Home » Jazz Musicians » Jimmy Bruno
Jimmy Bruno
Jimmy Bruno, born July 22, 1953 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a master jazz guitarist and jazz educator. One of the most critically acclaimed jazz guitarist 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.
“Get on the bus-we leave tonight”
Those were the words that began Jimmy Bruno’s professional career as a guitarist. Most of the other guitarists auditioning for Buddy Rich’s band that day in 1973 were getting drumsticks thrown at them, Buddy’s not-so-subtle way of showing disapproval. But not 19 year-old Jimmy; he got the gig. A Philadelphia native, he was born into a family no strangers to the music world. 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 8 to 10 hours a day was normal for this south Philly kid. He hungrily soaked up everything his father could teach him, landing on national television at age 13, the winner of the Ted Mack Original Amateur Hour. Soon he was studying jazz improvisation with local bass legend Al Stauffer. To develop technique, he taught himself to play the 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 (with Larry Cartell), changed the direction of Jimmy’s life forever. He was 17 and has never had a job unrelated to guitar playing since.
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, Wayne Newton, Lena Horne, and many more music icons. During his years as an LA session musician with Tommy Tedesco, Jimmy played on dozens of TV and film scores. But his first love was always jazz, and by the time he was in his mid-thirties he was ready to come out of the background and into the spotlight.
Paying his dues by playing blistering guitar in the small clubs and venues around his beloved Philadelphia during the 1980’s, his reputation as one of the hottest guitar players grew. In 1992 he landed a multi-CD recording deal with legendary jazz label Concord Records. Since then Jimmy has recorded over 13 critically acclaimed CDs, including “Sleight of Hand,” “Like That,” and “Polarity.” His most recent CD “Maplewood Avenue” (Affiliated Artists Records) was described as having “…a 'classic' feel to it...like a famous album we somehow hadn't discovered yet.” Jimmy performs constantly as leader of the Jimmy Bruno Trio in jazz venues and jazz festivals around the world, including the Iridium in New York and Blues Alley in Washington DC. He is often described as one of the greatest jazz guitarists of all time.
Read moreTags
Andrea Clearfield Salon: 32 Year Anniversary Celebration
by Victor L. Schermer
Jimmy Bruno and other Jazz Artists Andrea Clearfield Salon 32 Year Anniversary Celebration Philadelphia, PA September 30, 2018 For thirty-two years, Andrea Clearfield's Salon has been a unique monthly musical event held at her Center City Philadelphia home with a large two-story high living room and a grand piano perfect for the occasion. At these salons, musicians and serious music aficianados gather for an evening of short performances by some ...
Continue ReadingJimmy Bruno: From Surgery and Carjackings to His Guitar Institute
by Edward Zucker
Jimmy Bruno's stature as one of jazz's top hard bop guitarist is undisputed. His career as a musician and educator warrants the numerous times that he has been interviewed at All About Jazz. In this interview with AAJ contributor Edward Zucker, Bruno discusses his current CD, Maplewood Avenue (Affiliated Artists, LLC, 2007), the Jimmy Bruno Guitar Institute, carpal tunnel surgery and a near carjacking. He also offers his uncensored opinion on numerous other topics. Surgery All ...
Continue ReadingJimmy Bruno: Maplewood Avenue & Jazz Hits, Vol. 1
by Tom Greenland
Jimmy Bruno Maplewood Avenue Affiliated Artists 2007 MB3 Jazz Hits, Vol. 1 Mel Bay 2006
Jimmy Bruno, one of the most technically proficient yet stylistically-nuanced hard bop guitarists to emerge from the lineage of fellow Pennsylvanians Pat Martino and George Benson, remains a guitarist's guitarist -- if not a trendsetter, certainly ...
Continue ReadingJimmy Bruno: Maplewood Avenue
by Jerry D'Souza
Guitarist Jimmy Bruno opts for the quiet mood, which he sets up with Tony Miceli (vibraphone) and Jeff Pedras (bass), on several of the tunes on Maplewood Avenue. The accent is on chamber jazz but they move out of it on occasion, to lend a welcome balance.
The trio sets an intimate atmosphere and lure the listener into the center of that spell. The impact is immediate, as the three ventures into “Maplewood Avenue. The melody has a lilt that ...
