Frank Vignola is one of the most extraordinary guitarists performing before the public today. His stunning virtuosity has made him the guitarist of choice for many of the world’s top musicians, including Ringo Starr, Madonna, Donald Fagen, Lionel Hampton, Tommy Emmanuel, John Lewis, the Boston Pops, the New York Pops, and guitar legend Les Paul, who named Vignola to his “Five Most Admired Guitarists List” for the Wall Street Journal. In 2020, Frank introduced the Big Jersey Guitar Club offering multiple formats for studying guitar with him online including 10-week Learning Clubs™, and Let’s Practice Sessions, plus Song Intensives and Methods.

Jimmy Bruno, born July 22, 1953 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a master jazz guitarist and jazz educator. Born into a musical family, Jimmy's father played guitar on the 1959 hit "Guitar Boogie Shuffle" with Frank Virtue. Jimmy's mom was a gifted singer.

Living in such a musical household, playing guitar eight to ten hours a day was normal for this south Philly kid. He studied jazz improvisation with local Philly bass legend Al Stauffer and to develop technique, taught himself to play the rigorous and exacting classical violin etudes of Wohlfahrt and Paganini. Although he briefly considered leveraging his perfect SAT scores into medical school, a summer guitar gig in Wildwood NJ changed the direction of Jimmy's life forever, putting him into the path of Buddy Rich.

After a whirlwind round-the-world tour as the youngest member of the Buddy Rich Orchestra, he went on to play guitar in orchestras for Frank Sinatra, Anthony Newley, Doc Severinsen, Lena Horne, and many more music icons. Additionally, he spent many years as an LA session musician working with Tommy Tedesco.

In 1992 he was discovered by Carl Jefferson, the founder of Concord Records and landed a multi-CD recording deal. Since then, Jimmy has recorded over 13 critically acclaimed CDs, including "Sleight of Hand," "Like That," and "Polarity" (with Joe Beck). His most recent CD "Maplewood Avenue" (Affiliated Artists Records) has been described as having "...a 'classic' feel to it... like a famous album we somehow hadn't discovered yet," and was honored by being selected as one of the top CDs of 2008 by Downbeat magazine.

In recognition of his prodigious talents, Jimmy has been invited to play at major music festivals around the world, including the JVC, Berks, Vail, and Concord Jazz Festivals, and a whirlwind stop at the Pescara Jazz Festival in Pescara, Italy. Over the years, he has shared the stage with a who's who of legendary and highly regarded musicians: Joe Beck, Bobby Watson, Jack Wilkins, Tal Farlow (at Farlow's 75th Birthday Concert), Howard Alden, Christian McBride, Kurt Elling and many more. When a tribute concert was planned for Barney Kessel, Jimmy was one of an invited group of 30 guitarists chosen to perform and was honored to open the tribute (with Howard Alden). He has also participated in tributes to jazz giants Kenny Burrell, Herb Ellis and Johnny Smith.

“Bruno... Maaaan!+ —George Benson

Called “the best guitar player I’ve heard in maybe my entire life…” by Pat Metheny, Pasquale Grasso, born in Ariano, Irpino, Italy, began playing guitar at a very young age. Grasso’s principle instruction was with Chuck Wayne’s student and jazz guitar innovator, Agostino Di Giorgio. Another extraordinary influence in Grasso’s career has been bebop piano master and world-renowned jazz educator, Barry Harris. In 2008, Pasquale pursued classical guitar studies in the Music Conservatory of Bologna under Professor Walter Zanetti. In 2012, Grasso moved to New York City and quickly made a name for himself in the city’s vibrant jazz scene. Later that year, Pasquale was named a Jazz Ambassador with the US Embassy, going on to tour extensively across Europe, Kuwait, Kazakstan, Cyprus, Lithuania, and Ukraine, among others.

