Jimmy Bruno was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 22, 1953. He is a jazz teacher and master jazz guitarist. Jimmy Bruno is one of the most respected jazz guitarists today. He rose to fame as a jazz musician in 1990’s after a twenty-year successful career as a session musician and commercial guitarist. These were the words that launched Jimmy Bruno’s professional life as a guitarist. Buddy Rich’s 1973 audition day saw many guitarists being thrown at by Buddy, his not-so-subtle method of disapproval. Jimmy, a 19-year-old, was granted the gig. He is a Philadelphia native and was raised in a musical family. Jimmy’s father was a guitarist on the 1959 hit “Guitar Boogie Shuffle” featuring Frank Virtue. Jimmy’s mother was a talented singer. This south Philly child grew up in a musical family and was able to play guitar for eight to ten hours per day. To learn jazz improvisation from Al Stauffer, a local Philly bassist, and to improve his technique, he learned how to play the exacting and precise classical violin etudes by Wohlfahrt and Paganini. He briefly considered applying his excellent SAT scores to medical school. However, a summer gig as a guitarist in Wildwood NJ changed Jimmy’s life and led him to Buddy Rich. He was the youngest Buddy Rich Orchestra member and went on a whirlwind tour around the world. He also spent many years in LA as a session musician, working with Tommy Tedesco. Jazz was his first love, and he was ready for the spotlight when he was in his thirties. Moving back East was his first step. His reputation as one the most popular guitarists grew by performing in small clubs and venues throughout Philadelphia during the 1980’s. He was discovered by Carl Jefferson in 1992, who founded Concord Records. He signed a multi-CD record deal. Jimmy has released 13 critically acclaimed CDs since then, including “Sleight of Hand,” “Like That” and “Polarity” (with Joe Beck). His latest CD, “Maplewood Avenue”, was released by Affiliated Artists Records. It has been described by Downbeat magazine as having “…a classic feel to it… almost like a well-known album that we hadn’t yet discovered.” Jimmy was invited to perform at several major music festivals, including the JVC and Berks, Vail and Concord Jazz Festivals. He also made a brief stop at the Pescara Jazz Festival, Pescara, Italy, in recognition of his extraordinary talents. He has shared the stage over the years with many well-known and respected musicians, including Joe Beck, Bobby Watson and Jack Wilkins. Jimmy was invited to join the 30 guitarists who were selected to perform at a Barney Kessel tribute concert. He was also honored to be there with Howard Alden. He also performed in tributes to jazz legends Kenny Burrell and Herb Ellis. Jimmy Bruno Guitar Institute (JBGI) was established by Affiliated Artists in May 2007. Jimmy’s unique insights into jazz and jazz guitar allowed him to share his “no-nonsense” approach to jazzimprovisation with eager guitar students all over the globe. His long-standing reputation for jazz education was further enhanced five months later when he was invited by Jazz Improv Convention to speak and perform in New York City. In celebration of their 75th anniversary in 2009, Downbeat magazine named Jimmy one of the 75 greatest guitarists. Jimmy Bruno Guitar Workshop, his online school for jazz guitar, was established in 2011. It features new lesson content and improved delivery systems that better serve the large jazz guitar student population. After three years at the Institute, he has revolutionized how students learn guitar online. He has improved his teaching methods and refined his teaching style through direct feedback from his students. Jimmy lives with his wife Peg, and their daughter Susanna in Philadelphia. Jimmy’s son is currently completing his Ph.D. in Linguistics at Rutgers University. from http://www.jimmybruno.com
