Tommy Emmanuel

Two-time GRAMMY nominee Tommy Emmanuel CGP is one of the world’s most respected musicians. With a professional career spanning five decades, Tommy has garnered hundreds of thousands of loyal fans worldwide.

His unusual talent and life are common lore in Australia: born into a musical family, Tommy got his first guitar at age 4 and was taught by his mother. He quickly learned by ear, with no formal instruction, and has never read music. By age 6 he was working as a professional musician in the family band (variously named The Emmanuel Quartet, The Midget Surfaries and The Trailblazers). By the age of 10, young Tommy had already played his way across Australia.

In the 1970s, Tommy was in high demand as a session player and sideman: he played on recordings for Air Supply, Men at Work and dozens of other popular bands and artists, as well as thousands of commercial jingles and tunes. Some of his most notable appearances were on the Air Supply hit singles “Lost in Love,” “All Out of Love,” “Every Woman in the World,” and “Now and Forever.” Tommy soon became known as one of the best modern guitarists in Australia. In 1985 he joined one of the decade’s biggest Australian rock bands, Dragon, and recorded the platinum-selling album Dreams of Ordinary Men. It is for his successful solo career, however, that Tommy is best known.

In the 1980s, Tommy finally met and got to play with his hero, Chet Atkins, in Nashville, TN. From that magical moment forward, Atkins took him under his wing, and the influences are evident throughout Tommy’s music: in his personal philosophy, technical precision, virtuosic improvisations and unusually broad repertoire (encompassing not only country and bluegrass, but pop, jazz, blues, gospel, even classical, flamenco, and aboriginal styles). Tommy speaks of his mentor with the love and gratitude of a son, and his dream of recording with Chet Atkins came true in 1996 when the pair made an album titled “The Day The Finger Pickers Took Over The World” for which Tommy received his first GRAMMY award nomination.

Chet honored Tommy with the title of “Certified Guitar Player” (CGP) for his contribution to guitar music, a very rare distinction shared by only four other people in the world. After an amazing performance with his brother Phil at the Sydney Olympic Games Closing Ceremony, the world wanted to know who this mysterious Australian guitar virtuoso was. In 2001, Tommy released his first solo-acoustic album, ONLY and his popularity has grown by leaps and bounds aided by a non-stop touring schedule and increasing exposure in the media.

His album The Mystery earned him another GRAMMY nomination, and in 2008 Guitar Player Magazine and Acoustic Guitar Magazine named him Best Acoustic Guitarist and Gold Medalist in the in the Readers’ Choice and Players’ Choice Awards. Guitar Player’s 2010 Readers Choice awards named him Best Acoustic Guitarist for the second time.

Tommy Emmanuel is an honorary Kentucky Colonel, a CGP (Certified Guitar Player), an Order of Australia Medalist (AM) and the holder of both an honorary Masters Degree (MA) and more recently an honorary Doctor of Arts (DR) from Charles Sturt University in Australia in recognition of his commitment to rural Australia and his contribution to music education.

Matteo Mancuso

Matteo Mancuso, born in 1996 and raised in the province of Palermo. A musical prodigy from an early age, Matteo’s introduction to the world of music was guided by his father, Vincenzo Mancuso, a well-known guitarist and producer in the industry, serving as both mentor and master during his formative years.
Teaming up with his father, Matteo made waves in Sicily’s jazz scene, participating in local festivals at just 11 years old. The duo later explored a diverse repertoire, spanning from Django Reinhardt to contemporary jazz. As a teenager, Matteo pursued his passion by enrolling in a music high school, specializing in classical guitar.
Post-high school Diploma, he founded the Snips trio, gaining widespread acclaim for their fusion take on classic standards, including his first viral YouTube video “The Chicken”
In 2017, Matteo’s talent was recognized at the Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia, where he secured a scholarship to the esteemed Berklee College Of Music in Boston. With Snips, he continued to make waves, performing at renowned events such as the Musikmesse 2017 in Frankfurt, Les Nuits De La Guitare in Corsica, and Umbria Jazz 2018.
As a collaborator with Yamaha Guitars, Matteo showcased his expertise at NAMM 2019 in Los Angeles and participated as a judge at the “Young Guitar Festival” in Bangkok. 2019 also marked his venture into Russia, conducting masterclasses in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Perm.
In 2020, Matteo founded a new trio, featuring Stefano India on bass and Giuseppe Bruno on drums, showcasing his compositional prowess with original compositions. The following year, he embarked on a successful tour across Italy, gracing stages from Festivalle in Agrigento to the Blue Note in Milan. Between studio work and continued composition, Matteo solidified his position as a rising star in the music scene.
The year 2022 saw Matteo’s European tour, including appearances at the International Festival in Bremen and Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome.
In June, following the Jazz guitar graduation with honors and the highest distinction at the Conservatory of Palermo, he resumed touring, sharing the stage with Al Di Meola during the Eddie Lang Jazz Festival.
In August 2023 he was also invited by the legendary PFM as a guest for their new live album “ The event ” which was recorded at the Lugano Estival Jazz. September brought an appearance on Stefano Bollani’s “Via dei Matti n°0 ” show, followed by shows at the Jazz Festival in Uppsala, Sweden, and opening the Jazz Festival in Spoleto on October 21.
The momentum continued into 2023, with a special invitation from Tommy Emmanuel to join him on stage at the “Teatro Golden” in Palermo. May marked the kickoff of the summer tour, featuring previews of songs from Matteo’s eagerly anticipated debut solo album.
On July 21, “The Journey” was released, capturing the essence of his diverse musical influences. It narrates the musical journey of a young artist absorbing, interpreting, and expressing his passion for music. The album pays homage to his roots, influential artists, and genres that have left a mark on his musical identity.
September introduced a new chapter in Matteo’s musical journey, featuring a revamped lineup with Riccardo Oliva on bass and keyboards and Gianluca Pellerito on drums.
Matteo’s YouTube channel is followed by over 180,000 international subscribers. Renowned musicians, including Dweezil Zappa, Joe Bonamassa, Eric Johnson, Al Di Meola, and Steve Vai, have praised Matteo’s talents, hailing him as the “evolution of fusion guitar”.
“Matteo is the evolution of fusion guitar, his breathtaking technique is a marvel to behold. He’s the evidence that the evolving spirit of guitars players is firmly intact” Steve Vai.
“He’s a beautiful player and he is so versatile, he plays any style, he plays rock he plays Django, pretty amazing” Eric Johnson.

