High Action

She’s one of Los Angeles’s most sought-after musicians, recording and touring with artists such as Jason Mraz, Black Eyed Peas, Donna Missal, and Morgxn, at venues such as the Hollywood Bowl, Royal Albert Hall, Coachella, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and Walt Disney Concert Hall. In her feature in the renowned magazine, Guitar, Michael James Adam notes, “she slings the guitar like a wordsmith, wry and sarcastic with a playful slant and flows from hushed whisper to bursts of elation with aplomb”. Miller is featured on Jason Mraz’s 2018 album Know and his forthcoming record, out in Summer 2020. She is in the house-band on The Bachelor’s newest ABC primetime show, Listen To Your Heart. Soon after earning her Doctorate in Musical Arts from the University of Southern California in 2016, she became the chair of the Guitar Department at Los Angeles College of Music, a position she still holds. When Miller’s not on tour, running a guitar department, or in the studio, she heads her own trio, Molly Miller Trio, showcased on NPR’s Fresh Air. The second album by Molly Miller Trio is slated for release later in 2020.

GRAMMY nominated musician Dr. Martin Taylor, MBE, is a virtuoso guitarist, composer, educator and musical innovator whom Acoustic Guitar magazine calls  ‘THE Acoustic Guitarist of his Generation’. 

Widely considered to be the world’s foremost exponent of solo jazz and fingerstyle guitar playing, Martin possesses an inimitable style that has earned him global acclaim from fellow musicians, fans and critics alike. He dazzles audiences with a signature style that artfully combines his virtuosity, emotion and humor with a strong, engaging stage presence. 

Taylor has enjoyed a remarkable musical career spanning across five decades, with more than 100 recordings to his credit. Completely self-taught beginning at the early age of 4, he has invented and developed a unique way of playing the guitar that is greatly admired, and often emulated, by guitarists all over the world. 

In addition to his solo concerts and recordings, he has also collaborated with musicians from many different musical genres, including: Jeff Beck, Tommy Emmanuel, Bill Wyman, Chet Atkins, Stephane Grappelli, David Grisman, George Harrison, Jamie Cullum, Bryn Terfel, Dianne Schuur and Gary Burton.

Taylor brings a rich and varied musical heritage to his play, to the extent that Tommy Emmanuel remarked that [Taylor] is “a portal into all that came before.” 

Over his stellar career, Taylor has amassed a record 14 British Jazz Awards as a guitarist. Several of his albums have been in the Top 10 in the USA and Europe.

History

From 1979 to 1990, he toured the world and recorded over 20 albums with the French jazz violin legend STEPHANE GRAPPELLI. Their album with Vassar Clements “Together At Last” won a Grammy Nomination in 1987. Monsieur Grappelli described him as “A great artist, rich in talent and elegance.”

His ground breaking solo album ARTISTRY, produced by Steve Howe, was released in 1992 to much critical acclaim. It was #1 in the HMV Jazz Charts for a record 12 weeks and launched his career as an international solo artist. 

After two very successful albums for Sony/Columbia, KISS AND TELL and NITELIFE, he went on to record several albums for The Guitar Label.

In 1999, Taylor was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of The West of Scotland, and in 2002, he was appointed MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) “For Services To Jazz Music” on The Queen’s Birthday Honours List, which he received personally from Her Majesty The Queen at an investiture at Buckingham Palace. 

His autobiography “Martin Taylor- Autobiography of a Travelling Musician” was released in 2005.

In 2007, Taylor received the prestigious BBC Radio 2 “Heart of Jazz” Award in recognition of his career in music and was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the North Wales Jazz Guitar Festival for his “Contribution to Jazz Guitar Worldwide”.

2010 was a landmark year for Martin Taylor. The year started with the prestigious Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama presenting him with his second honorary doctorate. In April 2010, the Martin Taylor Guitar Academy was launched, an online guitar school that propelled Taylor into becoming one of the world's most recognized and beloved online guitar teachers. This innovative online learning program has been featured on NPR, BBC, Fox News and in the Los Angeles Times and today has students in over 60 countries.

