky Puppy, Prince, Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller, Snoop Dogg, St. Vincent

Jay Mack – Bass

Erykah Badu, Kirk Franklin, Mononeon

Keith Anderson – Sax

Roy Hargrove, Marcus Miller, Kanye West, Erykah Badu

Cam – Guitar

Nile Rodgers, Musiq Soulchild

DeAnthony McGee – EWI

Snarky Puppy, Kirk Franklin

Adarian Roberts – Drums

Tye Tribbett, Kirk Franklin

Official website: https://bobbysparksmusic.com/

31
Dec, 2023
Electric Lady Tereza Rais

ELECTRIC LADY | Pop/Rock/Funk (CZ)

ELECTRIC LADY
(CZ) Rock

AVAILABILITY FOR EUROPE
2026 | Upon request (EU resident band)
ELECTRICLADY logoleft ELECTRIC LADY | Pop/Rock/Funk (CZ)
ELECTRICLADY logoleft ELECTRIC LADY | Pop/Rock/Funk (CZ)
ELECTRICLADY_logoleft
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Line-up

Tereza Rays | Guitar, voice

Kenney Jones, Paul Bond, Nigel Lowis, Ivan Král, Kirk Covington, Rytmus

Cayman | Bass

Canaima, Lucie “Vigly” Jeníčková, Jan “Nedy” Nedoma, Richard “Rítcha” Karel, Marcel “Marco” Kříž

Robin Evans | Drums

PROSE (UK), Kyle Francis Falc, Neeve Zahra, Twelve24, Blinding Talent

Style

Riff-first rock trio built for the stage: short-fuse energy, big hooks, no filler. Blues-rock grit with arena-ready choruses, Hendrix-era swagger, and modern punch. A locked rhythm engine under a frontwoman who writes, arranges, and drives the narrative.

Profile

Electric Lady are a lean, high-voltage trio fronted by guitarist–vocalist and songwriter Tereza Rays. Their sound sits where blues-rock muscle meets modern hard-rock immediacy: tight, riff-driven verses that open into melodic choruses built to travel. The band’s DNA is all about articulation and impact—crisp guitar attack, a bass line that stays warm and physical, and drums that hit with straight-ahead authority while leaving space for vocal phrasing.

On record and on stage, Electric Lady move like a single unit: the rhythm section locks into a punchy pocket, while the guitar alternates between dirty groove and bright, singing leads. References to classic rock icons are present in the tone and swagger, but the writing keeps the focus on direct storytelling and cathartic release.

Details

Tereza Rays | Guitar, voice Writer-arranger at the center of the project, shaping songs around riff clarity and vocal urgency. A blues-rock foundation with a modern, radio-ready sense of structure and hook placement. Known for an assertive stage presence where lead lines stay melodic even at full distortion. Recent studio and live work connects her to high-profile UK production and legacy-rock circles. “Vocalist and guitarist Tereza Rays is a tour de force… Her vocals soared and dipped with effortless control.” (Sara Harding, MetalTalk, 2025-09-11)

Cayman | Bass A bassist who prioritizes weight and glue: round low-end, steady drive, and quick dynamic shifts. Brings a band-player mindset—supporting riffs, reinforcing choruses, and tightening transitions. Comfortable in power-trio arrangements where every note has to hold the room. A background in rock projects beyond Electric Lady feeds a grounded, performance-forward feel. “Cayman on bass and Robin Evans on drums match Tereza’s energy and power… share the same undeniable love for creating music.” (Mariam Atef, Rock Era Magazine, 2025-07-13)

Robin Evans | Drums A drummer built for forward motion: firm backbeat, confident accents, and clean, driving fills. Keeps the groove anchored while staying responsive to vocal phrasing and guitar pushes. Balances punch with economy—no excess, just momentum and control. Active across multiple UK rock contexts, bringing a seasoned live sensibility to the trio. “Riffs blasted through this venue, while Evans and Cayman locked into the groove.” (Sara Harding, MetalTalk, 2025-09-11)

