John Stowell/Gianfranco Continenza Jazz Guitar Duo

John Stowell began his successful career in the early 1970’s with private study with guitarist Linc Chamberland and pianist John Mehegan. Both men were valuable mentors to John, allowing him to play with them as he progressed in his development. Several years later he met bassist David Friesen in New York City, and they formed a duo that recorded and toured prolifically for seven years, with performances in the United States,Canada, Europe and Australia. The duo continues to perform thirty years after their first meeting.
In 1983, John and David joined flutist Paul Horn and Paul’s son Robin Horn (on drums) for a historic tour of the Soviet Union. This was the first time in forty years that an American jazz group had been invited to play public performances in Russia. In 1993, 1995, and 1998 John returned to Russia, playing in numerous cities. His two sold-out performances in Kursk may have been the first appearances there by an American jazz musician.
John continues to tour, record and teach internationally. He has been Artist-In-Residence at schools in Germany, Indonesia, Argentina, and in the United States and Canada. He served as assistant director and performer in Oregon Public Broadcasting’s PDX Jazz Summit in 1991, and since 1995 has been a contributing columnist for a number of magazines, including “Downbeat”, “Guitar Player”, Canadian Musician”, “Soundcheck” (Germany), and “Guitar Club” (Italy).
With bassist David Friesen, featured of the soundtracks of two Academy Award Nominated short films (Will Vinton Studios, Portland, OR, and Bosustow Studios, Los Angeles, CA) “Through the Listening Glass” with David Friesen chosen of the “Ten Best Jazz Albums of the Decade” by the Los Angeles Examiner Chosen “Talent Deserving Wider Recognition” by Downbeat’s International Critic’s Poll, 1978 and 1979 Featured in Japan’s “Swing Journal” , “The Jazz Guitar” (Ashely Mark Publishing, England), and the Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz (Leonard Feather and Ira Gitler).
Appearances on BET Jazz Discovery and Guitar Series television showsRecording/Performance Credits: Milt Jackson, Lionel Hampton, Art Farmer, Conte Condoli, Herb Ellis, Bill Watrous, Mundell Lowe, George Cables, Billy Higgins, Billy Hart, Richie Cole, Paul Horn, Tom Harrrell, Don Thompson, Dave Liebman, and many others.
Gianfranco Continenza, guitarist and composer is born in Turin (Italy) on the 1st of february 1968, he started to play guitar when he was 8 years old thanks to his father Nino Continenza, jazz guitar player. He studied classical music for 5 years, then developping the study of the modern guitar (jazz, fusion, blues, rock...) and playing with local bands.

He is graduated with 100% score at G.I.T. (Guitar Institute of Technology) in Hollywood, California in september 1992 specialized in many music styles (jazz, fusion, blues, R&B, latin, funky, rock) studing with Joe Diorio, Don Mock, Scott Henderson, Ron Eschéte, Howard Roberts, Peter Sprague, Gary Willis, Jennifer Batten, Steve Trovato, Jeff Berlin, Jamie Findlay, Jeff Richman, Tommy Tedesco, Mike Miller, ecc.

On 1994 he founded the P.M.I. (Professional Musicians Institute) and later on 1998 the C.M.A. (Contemporary Music Academy www.cma-school.com) in Pescara, with students coming from all the parts of Italy where hes teaching jazz guitar. He played with many world famous artists like Bill Evans, Joe Diorio, Mark Egan, Jeff Richman, Scott Kinsey, Jamie Findlay, Barrett Tagliarino, Richard Smith, John Stowell, Cathy Segal-Garcia, ecc.
On april 2000 he recorded a bootleg CD "Live at Kabala Jazz Club" with Pippo Matino on bass and Ernesttico on percussions.
Soon will be released his new Cd "The past inside the present" feat. Bill Evans and Scott Kinsey (Tribal Tech) with his compositions of jazz/fusion for ESC Records one of the label leader of jazz/fusion in the world. Also with ESC Records he recorded a track for the double Cd "MAHAVISHNU RE-defined” (tribute to Mahavishnu Orchestra) with Mark Egan on bass, Alessandro Centofanti on keyboards e Walter Martino on drums.
From june 2007 is endorser Jacoland with the guitar Heaven Jazz "Gianfranco Continenza Signature" guitar.
He's got a column of jazz guitar on the national site: jazzitalia.net
Booking and Management El Cobra Promotion & Venus Management
via B.Zaccagnini, 21 48018 Faenza (RA) - Italy