Another milestone was reached in 2010 with the world premier of an exciting new work for guitar, orchestra and big band with the creation of Martin Taylor's 'Spirit of Django Suite'. Based on themes by Martin Taylor and arranged by Guy Barker, the debut featured Martin Taylor, his group Spirit of Django, the Guy Barker Big Band, and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

Later that year, Taylor was invited to perform a special private concert at Windsor Castle for Prince William on the eve of his engagement to Kate Middleton. 

2011 featured extensive touring of the Far East, USA, Europe and UK as Martin's new online profile introduced his music to younger and more international audiences. Taylor also launched the first two models in his own guitar range with Korea-based guitar manufacturer Peerless. The 'Maestro' and 'Virtuoso' have gone on to achieve both critical and commercial success globally.

With the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics in 2012, the BBC made a special performance of the 'Spirit of Django Suite' by Martin Taylor and the Britten Symphonia part of their Proms concerts at London's Royal Albert Hall. Later that year, Taylor joined the International Guitar Night for a three-month tour of the US and Canada.

In 2013, Martin played over 120 shows, as well as finding time to release a new duo album with Tommy Emmanuel and guest on a second album with British actor and blues musician Hugh Lawrie. At the year’s end, Taylor received the BrandLaureate International Brand Personality Award in Asia. Previous recipients have included Steve Jobs, Hillary Clinton, Nelson Mandela and Mark Zuckerberg. 2014 sees Taylor undertaking extensive touring, both solo and with his new group, The Great Guitars.   Film/TV Credits

His film credits include the French comedy “Milou En Mai” directed by Louis Malle, and more recently his composition, “Green Lady” is featured in the Andrew Piddington movie “The Killing of John Lennon”. 

His many TV credits include the theme music for “After You’ve Gone” featuring Nicholas Lyndhurst and Celia Imrie, and the cult “Nicole-Papa” TV commercials for the Renault Clio.

When not touring, Martin Taylor divides his time between Scotland and California, where the Martin Taylor Guitar Academy is based.

As a young musician in Tel Aviv, Yotam Silberstein was quickly recognized as a prodigy and was invited to perform with many of the nation’s top musicians. At 21, he performed at Italy’s renowned Umbria Jazz Festival, released a critically acclaimed debut album and set out on an extensive tour of Europe.

Upon receiving a scholarship to the prestigious New School, Yotam Silberstein moved to New York in 2005. He was a finalist in the  Thelonious MonkInternational Jazz Guitar Competition in 2005 with one critic noting: “Yotam’s tones are exquisitely old school but his playing fresh, fiery and bursting with joyful exuberance, and musically he is one heavy cat.” Jazz Times noted that Yotam has “made an impact on the scene with his precision bebop lines and fleet fingered improvisation”. All About Jazz saw a resemblance between his 2009 release, “Next Page” and “the heyday of Blue Note Records”, adding that Yotam is “forging his own path with skills and style.”

As artistically gifted as he is technically proficient, Silberstein is featured on a wide variety of critically acclaimed releases including “Resonance” and “Brasil” on the Jazz Legacy Productions label, John Patitucci‘s new trio album “Irmaos De Fe” and Monty Alexander’s Grammy-nominated “Harlem-Kingston Express Live!” among countless others.

Yotam has earned his place among the jazz elite by collaborating with such luminaries as James Moody, The Heath Brothers, Roy Hargrove, George Coleman, David Sanborn, Marcus Miller, Paquito D’rivera, Christian McBride, John Patitucci, and many others.

This versatile guitarist’s wheelhouse runs the sonic spectrum, including Brazilian, world music, blues and bebop. Silberstein’s showmanship wowed the Kennedy Center’s 2011 production, “Ella!” which featured Dee Dee Bridgewater, Al Jarreau, Dr. Billy Taylor and Janis Siegel. His performance earned him a return invitation for a special appearance at the KC Jazz Club. In Addition Yotam has applied his talent to composing music for film and in 2015 he received the  Sundance Time Warner award for film scoring.

Yotam Silberstein has toured as a leader in major clubs and jazz festivals in Europe, Japan, South America, Asia and the US and has received high praise for his performances. Having performed with the world’s premier talent, Yotam has honed his craft with precision, finesse and the innate artistic touch. Both the critics and his fans await the release of his new album “The Village” on Jazz & People in January . DownBeat magazine calls this “his most fully realized recording to date,” and says that Yotam “burns brightly alongside colleagues Goldberg, Rogers and Hutchinson.” 

