Savannah 2022

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. One of the most critically acclaimed jazz guitarists performing today, Jimmy Bruno came to prominence as a jazz musician in the 1990's, after a successful twenty-year career as a sought-after commercial guitarist and session musician.

Barry Greene began playing guitar in 1971, at the age of ten years old. Strongly influenced by Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, George Benson and Pat Martino, Barry has developed into a world-class guitarist, arranger and composer. Barry has eight CDs out as a leader. Barry has several books published with Mel Bay publications and has authored three i-books. He proudly endorses Thomastik-Infeld strings, Benedetto amps, and Benedetto guitars. Barry is currently a professor of jazz guitar at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, where he has been since 1995. He teaches a guitar ensemble, applied guitar and several audio technology courses. His series of video jazz guitar lessons has gained worldwide recognition and is used by hundreds of jazz guitarists.

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

Howard Paul leads a busy life as President of Benedetto Guitars and as a professional guitarist. In Savannah he oversees the factory, and performs at regional jazz clubs and festivals. He’s a recurring member of The Tony Monaco Trio, The Lenore Raphael Trio, and The Savannah Jazz Orchestra. He also performed extensively in a duo with pianist Bob James, and for more than twenty years with bassist Ben Tucker. Howard has worked with Howard Alden, Bucky Pizzarelli, Andreas Oberg, Jimmy Bruno, and many more. He is chairman of the Savannah Jazz Festival, and a 2011 inductee in the Coastal Jazz Hall of Fame. His most recent CDs include “Tony Monaco/Howard Paul: New Adventures,” “Bob James & Howard Paul: Just Friends: The Hamilton Hall Session released in 2011,” and Ali Ryerson: Jammin’ At The Jazz Corner” are available on iTunes and other media outlets.

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.