Joscho Stephan

Joscho Stephan shapes modern gypsy swing with his playing like no other: With his authentic tone, his harmonic finesse and his sense of rhythm, but above all with his breathtaking solo technique, Stephan has earned himself an outstanding reputation on the international guitar scene. Like no other, he knows how to stand out from the multitude of current Gypsy Swing adaptations by combining Gypsy Swing with Latin, Classical and Rock, in addition to numerous interpretations of the well-known classics of the genre. This is where Stephan’s strength as a creative visionary shines through. The result is a delight for concert audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Joschos YouTube version of “Hey Joe” has now reached 3 million views. His debut album ‘Swinging Strings’ was voted CD of the month by the Guitar Player magazine. The Acoustic Guitar Magazine celebrated Joscho Stephan as the future of gypsy jazz guitar. For the CD “Guitar Heroes” Joscho Stephan invited guitar greats like Bireli Lagrène, Stochelo Rosenberg and Tommy Emmanuel. The Album
“Paris – Berlin” was released as a limited “Direct to Disc” vinyl, recorded at the legendary Hansa Studios (where David Bowie’s “Heroes” was recorded, among others). In total, 4 of Joscho’s albums have been nominated for the German Record Critics’ Award. In the USA, too, he has thrilled audiences with concerts in Nashville, Chicago, San Francisco, Detroit and at the legendary Jazz Festival. San Francisco, Detroit, the legendary jazz club Birdland and the Lincoln Center in New York. On the Australian continent, Joscho Stephan has toured with Tommy Emmanuel.

Tuck & Patti

For over 45 years, this unique, genre-crossing vocal/guitar duo has cast its passionate musical spell worldwide, capturing the hearts of lovers, the respect of jazz buffs and the jaw-dropping awe of guitarists and singers. Their recording career took off with 1988’s groundbreaking Tears of Joy. Now, 13 albums later, they have toured the world incessantly as a duo, appearing at times alongside Miles Davis, Count Basie, George Benson, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock and many others. They have long been regarded by musicians and critics as the standard for an improvising musical duo. Their music spans Duke Ellington, the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix–rock, pop, jazz, gospel, blues, folk, world and classical–classics and originals, but inevitably finally just sounds like Tuck & Patti. Transcending categorization, Tuck & Patti are known for individual virtuosity in service of the greater goal of expressing love, hope and gratitude through their musical collaboration.
To understand Tuck & Patti, start with the wellspring of love within them, then their music begins to make perfect sense. Married 42 years, Tuck Andress and Patti Cathcart continue to stoke the fires, not only of their own love, but also of their love of life and their passion for making music together. They have a long-standing tradition: Minimalist arrangements featuring Tuck’s extraordinary virtuosity and Patti’s rich mezzo soprano. Renowned for her remarkable ability to touch hearts directly with her voice, Patti is also the writer, arranger and producer. Without even blinking, Tuck-the-problem-solver brags, “Patti writes and arranges; I am just the orchestra.”
Tuck and Patti have achieved a rare symbiotic musical relationship that sends critics scrambling for a reference point. They have been compared to every legendary duo you can imagine—from Fred & Ginger to the late Leonard Feather’s ringing “Not since Ella Fitzgerald met Joe Pass on stage has there been so felicitious a mating as Tuck & Patti.”
When they’re not touring or recording, they teach as well as produce, record and mix other artists in their studio near San Francisco, part of their mission to use their expertise to help others realize their own dreams.

