Alex de Grassi (USA)
07. 10. 2010 07:30
Finger-picking, blues, jazz
tickets: on the spot
Alex de Grassi (USA)
Though born in Yokosuka, Japan, De Grassi grew up in San Francisco, California, where his grandfather played violin for the San Francisco Symphony and his father was a classical pianist. Alex De Grassi learned to play trumpet but at age thirteen he discovered the guitar - the instrument for which he is now famous - and hasn't looked back. He has a degree in Economic Geography from University of California at Berkeley. Taught himself the guitar though has studied with noted teacher Bill Thrasher and jazz piano with Mark Levine and composition with William Mathieu. De Grassi's first album Turning: Turning Back was released by Windham Hill records in 1978. De Grassi also recorded under RCA/Novus, EarthBeat! Ans 33rd Street recordings. In addition, De Grassi started his own label Tropo Records which he now records under. He performs solo concerts worldwide, holds various guitar workshops and master classes throughout the year, and performs with the DeMania Trio, alongside bassist Michael Manring and percussionist Christopher Garcia. Fellow guitar players consider De Grassi to be among the most virtuosic living guitarists.