Musician, Composer, Author, Editor, Journalist, Engineer, Producer, Music Technology Expert — Mitch Gallagher is known by a diverse array of titles, all based on his lifelong love for all things musical. 

Some know Mitch best for the more than 1,500 videos he has hosted and countless articles he has written for music gear retail giant, Sweetwater. Others have read his books, including the best-selling Guitar Tone: Pursuing the Ultimate Guitar Sound, and more than 1,000 published magazine articles. Still others know him as the former Editor-in-Chief of EQ magazine and Senior Technical Editor of Keyboard magazine. Many have attended his guitar tone and music technology clinics and workshops around the world. Now Mitch Gallagher has returned to his roots as a master guitarist and composer with the release of his new EP, FOUNDATION!

Beth Marlis is a music industry veteran and performer, her many accomplishments include performances at venues and festivals across the US, Canada, Japan and France. 

She is also a respected educator, clinician, interviewer, panelist, panel moderator and author of two best-selling guitar instructional books.

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In her spare time, she can be found on the boards of many music non-profits and community organizations, while serving as a Vice President and senior guitar faculty member at Musicians Institute, Hollywood and Executive Director of The Musicians Foundation.

Whether you’ve heard guitarist Dave Stryker leading his own group (with 30 CD’s as a leader to date),  or as a featured sideman with Stanley Turrentine, Jack McDuff, and many others, you know why the Village Voice calls him “one of the most distinctive guitarists to come along in recent years.”

Hot House magazine awarded him Best Guitarist Fans Decision for 2017.  He was recently voted once again as one of the top Jazz Guitarists in the 2019 Downbeat Critics and Readers Polls for the 10th time.

Dave’s CD “Eight Track III” stayed at #1 on JazzWeek Radio chart for 6 straight weeks. “Strykin’ Ahead” featured the same lineup as “Eight Track II”- Steve Nelson, Jared Gold and McClenty Hunter, and received great reviews. “Messin’ with Mister T”, is a celebration of the man he worked with for over a decade — Stanley Turrentine, “Mister T” — with ten of the greatest tenor sax players on the scene today. It went to #1 on JazzWeek Radio and stayed in the Top 50 for 20 weeks and has received great reviews including 4 1/2 stars in Downbeat magazine. Dave’s last CD “Eight Track” was #9 for 2014 on the Jazz Week Radio Charts where it stayed for 20 weeks topping off at #3 for 3 weeks. Downbeat magazine picked it as one of the Top CD’s of 2014, and ran a feature article in the June 2014 issue on Dave.

Dave Stryker grew up in Omaha, Nebraska and moved to New York City in 1980. After establishing himself in the local music scene, he joined organist Jack McDuff’s group for two years 1984-85. When McDuff wasn’t on the road (literally traveling by van all over the country) they worked a steady four-night a week gig at Dude’s Lounge in Harlem. His first break, this turned out to be an invaluable experience, paying his dues night after night with the soulful jazz organist. It was at Dude’s Lounge that Stryker met tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, who would occasionally sit in. After leaving McDuff, Turrentine asked Stryker to join his quintet. From 1986-1995 he played with the legendary saxophonist at all the major festivals, concert halls, and clubs throughout the world. He is featured on two Turrentine CD’s (Stanley recorded Stryker’s tune “Sidesteppin”). With Turrentine, Stryker was able to play with such jazz greats as Dizzy Gillespie and Freddie Hubbard. The ten years playing alongside the tenor legend helped Stryker realize the importance of having his own sound. Dave continued to work with Stanley and was with him during his final week at the Blue Note in NYC, when he passed in Sept. 2000.

Early on Stryker realized that as much as he loved playing standards and the jazz repertoire he had to have something of his own to give to the music. He feels that his writing combined with his playing is what shapes his musical expression. He has recorded and published over 150 of his own compositions and has released “The Dave Stryker Songbook” with most of his original music. Also 18 of the compositions (from the first five SteepleChase CD’s) are compiled in the book: “The Music of Dave Stryker” (SteepleChase Music) which can be ordered on this website.