www.elcobravenus.com E-mail: [email protected] cell.
393/7724710

Here some quotes about my Cd "The past inside the present"feat. Bill Evans and Scott Kinsey (Tribal Tech).
"I was very impressed by Gianfranco’s playing and I was very impressed by his compositions too, it’s a really wonderful music, great playing. Continenza is a very talented musician and original too. Very strong quality music, great improvisation. He improved so much since last time we played together and he was playing good even then. I liked very much the musicians of the CD too. Great musicians. Even if I come from a different generation of sound I really apprecciated the way Gianfranco used the guitar effects, it’s a great guitar sound. I have to say: it’s a really great CD.” Joe Diorio
"As a huge fan of contemporary jazz-fusion, I was pleasantly surprised when I put on the CD “The Past Inside the Present” by Gianfranco Continenza. Frankly I was amazed that players in Italy were playing that style of music at such a high level. The compositions were very interesting and Gianfranco’s guitar playing was full of energy, exploration and sheer chops. He has come a long was since our days together at GIT in Hollywood where he studied music in the early ‘90’s. And Gianfranco’s choices of musicians to accompany him on this recording effort are first-rate players including jazz sax virtuoso Bill Evans. This would be a fun band to see play live. But listening to the CD in my car here in rainy Seattle will do just fine."

Don Mock

"It was a pleasure working on the CD with Gianfranco"

Bill Evans

"This is a great recording! A Slammin' fusion affair played by great contemporary musicians."

Mark Egan

"Gianfranco has assembled a group of "A" list world class musicians that perform his original music with finesse and ease. Continenza's music is sharply played and is reminiscent of Mike Stern and Scott Henderson. The compositions are well crafted and are harmonically, rhythmically and melodically superb. Gianfranco seems to be able to move seamlessly from soulful gut wrenching playing to soaring technically astounding passages.”

Steve Trovato

"The music on this recording is a complex fusion of progessive and funky elements played by virtuoso musicians at the top of their game. Gianfranco's writing is strong and full of harmonic surprises. A very rewarding combination......"

Carl Verheyen

"Gianfranco was a bright light of energy when I first met him, and a sponge to everything there was to learn about music. In the many years since, he's managed to get deep inside of himself with a rare dedication to pull out an original, invigorating, and intriguing voice, which just happens to come through the guitar. With his first solo CD "The past inside the present" he's painted a delightful high level musical experience and surrounded himself with superb musicians of a like mind.”

Jennifer Batten

"I found Gianfranco’s music well worked in the compositions; I mean it is not only standards played straght- ahead... the CD sounds good... the repertoire is varied... there are some beautiful lyrical ballad mixed with powerful tunes, a wonderful collaboration of Bill Evans...”

Dominique Di Piazza

"Gianfranco Continenza has recorded a varied and interesting collection of songs with a great band. The music is adventurous and compelling. I truly enjoyed listening to the cd, and look foward to listening some more. This is contemporary jazz music on a very high level.”

Bob Mintzer

"I enjoyed this music very much, beautifull music and wonderfull playing!!!"

Jeff Richman

"Gianfranco’s music is wonderful. The musicians are great and the recording sounds great.”

Mitchel Forman

"Gianfranco Continenza has crafted an all-original gem of contemporary playing and composing here. It is refreshing to hear so much original creativity, great improvisation and ensemble work in one place. Continenza's new disc it is a fresh new contibution to the lexicon of modern fusion jazz.”

Richard Smith

"Gianfranco’s CD The Past Inside the Present is a wonderful mixture of cool, twisting melodic lines, heart, energy, drive and monster playing!"

Michael Manring

"Uncompromised writing and passionate performances... very well done!!!

Otmaro Ruiz

"It was a refreshing to hear this ensemble. There is just not enough music of this level being heard these days comming from all the musician's on this CD. I was very impressed with the high level of musicianship and the very original compositions. There are no weak links in this unparalleled package."

Phil Upchurch

"Gianfranco has amazing chops and is a wonderful composer as well..His new CD is a Killer"

Vic Juris

"Gianfranco Continenza has produced a really solid fusion CD; the solos, writing and production are all first class, and there is plenty of variety here. Gianfranco is an exciting guitarist well on the way to finding his own voice as a player and composer and I look forward to following him in his career."

John Stowell

"How it sounds like great stuff from the past but it has the special now qualities of the present, and there's a common thread through all the compositions. Gianfranco doesn't keep the spotlight for himself, but shares it liberally throughout the entire project, not only with his bandmates, but with the mighty presence of Bill Evans on Sax and Scott Kinsey on keyboards. It's first rate new, progressive jazz fused with your fondest memories from the past, all pointed towards a bright future!”

Jamie Findlay

"A fine CD by a wonderful musician"

Jimmy Bruno

"Gianfranco's new CD is a great representation of what's happening on the cutting edge of fusion music today. There is some inspired playing here.”

Dean Brown

"Lot's of presence!"

Billy Cobham

Per contatti e informazioni:
Gianfranco Continenza
(c/o Contemporary Music Academy)
Via dei Sabini, 79 - 65127 Pescara
Tel. 085/68151
Cell. 339/2766366
Skype: gianfrancoes347