Anthony Mazzella
Anthony Mazzella is an innovative guitar virtuoso and master musician. BILLBOARD magazine describes him as "the new generation of guitar hero" and GUITAR ONE magazine voted him "one of the top ten guitarists in the country". Anthony has released four CD's, tours internationally, has contributed tracks on compilation CD's, made guest appearances on major artists releases, receives airplay on national radio and satellite television, and has an independent film soundtrack to his credit. He is an established presence in the genre of instrumental world music and has exciting new projects on the horizon.
Anthony began his career as a concert guitarist in New York City. He quickly built up a strong following performing in most every live music club in Manhattan. He then landed a headlining spot at the BLUE NOTE NYC just one year after street performing in front of it and has since gone on to perform on stages all over the world. He has opened for headlining artists such as James Brown, Tower of Power, The Commodores, and Spyro Gyra. His original music is composed with a fusion of world influences consisting of rock, jazz, classical, flamenco, funk, R&B, Celtic, ambient, medieval, middle-eastern, Native American, electric and acoustic finger-style. Anthony also plays a one-of-a-kind Ten String Guitar that he designed and was built by his father. On this unique instrument, Anthony displays his abilities in fingering bass lines and chords with his left hand while simultaneously playing melodies on the fret board with his right.
Mazzella began studying music on the violin at age five. He then proceeded to learn the rudiments of music on piano until falling in love with the guitar at age thirteen. Throughout his adolescence he studied with several private guitar teachers, but Anthony attributes the greater part of his education to ear training. His influences are many, but none more profound than the music and techniques of guitar masters such as Pat Metheny, Eddie Van Halen, Michael Hedges, Andres Segovia and countless others. Anthony is also one of the few chosen understudies of world-renowned guitar master Stanley Jordan. Anthony continues his studies by exploring the music from cultures all over the world and collaborating with musicians indigenous to those regions.
Anthony is currently collaborating with Grammy nominated recording artist William Eaton. Together they composed and recorded music for an Electric Harp Guitar Group CD. This instrumental combination is a first. Imagine three 18-string instruments simultaneously resonating in harmony, rhythmic syncopation, and melodic counterpoint, using elements of jazz, classical, East Indian, ambient, funk, rock and their own finger-style innovations. Anthony is also the current concert guitarist for world music master Omar Faruk Tekbilek. In his words, Anthony is always performing solo or in groups to "give life to music and music to life."
Anthony offers full performance shows, workshops and lectures.