Al Di Meola

Name: Al Laurence Dimeola
Born: 22nd July, 1954 (Jersey City, New Jersey)

Profile: He is an American jazz fusion and Latin jazz guitarist. Having a musical career that has spanned more than 30 years, he continues to be one of the most influential guitarists in the jazz fusion category.

History: In 1971, he enrolled in the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts where he joined Chick Corea's band in 1974 and played with the band until a major lineup shift in 1976.

Di Meola went on to explore a variety of styles, but is most noted for his Latin-influenced jazz fusion works. In the beginning of his career, Di Meola was noted for his technical mastery and extremely fast, complex guitar solos and compositions. But even on his early albums, he had begun to explore Mediterranean cultures and acoustic genres like flamenco.

His early albums were very influential among rock and jazz guitarists alike. Di Meola continued to explore Latin music within the jazz-fusion genre and he even exhibited a more subtle touch on acoustic numbers like "Fantasia Suite for Two Guitars" from the Casino album. In 1980, he also toured with fellow Latin guitarist Carlos Santana.

With Scenario, he explored the electronic side of jazz in a collaboration with Jan Hammer (of Miami Vice theme fame). He began to incorporate guitar/synthesizers on albums such as Soaring Through a Dream. Beginning in the 90's, Di Meola recorded albums closer to World music and modern Latin styles than jazz.

He has continued to tour, playing in smaller venues in Virginia and Las Vegas, Nevada. Recent concerts have included a sampling of his newer material (an engaging mix of acoustic, "distorted acoustic music", and guitar/synthesizer with a looser format than the songs on the early solo albums) along with a selection of electric guitar numbers from the early albums.

Di Meola became arguably the most important pioneer of shred guitar, influencing guitarists such as Yngwie Malmsteen, Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi) and John Petrucci (Dream Theater).

Influences: Unknown

Axology: PRS guitars and acoustic guitars

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeC6J9MKnqo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhccIfevjCU

"In the history of the electric guitar, no one figure has done more to advance the instrument in a purely technical manner than Mr. Di Meola. His total command of the various styles and scales is simply mind-boggling. I feel privileged to have been able to study his work all these years." - Robert Lynch