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Latin Jazz Fusion - Al Di Meola's World Sinfonia band blends classical, jazz, and tango music with Middle Eastern overtones. The result is an electrifying mix complete with sophisticated rhythms, haunting and alluring melodies, and of course some thrilling action both on electric and acoustic guitars.
Al Di Meola holds the most prestigious guitar awards (of any guitarist in the world) from the highest rated guitar poll in the world, Guitar Player Magazine. He has been known throughout the world for the past three decades as one of the most prominent virtuosos in the contemporary instrumental jazz field. A pioneer of blending world music and jazz, his first 3 albums are some of the finest jazz fusion guitar-based recordings ever: 1976's Land of the Midnight Sun, 1977's Elegant Gypsy and 1978's Casino.
Al Di Meola, again and again, reveals himself as a seasoned gifted contemporary composer and a player of deepening grace and evocative lyricism. He has been continually sited by many of the top prominent music critics around the world for his virtuosic guitar work and compositions. Al's intrigue with complex rhythmic syncopation combined with provocative lyrical melodies, always incorporating sophisticated harmony, is at the root of these serious but heart felt works. His awesome technique and musical depth can be traced back to the world-renowned debut in 1974 with Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Lenny White in their band Return to Forever. 1980 marked the triumph of the "Super Guitar Trio" with Paco De Lucia and John McLaughlin. The album "Friday Night in San Francisco" became a landmark recording resulting in wide acclaim. They toured from 1980 through 1983 and recorded Passion Grace and Fire in 1983. Then reuniting for a 3rd recording "Guitar Trio" in 1996 follow by a world tour. In early 1996, Al Di Meola formed a new trio with Jean Luc Ponty and Stanley Clarke and they recorded "The Rite of Strings" in 1995.
Throughout the '80s and '90s, Al Di Meola racked up numerous accolades and recorded more then 20 albums where the guitar great reflects the rich influence of flamenco, tango, Middle Eastern, Cuba and Argentinean music. The evocative melodies and the rhythmic diversity of Al's music is greatly influenced by the late Argentinean tango master Astor Piazzolla as can be heard on many of his recordings and live performances. His recordings include: 1992's Kiss My Axe, 1993's Heart of the Immigrant's, 1994's Orange and Blue, and 1998's Infinite Desire, 2000's The Grand Passion, 2002's Flesh on Flesh, 2005's Cosmopolitan Life, 2006's Consequence of Chaos, 2007's Diabolic Inventions and Seduction for Solo Guitar, Vol 1: Music of Astor Piazzolla, and Live in London, 2008's La Melodia, Live in Milano and 2009's Live from Seattle and Elsewhere.