Don Celenza

Testimonials, Reviews, and Articles.................................................. I've been playing with Donny over 20 years. He's phenomenal. His playing is very soulful. Donny is a little shy, but he lets his fingers do the talking. He's one of the best guitar players I've ever heard."... LITTLE BUSTER, Little Buster and the Soul Brothers ............................................................ ....................................... "I've personally stood toe to toe with Donny on stage many times, and he can really go - I've witnessed his playing and what it comes down to is his groove. Donny's a player." ....JIMMMY VIVINO, guitarist/Late Night with CONAN O'BRIAN..................................................... ................................... "Listen to Donny-that boy plays the blues!"... LIGHTNIN' HOPKINS, legend of the blues ............................................................ .......................................... "I only get a chance to listen to music in my car, and I listened to Donny's tape exclusively for three months, and I really enjoyed it. Donny has a fiery attack and a true inventiveness on guitar." JIM WIEDER,.. guitarist/The Band ------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------- Reviews and Articles ------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------- Review of "It's In Here Somewhere" from Long Island Entertainment News - September 2003 ------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------- The alliance of his music is a phenomenal mix of jazz, R&B, blues, funk and a blend of pure genius. This CD is pure, unique, and implausibly creative with distinct character. Donny towers well above his modesty. He, again is one of the most talented songwriters on Long Island. All of the songs were written and produced by D. Celenza. --T. Jewels ............................................................ ....................................................... "Someone You'll Be Seeing a Lot More of" from 20th Century Guitar magazine ------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------- As fine a guitar player as Clapton, Winter or King (Freddie, Albert, or BB), Don Celenza has been a well-kept secret for some time now. At this year's guitar show, Celenza informed a knowledgeable portion of the listening public of his prowess and virtuosity with the instrument. Don has been a legend in New York for years now, playing with his own band and sitting in with the likes of Al Kooper, Jimmy Vivino, and Lil' Buster. A multi-instrumentalist and prolific songwriter, he can usually be found in his home studio writing and recording original music for jingles and industrials and film underscoring. He has recently completed an all instrumental recording of originals - It's In Here Somewhere - whereon he plays all of the instruments. With an eclectic sampling of styles ranging from Jobim-like bossas to uptown Chicago blues, Celenza's inimitable stamp can be heard both is his distinctive guitar stylings and these original compositions. Don's rhythmic style is reminiscent of Cornell Dupree, often luring the listener into a false sense of security . . . until he solos. A player with extraordinary facility, his improvisations often smolder but more often burn. Celenza plays a '59 Les Paul Custom or a '60 Les Paul Special through a '65 Fender Deluxe amp. Don has been playing with bluesman Lil' Buster for some time now, both as an organist and a guitarist. "I've been playin' with Donnie for over 20 years...he's phenomenal. His playing is very soulful. Donny is a little shy, but he lets his fingers do the talkin'. One of the best I've ever heard." We look forward to having Don Celenza perform at our next show. .................. --by Mark Lotito