Discography

Tereza Rays Storm (single/EP, 2013) Electrical (album, 2015) Wicked (EP, 2018) Trilogy (project, 2020–2021): Rebelia, Politica, Influenza (singles) Stand Up (single, 2022) I’m Done (I’ve Had Enough) (single, 2025-06-27) One Way Ticket (single, 2025-07-25) I Must Let You Go (single, 2025-09-12)

Cayman Go Down The Way (Canaima, album, 2011-05-01) Storm (Electric Lady, single/EP, 2013) Electrical (Electric Lady, album, 2015) Wicked (Electric Lady, EP, 2018) Trilogy (Electric Lady, project, 2020–2021) Stand Up (Electric Lady, single, 2022) I’m Done (I’ve Had Enough) (Electric Lady, single, 2025-06-27) One Way Ticket (Electric Lady, single, 2025-07-25) I Must Let You Go (Electric Lady, single, 2025-09-12)

Robin Evans Storm (Electric Lady, single/EP, 2013) Electrical (Electric Lady, album, 2015) Wicked (Electric Lady, EP, 2018) Trilogy (Electric Lady, project, 2020–2021) Stand Up (Electric Lady, single, 2022) I’m Done (I’ve Had Enough) (Electric Lady, single, 2025-06-27) One Way Ticket (Electric Lady, single, 2025-07-25) I Must Let You Go (Electric Lady, single, 2025-09-12)

 

Members Quotes

Tereza Rays

  • “Vocalist and guitarist Tereza Rays is a tour de force.” — Sara Harding, MetalTalk, 2025‑09‑11.
  • “A rousing rock energy dazzles… Tereza Rays’ vocals stir with a dynamic appeal.” — Mike Mineo, Obscure Sound, 2025‑08‑07.
  • “A middle finger in the air… a reminder of why rock and roll will never die.” — Natalie Patrick, EARMILK, 2025‑07‑11.
  • “With ‘I’m Done’, she doesn’t just perform the song—she lives it.” — Music‑News (Underground), 2025‑08‑08.

Robin Evans

  • “…propelled by Robin Evans’ relentless drumming…” — LOCK Magazine, 2025‑07‑07.
  • “Cayman on Bass and Robin Evans on Drums match Tereza’s energy and power.” — Mariam Atef, Rock Era Magazine, 2025‑07‑13.

Cayman

  • “…and Cayman’s grumbling bass lines.” — LOCK Magazine, 2025‑07‑07.
  • “Cayman on Bass… match[es] Tereza’s energy and power.” — Mariam Atef, Rock Era Magazine, 2025‑07‑13.

Reviews & Interviews

• “Electric Lady, Dylan Gers & Bitchin’ Hour — A Tantalising Triple At The Black Heart” • MetalTalk • Sara Harding • 2025‑09‑11

https://www.metaltalk.net/gig-review-electric-lady-dylan-gers-and-bitchin-hour-a-tantalising-triple-at-the-black-heart.php

• “Five Artists You Need to Hear” • Rolling Stone UK • Alex Ford • 2025‑07‑29

https://www.rollingstone.co.uk/culture/five-new-artists-to-watch-52472/

• “Electric Lady return with their explosive new single ‘I’m Done (I’ve Had Enough)’” • LOCK Magazine • Lock Editor • 2025‑07‑07

https://www.lockmag.co.uk/electric-lady-return-with-their-explosive-new-single-im-done-ive-had-enough/

• “Electric Lady Drops Fiery New Single ‘I’m Done (I’ve Had Enough)’” • TotalNtertainment • Jo Forrest • 2025‑07‑07

https://www.totalntertainment.com/music/electric-lady-drops-fiery-new-single-im-done-ive-had-enough/
• “Electric Lady shares a uprising with ‘I’m Done (I’ve Had Enough)’” • EARMILK • Natalie Patrick • 2025‑07‑11

https://earmilk.com/2025/07/11/electric-lady-shares-a-uprising-with-im-done-ive-had-enough/

• “Electric Lady — ‘I’m Done (I’ve Had Enough)’” • Obscure Sound • Mike Mineo • 2025‑08‑07

https://www.obscuresound.com/2025/08/electric-lady-im-done-ive-had-enough/

• “Electric Lady drops fiery new single ‘I’m Done (I’ve Had Enough)’” • Music‑News (Underground) • Staff • 2025‑08‑08

https://www.music-news.com/news/Underground/183584/Electric-Lady-drops-fiery-new-single-I-m-Done-I-ve-Had-Enough