Some of the other artists who have recorded Dave’s music are: Stanley Turrentine, Kevin Mahogany, Victor Lewis, and Steve Slagle. Dave continues to perform with The Dave Stryker Organ Trio, his Blue to the Bone Band, and The Stryker/Slagle Band. Recent gigs for The Stryker/Slagle Band have included a recent week at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Monterey Jazz Festival, The Blue Note in Las Vegas, The Jazz Bakery in LA, and a 2003 tour of Japan.

Sideman work has included vocalist Kevin Mahogany’s group, with Dave writing and arranging music for Kevin’s Telarc release “Pride and Joy” and “Another Time, Another Place” on Warner Bros and tours of Europe, Japan, Brazil, Poland and Carnegie Hall. He also has worked with Blue Note saxophonist Javon Jackson and pianist Eliane Elias. He has appeared on over 50 CD’s as a sideman. As a producer, Stryker compiled the CD “The Guitar Artistry of Billy Rogers” which is the only existing record of the brilliant jazz playing of the late underground legend who was his friend, former teacher and member of the Crusaders. He has also produced “A Tribute to Grant Green” on Evidence Music.

Dave is the Adjunct Professor of Jazz guitar at Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, and at the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University. He is passing along his experience by teaching privately and at The Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshop, and The Litchfield Jazz Camp. His book “Dave Stryker’s Jazz Guitar Improvisation Method Vol. III”  is available here on his website at www.davestryker.com.

Jocelyn Gould has been called “a leader in the next generation of great mainstream jazz guitarists” by Howard Paul, CEO of Benedetto Guitars. Her joyful energy has captivated audiences around the world and her passion for music is infectious. She has absorbed the influences of the jazz guitar greats and has woven them into an exciting personal sound. Her unique ability to connect with audiences always leaves them wanting more.

Jocelyn Gould has performed internationally in the groups of Grammy nominated vocalist Freddy Cole, Trumpeter Etienne Charles and DownBeat Rising Star trombonist Michael Dease. She can be heard on albums lead by Michael Dease, Jon Gordon, Diego Rivera, Randy Napoleon and Will Bonness. She is the 1st place winner of the 2018 Wilson Centre International Jazz Guitar competition.

Jocelyn's debut release as a leader, 'Elegant Traveler', was nominated for “Jazz Album of the Year” in the 2021 JUNO awards. Elegant Traveler showcases Jocelyn's warm and inviting sound and melodic compositions with an all star band.

Jocelyn is a professor and Head of Guitar Department at Humber College in Toronto.

Most guitarists automatically join a band or dream to make their own album. But one of the best jazz guitarists of all time chose to use his talent in the movie business. Tim May’s guitar solos can be heard during some of your favorite TV shows or movies and on the legendary Back to the Future film. 

Movies aren’t his only niche, however. May, a studio musician, has worked with the best in the music business as well. Frank Sinatra, Celine Dion, Tom Jones and Janet Jackson are all names on the list of legendary musicians he’s collaborated with. 

May explains what a studio musician actually is and how many times bands don’t play their instruments on their own records — that’s where May steps in. 

One of May’s most well-known works of art came with his guitar solo during the Johnny B. Goode scene in the movie Back to the Future.

Originally from Houston, Texas, Mike began studying music formally at the Houston High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, a school renowned for its musical alumni, which includes such luminaries as Jason Moran, Robert Glasper, Brian Michael Cox, Eric Harland, Chris Dave, Kendrick Scott, and Beyoncé.

After graduating, Mike moved to New York City with a scholarship to attend the New School University. While still in school he began garnering the recognition necessary to be called to perform and tour with some of the most venerable names in the Jazz world as well as rising stars of the scene.

Mike Moreno is becoming a hot item on the New York jazz scene. His agile guitar playing has attracted the attention of major artists such as Jeff Tain Watts, Greg Osby, and Kenny Garrett...

Mike Moreno is a masterful composer, with a sense of sophistication that belies his age, and an extraodinary improviser...