Clive Carroll

Clive Carroll made his musical debut at age two as a banjo-strumming cowboy singing nursery rhymes, and went on to earn a 1st Class Honours Degree in Composition and Guitar from the famed Trinity College of Music in London. Clive’s solo tours have brought him around the world, and he has been recognised with an array of awards, composed scores for major films, and collaborated with guitar greats such as John Renbourn, John Williams, Tommy Emmanuel, Xuefei Yang, Ralph Towner, Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, and Al Petteway.
“The Abbot”, Clive’s latest release, is already being hailed as a modern-day classic. Featuring the music of British guitar legend John Renbourn, “The Abbot” sees Clive joined by 20 guest musicians and a medieval ensemble. Renbourn’s finest compositions stand alongside several of his never-before-heard pieces, all presented in new arrangements that Clive delivers with his own unique musical voice.
Clive is also a sought-after teacher, and has given workshops and masterclasses at University of Wisconsin/Milwaukee, Aldeburgh Music’s Britten-Piers Foundation, Bristol and Brighton Institutes of Modern Music, Colchester Institute, Marlborough College, the Irish World Academy at the University of Limerick, Newcastle University, The Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford, and The Swannanoa Gathering, among others.

Frano

Frano (20) is an award winning musician, composer and entertainer.

QUICK FACTS
Born name: Frano Živković
Age: 20
Among youngest members of Croatian Composer’s Society
Styles: Fingerstyle, Blues/Rock, Acoustic, Classical, Jazz, Gipsy Jazz, Crossover
Performed over 300 concerts in 14 countries.
Plays “Yellow Mouse” guitar that Tommy Emmanuel gifted him.
Frano inspired director Lee Unkrich to create main character Miguel in the multiple Oscar award winning Disney/Pixar film Coco (2017)

SIGNIFICANT PERFORMANCES
2010. Solo classical guitar concert at the Music Academy of Zagreb (age of 5)
2013. Youngest in the world to perform Vivaldi’s Chamber Concerto in D-major RV93 (age of 8)
2013. First performance with his greatest hero Tommy Emmanuel, CGP in the biggest Croatian national concert hall Vatroslav Lisinski in Zagreb (age of 8)
2018. Composed “Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra” and performed it as soloist with Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra (age of 14)
2024. Conducted his original “Life’s Orchestral Trilogy” with the Symphony Orchestra of Rijeka (age of 19)

OPENING ACTS (PRE-SHOWS)
2Cellos, John Scofield, Manfred Mann, Kiefer Sutherland, Kool & the Gang, Mother’s Finest, Ian Paice, Zucchero & Corrado Rustici, Kaki King, Norah Jones..

TOURS
Special guest on Tommy Emmanuel Tour 2016/17, Al di Meola Opus 2018, Canned Heat & Ten Years After 2019.
SchoolTour/Solo – Croatia, Germany and Sweden 2015-2018.

SOLO ALBUMS
At age of 10, Frano published his first release as a solo guitarist – album “It’s a Secret”, performing his original compositions. At the age of 14, he released his second solo album “Reason To Smile”.

AWARDS
Winner of several international competitions in music theory and classical guitar
2017. “Rudolf and Margita Matz” award for young composers by Croatian Composer’s Society at the (age of 12)
2022. Winner of the National Thumbpickers Hall of Fame Horizon Award (age of 17)
2024. Winner of the Croatian Music Union Status Award in category of The Best Acoustic-Electric Guitar Player at the (age of 19)

EDUCATION
2019. Graduated from music high school, theoretical department (age of 14)
2020. Enrolled Music academy of Pula (age of 16)
2021. Completed Composing and Orchestrating for Film and TV at Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA, USA (age of 17)

Alberto Lombardi

Italian virtuoso guitarist Alberto Lombardi is an internationally renowned fingerstyle solo acoustic and electric rock player, singer songwriter and record producer.

He shared the stage with some of the most iconic acoustic players of our times, like Tommy Emmanuel and Peter Finger, and toured extensively in Europe and USA.

His 25 years work as a session man and record producer, together with his passion for fingerstyle acoustic guitar and writing songs, blended into a very diverse and powerful musical style.
Alberto’s concerts, comprised of both original compositions and elaborate arrangements of great classics from the Italian and international tradition, are a blend of solo acoustic guitar, vocals and lavish electric guitar solos.

He released 3 solo acoustic guitar albums that encountered great acclaim from both the guitar community and renowned magazines, like Acoustic Guitar and Vintage Guitar, that puts him among the 8 guitarists to watch in 2018. His most recent singer songwriter rock album “Home” was mixed by Bruce Springsteen and Rolling Stones legendary sound engineer Bob Clearmountain and received the praise of music giants like Nile Rodgers.

As a teacher, besides his own online guitar courses, Lombardi released four instructional videos for Stefan Grossman and various Italian books and video lessons on arranging for fingerstyle guitar and soloing on the electric.

Alberto is a Maton Guitars, B&G guitars, Kyser capos and Fred Kelly picks supported artist.