• “Electric Lady Reigniting Fire in the Rock N Roll Scene” • Rock Era Magazine • Mariam Atef • 2025‑07‑13

https://rockeramagazine.com/electric-lady-im-done/

• Event: Electric Lady — The Black Heart, London (hosted by Elles Bailey) • Our Black Heart (venue listing) • 2025‑09‑09

https://www.ourblackheart.com/events/2025/9/9/electric-lady

• Czech Centre Recommends: Electric Lady @ The Black Heart • Czech Centre London • 2025‑08‑12

https://london.czechcentres.cz/en/blog/2025/08/electric-lady

• Artist page / releases • Apple Music • 2025

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/electric-lady/424289152

• Single page: “I’m Done (I’ve Had Enough)” • Apple Music • 2025‑06‑27

https://music.apple.com/gb/song/im-done-ive-had-enough/1816434462

• Single upload: “One Way Ticket” (audio) • YouTube Music • 2025‑07‑25

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4ROksdsClg

• Ibanez Artists: Tereza Rays • Ibanez • profile

https://www.ibanez.com/eu/artists/detail/1662.html

• Electrical (album) — release note • MusicGlue • 2015‑04‑01

https://www.musicglue.com/electric-lady/products/electrical

• Electrical (album) — Bandcamp about • Bandcamp • 2015

https://electric-lady.bandcamp.com/album/electrical

BIO

Tereza Rays (ELECTRIC LADY) is a guitarist and singer who was born in the Czech Republic on February 6, 1987 in the Czech Republic. She is the exclusive author of her compositions, lyricist and music arranger, she participates in the current production with producer Roman Rossi – manager. She recorded her debut album in Texas in 2014. Tereza is currently a corporate player of Ibanez and Blackstar, in the past she represented Fender. She has collaborated with many Czech and foreign artists.

She started playing the guitar thanks to the music of Jimi Hendrix. Tereza was born in Kladno and at the age of 15 she started playing the guitar and singing, her parents didn’t support her music much. However, Tereza went her own way and after the founding of the band Electric Lady she recorded many musical successes not only at home, but also abroad. Even this year, 2022, we announced concerts around the world, not only in the USA, but also in Poland, England, Norway, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Tereza also performed at VIP private events in Russia, at the announcement of music awards “REALNA PREMIE”, etc.

The band was founded in 2013 with the emergence of the single “Storm”, which also reached the European MTV or Russian Music Box, where they even placed 3 clips in monthly rotations. The band plays guitar, bass, drums Tereza flew to New Orleans the same year, where she performs on the streets in small clubs for 3 months, after returning to the Czech Republic she wins the international blues competition Blues Aperitif for young talents. Subsequent years later, as a winner, she performed at Blues Alive in the Czech Republic and Poland. In 2015, she released her debut album “Electrical”, which she went on to record at the invitation of drummer Kirk Covington to the USA in Texas. She completed and released musical material in the Czech Republic and became a corporate player of the world-famous brand Fender.

In 2016, the band went on tour with the Czech popular band Mandrage and performed across Czech Republic and Slovakia. That same year, Tereza collaborated with Ivan Kral on the song “A Part Of My Heart.” That same year, the band performed in front of American bassist NIK WEST and Eric Gales.

In 2020, Electric Lady releases her largest and most expensive musical, Trilogy 2020, under the auspices of the Nemoros Agency and a collaboration with KOBALT, on which Tereza collaborated not only with English producer Nigel Lowis.In 2021, Tereza became a corporate player of the IBANEZ and BLACKSTAR brands, several concerts around the world, participation in the USA at this summit and other events in the USA are planned.

