Earl Klugh

GRAMMY® Winning guitarist and songwriter Earl Klugh is celebrating his 30 year career; one that includes over 200 compositions in circulation, nearly 30 full-length albums, hosting and directing signature events, work in motion pictures, multi-million album sales and numerous world tours. A pioneer of contemporary jazz and a virtuoso on acoustic guitar, Klugh continues to produce innovative projects both in the studio and on the stage.-----In Earl Klugh’s 2006 GRAMMY Nominated Naked Guitar, listeners are treated to a rare form of unplugged music consisting purely of Earl and his guitar, on a record that feels as though he’s playing right in your living room. Sam Prestianni of Jazziz magazine writes, “The guitarists’ skills are virtuosic…[Klugh]’s obviously a six-string slinger to be reckoned with.” -----On his recent projects Klugh reflects, “It has always been my greatest joy to explore and create my own unique thing. Each time out, I really love to go down unexpected paths.” -----Klugh’s next ‘unexpected path’ led him back to the studio to record THE SPICE OF LIFE, his first full-production album since 1999. “There is a lot of variety in the music…and I am having a blast with it,” he says. -----From electric band to trio tunes, Earl is creating an album unlike any he has ever done; yet his signature blend of melody and improvisation is omnipresent. Legendary string arranger Don Sebesky is orchestrating several tunes on this project, expanding Klugh’s already extensive repertoire of arrangements for symphony orchestra. The album is scheduled for release in the spring of 2008. -----“Eclectic” describes both Klugh’s style of composition and taste in music. Influenced by stylistically diverse artists and songwriters including Chet Atkins, The Beatles, Laurindo Almeda, & George Benson - Klugh has received international acclaim from fans, critics and colleagues. “I incorporate as much as I can from all the different idioms, from classical to blues to jazz,” he says. “I don't want to lay claim; I enjoy and love it all.” ----Audiences around the world would agree, from South America to South Africa, that this perspective is to his advantage. The performer’s versatility onstage allows him to tour with his electric band and Little Big Band, with his trio and quartet, as a soloist, and share the stage with symphony orchestras. ----In addition to performing, Klugh plays host to his annual jazz lifestyle event, Weekend of Jazz at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. He invites world-renowned talent to perform at the legendary venue of the swing era, including Joe Sample, Patti Austin, Michael Franks, Roberta Flack, Arturo Sandoval, KEM and more. But his interest in unique events does not stop there. In 2007, Klugh created an ongoing concert series for his instrument, aptly titled Night of Guitars. The series features a trio of guitarists from various musical backgrounds, including jazz greats Bill Frisell and Russell Malone, who joined Earl for the series in Pittsburgh, as well as Ray Parker Jr. and Peter White, where the trio performed at the 4th annual Weekend of Jazz. ----Klugh’s extensive work as a performer and songwriter has garnered him invitations to record with Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis and Jimmy Buffett to name a few, and his compositions have been recorded and/or sampled by by a host of others, namely Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Roberta Flack and Al Jarreau. Perhaps Klugh’s most noted collaborations are the projects he recorded with legendary pianist Bob James, including their GRAMMY-Winning effort, One On One, and his album with mentor and one-time band mate, George Benson (1987’s Collaboration). ----Even with all the success throughout his 30-year solo career, Klugh doesn’t necessarily believe there is a peak level to playing guitar. “My enjoyment is searching out new things to play every day, and ways to play it,” he says. “There’s so much more I want to do. If there were nothing else to learn and do there’d be no reason to play.” ----He has given us many reasons to believe that the best is always yet to come.www.earlklugh.com