Despite his young age, Grasso has performed with many leading musicians of the international jazz scene. such as: Barry Harris, Charles Davis, Freddie Redd, Frank Wess, Leroy Wiliams, Ray Drummond, Murray Wall, Steve Grossman,Tardo Hammer, Jimmy Wormworth, John Mosca, Sacha Perry, Ari Roland, Luigi Grasso, Chris Byars, Zaid Nasser, Bucky Pizzarelli, China Moses, Harry Allen Quartet, Grant Stewart, Stepko Gut, Nicolas Dary, Dado Moroni, Agostino di Giorgio, Michel Pastre Big Band, Gianni Basso Big Band, Joe Cohn, Oscar Zenari, Luca Pisani and others.

Rodney Jones, a revolutionary force in the realm of jazz guitar, redefines tradition with a fearless innovation that echoes the pioneering spirit of John Coltrane and McCoy Tyner. Born into a world pulsating with the rhythms of New Haven, Connecticut, in 1956, Jones's journey is a testament to the transformative power of music. Raised in a household where the echoes of the blues mingled with the intellectual pursuits of academia, he absorbed the rich tapestry of influences that would shape his singular style.

From the moment he first picked up the guitar at the age of 8, Jones embarked on a quest to push the boundaries of the jazz guitar tradition like never before. His early years were a melting pot of musical exploration, from the soulful strains of Jimi Hendrix to the soul-stirring sounds of James Brown and Curtis Mayfield. But it was the deep wellspring of the blues that truly captured Jones's soul, infusing his playing with an emotional depth and authenticity that would become his hallmark.

As a teenager, Jones found himself drawn to the smoky clubs and jam sessions of New York City, where he immersed himself in the vibrant jazz scene while honing his craft in soul bands. It was here that he first encountered the revolutionary sounds of John Coltrane and McCoy Tyner, whose modal explorations and harmonic innovations would serve as a guiding light in his musical journey.

With each note he played, Jones pushed the boundaries of the jazz guitar tradition, seamlessly blending the raw emotional power of the blues with the daring harmonic landscapes of Coltrane and Tyner. His playing was a revelation, a modern-day synthesis of tradition and innovation that electrified audiences and inspired generations of musicians.

The turning point came when Jones joined the legendary Dizzy Gillespie's quartet, embarking on a transformative three-year journey that would further solidify his place in the pantheon of jazz greats. Armed with the wisdom gleaned from his time with Gillespie, Jones struck out on his own, touring the globe and recording a series of groundbreaking albums that showcased his virtuosity and vision.

But perhaps Jones's greatest contribution lies in his role as a torchbearer for future generations of jazz musicians. As a professor at esteemed institutions such as The Juilliard School and The Manhattan School of Music, he has dedicated himself to passing on the torch of innovation to the next generation. His workshops and educational initiatives serve as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring musicians, empowering them to carve out their own paths in the ever-evolving landscape of jazz.

Bassist Gary Mazzaroppi is a veteran virtuoso who enjoyed a long-running association with the late great guitar innovator and raconteur Les Paul. Mazzaroppi has accompanied jazz giants from across the spectrum, ranging from vintage greats Lionel Hampton and Clark Terry, Marian McPartland, Red Norvo & Stan Getz, to fusionists Bela Fleck and Chuck Mangione, and, even Willie Nelson, in his songbook excursions. In addition to his busy playing career, Gary is also in the faculty of the Brookdale Community College School of Music, in Lincroft, NJ

Ken Smith was born in Florida, USA and grew up in New Jersey and Abu Dhabi. Ken’s musical education includes a B.M. in Performance from Arizona State University. While living in Arizona, Ken worked as a soloist and ensemble member, playing everything from solo classical guitar to theater productions. Ken also began teaching the guitar at this time, creating a unique approach to applying the language of jazz to the fretboard. Since moving to New York City in 1997, Ken has performed and toured in the US, Asia and Europe, as a side man and leader. Ken is a member of Frank Vignola’s Birdland Guitar Band. Ken is currently developing a suite of educational products that document his unique approach to teaching jazz guitar.