Website: https://en.electriclady.cz/

EPK: https://www.blindingtalent.com/epk/electric-lady

What’s going on: https://www.coralriff.biz/events/

27
Dec, 2023
DANIELE GOTTARDO TRIO - (USA) ROCK - JAZZ NO TEXT

DANIELE GOTTARDO TRIO | Polyphonic Jazz Rock (USA)

DANIELE GOTTARDO TRIO

Polyphonic Jazz Rock (USA)

AVAILABILITY

2026 | MARCH 22nd APRIL 11th

DANIELE GOTTARDO TRIO - (USA) ROCK - JAZZ NO TEXT
DANIELE GOTTARDO TRIO - (USA) ROCK - JAZZ NO TEXT
DANIELE GOTTARDO TRIO - (USA) ROCK - JAZZ NO TEXT
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Line Up

Daniele Gottardo | Guitar

Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert, Guthrie Govan, Greg Howe, Eric Johnson, Zakk Wylde, Nuno Bettencourt, Richie Kotzen, Billy Sheehan

Nicolò Vese | Bass

Daniele Liverani, Federico Vese, Gabriele Bullita, Nico Di Battista, James Senese, Orchestra Sinfonica di Sanremo, Ne Obliviscaris, Caligula’s Horse

Giuseppe Risitano | Drums

Enrico Rava, Paolo Fresu, Stefano Di Battista, Fabrizio Bosso, Tullio De Piscopo, Maria Pia De Vito, Gianluca Petrella, Roberto Gatto, Danilo Rea, Rita Marcotulli

Style

Polyphonic jazz-rock where the electric guitar behaves like a full ensemble voice. Contrapuntal writing, modern harmony, odd-meter architecture and wide-screen dynamics. Virtuosity always serving form and narrative.

Profile

Daniele Gottardo Trio is built around a rare premise: the guitar is treated as orchestration. Gottardo’s writing layers melodic lead lines with inner voices, counterpoint and chamber-like voicings, then locks them into contemporary grooves where rock drive and jazz articulation coexist without compromise. The sound stays clear and composed even at high intensity—less a soloist with accompaniment, more three musicians sharing multiple roles at once.

That polyphonic idea extends to the rhythm section. Bassist Nicolò Vese expands the harmonic field through counterlines, register shifts and chordal color, moving between supportive foundation and melodic engine with a modern prog-fusion touch. Drummer Giuseppe Risitano completes the architecture with a contemporary-jazz approach to time and dynamics: a precise pocket when needed, open texture when the arrangement calls for air, and an instinct for shaping transitions as part of the form.

The band’s signature sits at the intersection of modern fusion and progressive attitude: intricate voicings, tight rhythmic design, and a cinematic sense of arc.

Recognition

Often cited as included by Steve Vai among the world’s “Top 10 Emerging Guitarists”, Daniele Gottardo has also been publicly singled out by Vai as a rare “blue-moon” discovery—and introduced as his “favorite new young guitar player.”

Details

Daniele Gottardo’s catalog is shaped by long-form composition for electric guitar, where orchestration, counterpoint, and modern harmony become structural elements. The writing favors clarity under pressure: layered voices and designed dynamics that keep dense material readable.

“Once in a blue moon… I come across a guitar talent that is truly stimulating to me… Daniele Gottardo is one of those people.” (Steve Vai, Vai.com, 2014-04-25)

Nicolò Vese approaches the bass as a shared-role instrument: opening harmonic space, doubling and counterlining with intent, shifting between foundation and thematic voice without breaking the groove.

Giuseppe Risitano balances precision and air: strong time feel when the architecture needs a spine, and elastic dynamics when the arrangement asks for depth and perspective.

Discography

Albums

INkBlot Label: Daniele Gottardo Release date: 2022-10-31

Giant Nuts (Daniele Gottardo & The Nuts) Label: Self-released Release date: 2016-05-01

Non Temperato Label: Self-released Release date: 2014-03-15

Frenzy of Ecstasy Label: Digital Nations Release date: 2010-03-15

Singles

Now’s the Time Label: Daniele Gottardo Release date: 2025-04-18

Four On Six Label: Daniele Gottardo Release date: 2025-02-07

Liadov – Mazurka in F minor, Op. 57 No. 3 Label: Daniele Gottardo Release date: 2023-10-13

