Chris Mello’s Global Village profile picture

Chris Mello’s Global Village

About Me

ABOUT THE ARTIST: &nbsp&nbsp Born in Boston, MA Chris began playing guitar at 12. Growing up in a Portuguese family, he fell in love with the music of artists such as Tom Jobim, Pat Metheny, John Coltrane, and Brazilian composer Ivan Lins. He went on to formally study the guitar at the University of Massachusetts.
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp At an early age he began working in the pit orchestras of the Boston scene, in addition to working with orchestral groups such as the MET Wind Orchestra and the Boston Pops. Musically he was drawn to studying and performing with local jazz gurus such as Mick Goodrick, George Garzone, and Rick Peckham in addition to performing with both Brazilian and Salsa groups.
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Hee completed his Master's degree at the illustrious University of North Texas as a Teaching Fellow in the Jazz Department. While studying he also toured with the 25 year-old Dallas Jazz Orchestra and served as a staff columnist for Just Jazz Guitar Magazine.
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp In 2007 Chris completed his Doctoral Degree in Music within the Studio/Jazz Guitar Department at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. An active performer in the L.A. scene, he has performed/recorded with: Ernie Watts, Norah Jones, Justo Almario, Vanessa Williams, the Dixie Chicks, Cafe Tacuba, Jeff Kashiwa, Paul Schaeffer, Kenny Wheeler, Giovanni Hidalgo, Dan Higgins, Katia Moraes, Bill Cunlife, Bobby Shew, Shelly Berg, and a host of others. Additionally, Chris has recorded for Vh-1, Taco Bell, Verizon Wireless, Latin Grammy Awards, and Disney.
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp His brand new release“THE GLOBAL VILLAGE”delivers a spectacular musical journey that embraces the guitar as the centerpiece within a tapestry of global musical influences from Cuba to Brazil to Africa. The compositions explore fresh new points of the “musical compass” while still delivering an unparalleled level of spontaneity, interaction, and virtuosity that one would expect from a modern jazz recording. "Fusing the infectious rhythms of Latin/South America with the elements of jazz, Mello creates compositions with memorable melodies, lush harmonies, coupled with some truly irresistible grooves. His playing here has redefined and reshaped the role of the guitar beyond the traditional limits of “Latin Jazz”."
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp As a player, Mello’s astoundingly singular artistic sensibilities have rendered him a high profile contributor to numerous recordings. On both Nylon and Electric guitars, his carefully woven melodic ideas, innovative harmonies, and mastery of a multitude of “local guitar dialects” define him as a “unique musical voice” in a sea of modern guitar clones. Adding to this, is Mello's unique knowledge and affinity for Latin string instruments such as Cuban Tres, Cavaquinho, Tiple, Charango, and a host of others. His writing exhibits his passion for vibrant global music cultures flowing over an open tributary of modern jazz. "As a guitarist, his unique musical voice speaks well beyond his years!"
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp"CHRIS MELLO: THE GLOBAL VILLAGE" is available NOW! at:
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My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 15/10/2006
Band Website: www.ChrisMello.com
Band Members: Chris Mello - Guitars
Rene Camacho - Bass
Otmaro Ruiz - Keys
Aaron Serfaty - Drums
Bryan Brock/Richie Garcia - Percussion

Influences: Timbalaye, Ruben Blades, Ivan Lins,
Pat Metheny, Romero Lubambo, Adam Rogers
Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Danilo Perez, Toninho Horta
Dori Caymmi, Elis Regina, Nelson Gonzalez
Eddie Palmeiri, Ramon Stagnaro, Chano Dominguez
Rene Toledo, Vicente Amigo, Pat Martino
Mick Goodrick, Justo Almario, Oscar Hernandez,
Steve Kahn, Helio Delmiro, Ben Monder
Egberto Gismonti, Milton Nascimento, Luciana Souza
Caesar Camargo Mariano, Gerardo Nunez, George Garzone

Record Label: Obrigadu

My Blog

MY ROMANCE

From the Cerritos College Guitar Festival "Latin Guitar Styles" Clinic
Posted by on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:16:00 GMT

My New "Guitar Hero" Blog at LaJazz.com

I've started doing some blogging for the website: www.LaJazz.com.The monthly feature is called "GUITAR HERO" and will feature a variety of stuff concerning all the "goings on" of guitar here in Los A...
Posted by on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 13:56:00 GMT

"Rumba Para Zaza" featured at "www.SINGLE OF THE DAY.com"

Hey all, I'm proud to announce that my compostion "Rumba Para Zaza" will be feature as "Single of the Day" on Thursday June 28th, 2007 at: www.SingleoftheDay.com  -  "Today's song comes fro...
Posted by on Thu, 28 Jun 2007 01:42:00 GMT

New "GLOBAL VILLAGE" CD review at JAZZREVIEW.COM

Review: In his debut album, L.A. guitarist Chris Mello makes use of all his childhood musical influences, from Pat Methany to Brazilian singer Luciana Souza to John Coltrane.  In an amazing comb...
Posted by on Sun, 27 May 2007 01:41:00 GMT

CHRIS MELLO - CD Release:

CHRIS MELLO  "THE GLOBAL VILLAGE" FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE           For more information, contact:www.ChrisMello.net [email protected]   1/20/0...
Posted by on Sun, 27 May 2007 01:39:00 GMT

My New Book: "The Complete Guide to Latin Guitar"...

....Well, its a big relief to have finally finished my Doctoral Degree at USC this past April. It was nice to complete my stay there with a two hour powerpoint lecture/performance on th...
Posted by on Sat, 19 May 2007 19:48:00 GMT

"WEBMENUDO" features CHRIS MELLO for January...

"WEBMENUDO" features Chris Mello for January... www.WEBMENUDO.com is a great website that features Latin Jazz, Salsa, Brazilian, and other related music artists. In addition to a great source f...
Posted by on Sun, 31 Dec 2006 22:28:00 GMT

CD RELEASE PARTY

Chris Mello "The Global Village" CD Release Party   Jan. 31st, 2007 Shows: 8:30 and 10:30pm LA VE LEE Jazz Club 12514 Ventura Blvd. Studio City, CA 91604 818. 980. 8158   Featuring: Chris Me...
Posted by on Fri, 15 Dec 2006 15:29:00 GMT

About the tracks here... (thoughts behind the music):

  More about the Tracks here from the CD: This project was born of a single idea& The Guitar.       What more can one say about this instrument that has played such a pr...
Posted by on Fri, 15 Dec 2006 15:20:00 GMT

Reviews: - L.A. Jazz Scene (Live Show) Review

The band consists of Mello on guitar, Aaron Serfaty on drums, Bryan Brock on percussion, and subbing for Rene Camacho on bass, John Pintoff (who did a great job). The set opened with an original bossa...
Posted by on Fri, 15 Dec 2006 15:15:00 GMT