Introduction
Jay Azzolina (born December 23, 1952) is a jazz-fusion guitarist known for his work with the Grammy-winning group Spyro Gyra. He has also performed and recorded with Carly Simon, Donna Summer, The Manhattan Transfer, Herbie Mann, Rickie Lee Jones, and Chuck Mangione.
Overview
Azzolina began his musical life playing trumpet and piano. At the age of eleven, he chose a guitar from his father's music store, and that became his primary interest. He spent a year studying classical guitar before attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he studied under Pat Metheny. He released his first album, Never Too Late, in 1989.
In 1995, Azzolina received his M.F.A. degree from the Conservatory of Music at Purchase, New York. He soon began teaching there as well.
In 1997, he became a member of the John Patitucci Band and appeared on the albums, Past Tense (Double-Time, 2000), Live at One Station Plaza (2002), and The Rolling Stones Project (2005).
Azzolina released the solo album Local Dialect (2007) on Garagista Music.
Discography
- 1989 Never Too Late (Antilles)
- 2000 Past Tense (Double-Time) featuring Chris Potter, John Patitucci, Charles Blenzig, Adam Nussbaum, Jill Azzolina, Julie Eisenberg
- 2002 Live at One Station Plaza with Adam Nussbaum, Gary Versace (Azziz)
- 2005 The Rolling Stones Project
- 2007 Local Dialect featuring Tim Ries, Larry Golding, John Patitucci, Greg Hutchinson, Cyro Baptista, Scott Wendholt, Mike Davis, Charles Blenzig (Garagista)