My Favorite Things Label: Daniele Gottardo Release date: 2023-02-24

Ziprexa’s Lake (2022 Remaster) Label: Daniele Gottardo Release date: 2022-12-23

Spirals Label: Daniele Gottardo Release date: 2022-07-29

Bittersweetness Label: Daniele Gottardo Release date: 2022-07-01

Blue Salt Label: Daniele Gottardo Release date: 2022-05-27

The Little Match Girl (Orchestral Version) Label: Daniele Gottardo Release date: 2015-03-01

Quotes

“His technique is stunning… the harmonic/melodic atmospheres he creates have unique qualities.” — Steve Vai, Vai.com post, 2014-04-25 — https://www.vai.com/danielle-gottardo/

“He has an elegant touch, stunning intonation, innovational style, and he honors the melody.” — Steve Vai, statement quoted by Guitar World, 2017-01-26 — https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/steve-vai-reveals-his-favorite-new-guitar-player-video

“It definitely cheers me up when I hear… players who have something unique and distinctive to say.” — Guthrie Govan, interview with Sonic State Amped, 2013-06-21 — https://sonicstate.com/amped/2013/06/21/interview-guthrie-govan-talks-about-the-new-aristocrats-album/

“His tapping game is off the charts.” — Phil Weller, Guitar World (Apex Breed tour news), 2025-12-22 — https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/concerts-gigs-tours/apex-breed-tour-2025

“Italian guitar virtuoso… combines… with mind-blowing modern-rock guitar techniques.” — Oscar Jordan, Vintage Guitar, 2023-01 (issue) — https://www.vintageguitar.com/49501/daniele-gottardo/

Reviews

Steve Vai Reveals His Favorite New Guitar Player — Guitar World — Christopher Scapelliti — 2017-01-26 — https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/steve-vai-reveals-his-favorite-new-guitar-player-video

Meet Daniele Gottardo, Steve Vai’s favorite new young guitar player — Guitar World — Mark McStea — 2023-05-16 — https://www.guitarworld.com/features/danielle-gottardo-inkblot

Messina – “Daniele Gottardo Trio” live al Retronouveau di Messina1 — Radio Medua — 2025-09-15 — https://www.radiomedua.it/news/messina-daniele-gottardo-trio-live-al-retronouveau-di-messina1/

Daniele Gottardo Trio in concerto al Retronouveau — The Messineser — 2025-09-16 — https://themessineser.it/daniele-gottardo-trio-in-concerto-al-retronouveau/

Daniele Gottardo – Frenzy Of Ecstasy — SpazioRock — Fabio Milano — 2011-06-07 — https://www.spaziorock.it/archivio/recensione.php?id=1919

Daniele Gottardo: Non Temperato (2014) album review — Rockbook.hu — (author not listed) — (date not displayed on page) — https://www.rockbook.hu/hirek/daniele-gottardo-non-temperato-2014-album-review

NEW ALBUMS (Album of the Month: Daniele Gottardo – INkBlot, 10/10) — Guitar Techniques (Pocketmags) — JS — (issue month shown: February 2023; exact day not displayed) — https://pocketmags.com/es/guitar-techniques-magazine/february-2023/articles/new-albums

Daniele Gottardo: “I remember thinking Yngwie Malmsteen’s playing was amazing, and I wondered if the scalloped neck was his secret” — Guitar World — Mark McStea — 2023-05-16 — https://www.guitarworld.com/features/danielle-gottardo-inkblot

Daniele Gottardo — Vintage Guitar — Oscar Jordan — (issue month shown: January 2023; exact day not displayed) — https://www.vintageguitar.com/49501/daniele-gottardo/

Daniele Gottardo – Frenzy Of Ecstasy — Metallized.it — (author/date not accessible via current fetch) — https://www.metallized.it/recensione.php?id=3402

Daniele Gottardo – Frenzy Of Ecstasy — Metalwave.it — (author/date not accessible via current fetch) — https://www.metalwave.it/recensione.php?id=3207

 