-Andrew Lienhard, jazzhouston.com

Over the years, they have included The Joshua Redman Elastic Band, Lizz Wright Band, Nicholas Payton Quartet, Stefon Harris Sonic Creed, Me'Shell N'Degeocello, Jason Moran, Terence Blanchard, Robert Glasper, Ambrose Akinmusire, Gretchen Parlato, Aaron Parks, Claudia Acuña, Greg Osby 4, Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Jeremy Pelt, John Ellis, Myron Walden, Kenny Garret, Yosvany Terry, Ralph Bowen, Will Vinson and more.

Additionally, Mike has recorded with numerous major artists, both inside and outside of the Jazz genre. 3 of these recordings were nominated for a Grammy. In 2010 both Q-Tip's "The Renaissance" and Geoffrey Keezzer's "Aurea" were nominated for Best Album in their categories, as well in 2008 Eldar's "Re-Imagination" received the same nomination in the Jazz Category. Moreno's discography also includes artists such as Bilal, Jeremy Pelt, Robert Glasper, John Ellis, Aaron Parks, Jimmy Greene, Myron Walden, Sam Yahel, Ralph Bowen, Marcus Strickland, Yosvany Terry, Kendrick Scott Oracle, Will Vinson, and Bob Reynolds. 

Recognized as one of the leading voices in the Jazz guitar world, Mike has toured extensively and recorded as a leader of his own band, playing his original music to high critical acclaim. As Nate Chinen describes in his 2007 “The Gig” article in JazzTimes, "There are many other guitarists out there pushing towards a modern ideal, but none with the precise coordinates that Mike Moreno has charted."

In 2007, Mike released his debut CD Between The Lines on the World Culture Music label, which Nate Chinen deemed in The New York Times as one of his top 10 Jazz albums of 2007. He recorded his second and third albums, Third Wish 2008 and First In Mind 2011, for European Jazz label Criss-Cross Records. He returned to World Culture Music for the release of Another Way 2012 which made the 25 "Best of 2012" Jazz Releases on itunes. And his most recent album Lotus has just been released. 

Mitch Holder was born in Los Angeles, California and started playing the guitar at age eight after getting intrigued with the electric guitar sound of Link Wray and Duane Eddy, both popular instrumentalists of the late '50's.  He studied with guitarists, William Pellegrini and Johnny Frisco.  In 1966, a close association developed with studio and jazz guitarist, Howard Roberts, who took Mitch on as a student along with having Mitch go along with him on many of his various studio calls which ultimately helped Mitch to make the decision to go thet studio route as a career.

In 1974, Mitch alternated with Bob Bain on the Johnny Carson Tonight Show Band.

By 1976, Mitch was starting to get free-lance work in the L.A. studios and got so busy that he left the Tonight Show in 1977 but appeared as a sub over a number of years after that when the regulars weren't available. For the next several years, Mitch found himself in the mainstream of session work.

Having an avid interest in the history of guitars and after hooking up with the Gibson Guitar Co. in the '70s, Mitch got involved with guitar design and eventually worked for Gibson as the Western US Product Specialist. He was also with Guitar Center as the electric guitar and bass buyer.  Mitch is now, once again, enjoying more musical pursuits.

Wanting to pay back his friend and mentor, Howard Roberts, who passed away in 1992, Mitch has a book out featuring transcriptions of many of Howard's recorded works entitled The Jazz Guitar Stylings Of Howard Roberts published by Mel Bay Publications.

Mitch has worked with many artists on record which include Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Neil Young, Dionne Warwick, Willie Nelson, Smokey Robinson, Joe Cocker, Stevie Nicks, Barry Manilow, Tom Jones, Brian Wilson, Lionel Ritchie, Woody Herman, Dean Martin, and many more.  He has also performed on many motion pictures such as The Call Of The Wild, Kicking & Screaming, Catch Me If You Can, Space Cowboys(credited acoustic guitar solo), Tootsie, Mrs. Doubtfire, On Golden Pond, Milagro Beanfield War, The Muppet Movie, Saturday Night Fever, Urban Cowboy, Grease, E.T., Indiana Jones & The Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade, Pretty in Pink, Lean On Me, Back To The Future II & III, Roger Rabit, Last Of The Mohicans, and many more.

Mitch has taught at The University Of Southern California, Musicians Institute and presently holds an adjunct position at California Lutheran University.