Jay Azzolina


Jay Azzolina is an American jazz-fusion guitarist known for his work with the Grammy Award-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 State [University of New York at Purchase#Conservatory of Music|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, Live at One Station Plaza, and The Rolling Stones Project.
Azzolina released the solo album Local Dialect on Garagista Music.

Discography

As leader

Never Too Late Past Tense Live at One Station Plaza
  • ''Local Dialect''

As sideman