Website: https://officialdanielegottardo.com/

What’s going on: https://www.coralriff.biz/events/

BOOKING ENQUIRY
7
Dec, 2023
Andy James Tour Dicembre 2023

ANDY JAMES & JON COWHERD 6tet | TOUR ITALIANO DICEMBRE 2023

ANDY JAMES & JON COWHERD 6tet

Standard/Latin Jazz | USA
con ALEX ACUÑA, JEFF BALLARD, CHICO PINHEIRO, CHRISTOPHER THOMAS e JOHN ELLIS

TOUR ITALIANO DICEMBRE 2023

Andy James Tour Dicembre 2023
Tour post preview
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Domenica 10/12 Bergamo @ Druso
Ticket: https://bit.ly/3Nd57LN
Website: http://drusobg.it
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4wefbGdVUFsDNjt66

Mercoledì 13/12 Taranto @ Spazioporto
Ticket: https://bit.ly/3TfenTo
Website: https://stazione37.com/
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/P3jBEeHvBAf25Js97

Giovedì 14/12 Messina @ Retronouveau
Ticket: https://bit.ly/48p4rez
Website: https://www.retronouveau.it/
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/DNqGj1kvKN38wend8

Venerdì 15/12 Napoli @ Auditorium Salvo D’Acquisto
Ticket: https://bit.ly/3Rfnilj
Website: https://www.teatro.it/teatri/salvo-dacquisto-napoli-cartellone
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/g3UHT7Vu3mKk4yiM6

Sabato 16/12 Roma @ Alexanderplatz Jazz Club
Ticket: https://bit.ly/3RuBSqm
Website: https://www.alexanderplatzjazz.com/
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/mM7JDTA8QukKcD548

BAND INFO

Line Up:
Andy James | Voce
Jon Cowherd | Piano
Alex Acuña | Percussioni
Jeff Ballard | Batteria
Chico Pinheiro | Chitarra
John Ellis | Sax
Christopher Thomas | Basso

ANDY JAMES | Voce
(Bill Cunliffe, Ernie Watts, Joe LaBarbera, Jake Langley, John Patitucci, Vinnie Colaiuta, Juan Antonio Suarez, Antonio Canales, Rafael Amargo, Carlos Benavente, Ramon Jimenez, Chris Potter, John Beasley, Nicholas Payton, Terell Stafford)

JON COWHERD | Piano
(Joni Mitchell, Norah Jones, Iggy Pop, John Scofield, Lizz Wright, Brian Blade Fellowship)

ALEX ACUÑA | Percussioni
(Weather Report, Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Ella Fitzgerald, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Chick Corea, Whitney Houston, Plácido Domingo, Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Beck, U2…)

JEFF BALLARD | Batteria
(Kurt Rosenwinkel, Brad Mehldau, Mark Turner, Joshua Redman, Ben Allison, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny)

CHICO PINHEIRO | Chitarra
(Placido Domingo, Brad Mehldau, Dianne Reeves, Bob Mintzer, Herbie Hancock, Brian Blade, Ron Carter, Chris Potter, John Patitucci, Mark Turner, Tom Scott, Joe Lovano, Eddie Gomez, Gary Novak, Lee Ritenour, Cachaíto Lopez, Peter Erskine)

JOHN ELLIS | Sax
(Kendrick Scott Oracle, Edward Simon, Darcy James Argue, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Helen Sung)

CHRISTOPHER THOMAS | Basso
(Brian Blade Fellowship, Terence Blanchard, Norah Jones, Macy Gray, Marianne Faithful, Melody Gardot)

ULTERIORI INFORMAZIONI

https://www.coralriff.biz/andy-james-jon-cowherd-6tet-usa/

18
Nov, 2023
Andy James & Jon Cowherd All Star - 2025-26

ANDY JAMES & JON COWHERD ALL STAR | Standard/Latin Jazz (USA)

ANDY JAMES & JON COWHERD ALL STAR

AVAILABILITY 

2025 | NOVEMBER
2026 | APRIL
AndyJamesJonCowherdAllStar ANDY JAMES & JON COWHERD ALL STAR | Standard/Latin Jazz (USA)
AndyJamesJonCowherdAllStar ANDY JAMES & JON COWHERD ALL STAR | Standard/Latin Jazz (USA)
AndyJamesJonCowherdAllStar
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Line‑up

Andy James | Vocals
Bill Cunliffe, Ernie Watts, Joe LaBarbera, Jake Langley, John Patitucci, Vinnie Colaiuta, Chris Potter, John Beasley, Nicholas Payton, Terell Stafford

Jon Cowherd | Piano
Brian Blade, Joni Mitchell, Norah Jones, Cassandra Wilson, Iggy Pop, Lizz Wright, Bill Frisell, John Patitucci, Chris Potter, Kurt Rosenwinkel, James Taylor

Rick Margitza | Saxophone
Miles Davis, McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, Tony Williams, Bobby Hutcherson, Maria Schneider, Eliane Elias, Steps Ahead, Maynard Ferguson, Flora Purim & Airto Moreira, Eddie Gómez

Juan Antonio Suárez “Canito” | Flamenco Guitar
Sara Baras, Niña Pastori, Miguel Poveda, Gerardo Núñez, Diana Navarro, Rocío Márquez, Joaquín Grilo, Rocío Molina, Manuela Carrasco, Andrés Marín

Dominique Di Piazza | Bass
John McLaughlin, Trilok Gurtu, Biréli Lagrène, Michel Petrucciani, Gil Evans, Didier Lockwood

Alex Acuña | Percussion & Drums
Weather Report, Wayne Shorter, Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Ella Fitzgerald, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, U2, Carlos Santana, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea

Style

A cinematic jazz voice steeped in flamenco phrasing meets a lyric, modern piano trio, with tenor fire, singing electric bass, and Afro‑Peruvian/Latin drum colors.
Rhythmic architecture draws on bulería/tangos and post‑bop swing, opening space for elastic ballads, Iberian laments and New‑York‑tight grooves.
Collective storytelling favours counter‑melodies and interlocking ostinati; the band’s DNA privileges timbre and groove to frame harmony with luminous clarity.

Overall profile

Led by vocalist Andy James, this all‑star unit radiates a refined “flamenco‑jazz” aesthetic where articulation and narrative take center stage. James’ warm, burnished timbre and long‑line phrasing sit over Jon Cowherd’s lyrical voicings and a rhythm team that morphs seamlessly from modern swing to Iberian pulses. Rick Margitza adds tensile, glowing tenor lines; Dominique Di Piazza’s singing, chordal bass unlocks counterpoint and pedal‑tone drama; and Alex Acuña sculpts polyrhythms with hand percussion and drumset, dovetailing with the filigree and rasgueado of Juan Antonio Suárez “Canito.”
On our stylistic axes, the leader’s vector (w=0.5) emphasizes Timbre/Articulation and Interplay, while the remaining weights (w≈0.1 each) contribute strong Ritmic/Groove dominance (+0.1 toward Acuña/Canito), a contemporary harmonic vocabulary and idiomatic fluency across post‑bop, Latin and flamenco forms. The result is an elegant, song‑forward sound where dance‑born cadence meets chamber‑like detail—equally at ease with luminous ballads, metric modulations and buoyant vamps.

Member details

Andy James | Vocals
Timbre of satin warmth and theatrical poise; phrasing shaped by flamenco breathing and jazz rubato. Repertoire blends standards and originals with cinematic orchestrations. Interplay foregrounds dialogue with piano and tenor, with Latin/Peruvian percussion shading.
“James’ smoky, enrapturing voice is a direct conduit for the emotion of a song.” (The Urban Music Scene, 2024-04-25)

Jon Cowherd | Piano
A lyric modernist whose voicings and counter‑lines anchor the ensemble’s harmonic clarity. Alternates Rhodes/piano textures; excels at songcraft, ostinati and spacious comping that invites narrative vocals and sax interplay.
“A fantastic trio… powerful chemistry and technical wizardry.” (Filipe Freitas, JazzTrail, 2022-08-23)

Rick Margitza | Saxophone
Clear‑toned, emotive tenor with post‑bop vocabulary and long‑form melodic arcs. His lines bring glow and tensile lift over flamenco cadences, pivoting from burnished ballads to incisive vamps.
“Deeply emotive… featuring superb, clear‑toned playing.” (Jim Hynes, Making A Scene, 2021-02-03)

Juan Antonio Suárez “Canito” | Flamenco Guitar
Rasgueado finesse, hybrid compás and lyrical falsetas; bridges baile energy with modern jazz form. His touch supplies filigree, propulsion and Andalusian color within song‑first arrangements.
“Lo mejor de Canito es que su toque no se parece a ningún otro.” (Sara Arguijo, deflamenco.com, 2020-10-25)

Dominique Di Piazza | Bass
Signature “floating” right‑hand technique enabling harp‑like chords and singing melody; acts as second guitar/piano, enriching harmony and counterpoint while driving groove with elegant articulation.
“A complex right‑hand technique that has revolutionised the electric bass.” (Bass Guitar Magazine, 2009-11)

Alex Acuña | Percussion & Drums
Orchestral percussionist and jazz drummer in one body; Afro‑Peruvian roots, film‑session precision, Weather Report attack. Crafts polyrhythms that breathe with the voice and guitar.
“Alex brings humanity to the rhythm… he brings the spirit of the music.” (Brian Bromberg in DownBeat, 2022-12-27)

Latest release

Let Me See Your Heart (Le Coq Records, 2024)

Released digitally on 2024-06-07 and on CD on 2024-07-05, Let Me See Your Heart frames Andy James’ voice with an all‑star cast (John Patitucci, Alex Acuña, Jon Cowherd, John Beasley, Ronnie Foster, Terell Stafford, John Ellis, Joel Frahm, Chico Pinheiro, Steve Cardenas, Larry Koonse, Paul Jackson Jr., James Genus, Eric Wheeler; drums: Nate Smith, Clarence Penn, Rudy Royston, Johnathan Blake) with arrangements by Cowherd and Bill Cunliffe. Repertoire spans Brubeck/Desmond’s “Take Five,” Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind,” standards by Rodgers & Hammerstein and Michel Legrand, plus three originals. Early coverage in mid‑2024 underscored the album’s open, vulnerable stance and the communicative warmth of James’ delivery.

Citations

(full URLs below each quote; authors/outlets/dates included)

Andy James
“James’ smoky, enrapturing voice is a direct conduit for the emotion of a song.” — The Urban Music Scene, 2024-04-25.
https://news.theurbanmusicscene.com/2024/04/andy-james-to-release-new-album-let-me-see-your-heart/
“One of the classiest readers of standards…” — Jazz Weekly, 2024-07-22.
https://jazzweekly.com/2024/07/andy-james-let-me-see-your-heart/
“Andy James chatted about her new album ‘Let Me See Your Heart.’” — Digital Journal, 2024-08-21.
https://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/andy-james-talks-about-her-new-album-let-me-see-your-heart/article
“Let Me See Your Heart … on her most open and vulnerable recording to date.” — DL Media Music / Le Coq Records (press release), 2024-06-07.
https://dlmediamusic.com/artists/andy-james/andy-james-let-me-see-your-heart/

Jon Cowherd
“…powerful chemistry and technical wizardry.” — JazzTrail, 2022-08-23.
https://jazztrail.net/blog/jon-cowherd-trio-pride-and-joy-album-review

Rick Margitza
“Deeply emotive… featuring superb, clear‑toned playing.” — Making A Scene!, 2021-02-03.
https://www.makingascene.org/rick-margitza-sacred-hearts/

Juan Antonio Suárez “Canito”
“Lo mejor de Canito es que su toque no se parece a ningún otro.” — deflamenco.com, 2020-10-25.
https://www.deflamenco.com/revista/criticas/canito-la-guitarra-de-las-notas-suspendidas-1.html

Dominique Di Piazza
“A complex right‑hand technique that has revolutionised the electric bass.” — Bass Guitar Magazine, 2009-11.
https://www.bassguitar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/0909-DiPiazza.pdf

Alex Acuña
“Alex brings humanity to the rhythm… the spirit of the music.” — DownBeat, 2022-12-27.
https://downbeat.com/news/detail/alex-acuna-offers-his-gift

Reviews

(Original title — Outlet — Author — Date — URL)

 
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