Continue ReadingJimmy Bruno: Maplewood Avenue
by Mark Corroto
What is it about Philadelphia boxers and musicians? And I'm not talking about Rocky Balboa, he's fictional, rather Joe Frazier and Bernard Hopkins. No one in their right mind would get in the ring with Sonny Liston. Same with musicians, some of the baddest players one could find in late night “cutting contests were Joe Venuti, Philly Joe Jones, Grover Washington Jr. and, while not born in Philly, both Dizzy Gillespie and John Coltrane can be claimed as sons.
Continue ReadingJimmy Bruno: Solo
by Alex K. Fong
A lot of musicians first learn their craft through the various method books produced by Mel Bay Publications. And so it is within reason to expect outstanding technique on the recordings recorded by Mel Bay Records.
Solo , guitarist Jimmy Bruno's first album for the fledgling label, doesn't disappoint on that score. It's a fiercely swung set of standards and originals featuring walking bass lines, sweep-picked arpeggios, and whole tone scales imaginatively deployed on solo guitar. There's even ...
Continue ReadingJimmy Bruno: Midnight Blue
by Mark Corroto
Guitarist Jimmy Bruno, known for his flawless bop guitar, spreads himself in many directions for his latest disc, a seventh for Concord records. The Philadelphia native's adventure on Midnight Blue takes him from modal jazz to jazz-funk and soul, in other words, a 21st century 'back to the future.'
This session, recorded with an all-Philly lineup, may ruffle the traditionalist a bit with Bruno's heavy nod towards the Mister magic days of Grover Washington Jr. and all its soulful spin-offs. ...
Continue ReadingEric Alexander With The Jimmy Bruno Trio At Chris' Jazz Cafe On December 14 & 15, 2012
Source:
All About Jazz
Chris' Jazz Café presents saxophonist Eric Alexander with the Jimmy Bruno Trio, Friday and Saturday December 14 & 15, 2012. Since placing second in 1991 to Joshua Redman in the Thelonious Monk Institute's saxophone competition, Alexander equally impressive on hard swinging numbers and romantic ballads has played on well over 100 albums featuring some of the biggest names in jazz. Alexander has been a frequent performer and guest artist at Chris', where has performed with Pat Martino, Bootsie Barnes, Larry ...
read more
Jimmy Bruno and Chuck Anderson work on a new recording project!
Source:
Chuck Anderson
Master guitarists Jimmy Bruno and Chuck Anderson are currently composing material for an exciting new project entitled Images for Two Jazz Guitars. The talented tandem are also planning live performances as well as master classes and other educational platforms in support of it. Their goal is to explore new musical territory with both the compositions and the instrumentation of each piece. Tracks will find their own direction and require unique instrumentation and don't be surprised to hear a cello and ...
read more
Master Jazz Guitarist Jimmy Bruno Announces Virtual Jazz Cafe to Bring High Quality Live Performance to the Internet
Source:
Public Emily
Master Jazz Guitarist Jimmy Bruno Announces His Own Virtual Jazz Cafe To Bring High Quality Live Performance To The Internet
As music venues close and musicians are less likely to travel all over the United States due to tough economic times, Master Jazz guitarist and educator Jimmy Bruno is creating his own Virtual Jazz Cafe. This project will present live jazz in an intimate setting over the internet for little or no cost to people around the world. Jimmy Bruno's ...
read more
Guitar Talk with Jimmy Bruno on The AAJ Bulletin Board
Source:
All About Jazz
Musician? If so, you're invited to join us this month on the All About Jazz bulletin board where world-renowned guitarist and educator Jimmy Bruno is talking jazz and fielding questions.
Follow the thread, post a question, or say hello!
About Jimmy Bruno
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 ...
read more
Jimmy Bruno Guitar Institute Shatters Enrollment Projections, Introduces Proprietary Technology
Source:
All About Jazz
Strong worldwide demand drives an unprecedented success of the very popular online learning institute, the Jimmy Bruno Guitar Institute. Through video interchanges, students in 40 countries are converging on one site to learn jazz around the world. This leading edge video technology combined with full accessibility to a veteran jazz master signals a breakthrough in learning on the internet. The growth has been phenomenal and gratifying Napa, CA -- The Internet-based Jimmy Bruno Guitar Institute (JBGI) announces today that it ...
read more
Jimmy Bruno at Chris' Jazz Cafe 8:00PM, 10:00PM
Source:
Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
02/02/2008 CHRIS'S JAZZ CAFE 8:00pm, 10:00pm Chris' Jazz Cafe 1421 Sansom Street Philadelphia, PA 19102 215-568-3131
Craig Thomas (Bass), Sid Simmons (Piano), Webb Thomas (Drums)
Students at all levels, no matter where they live, now have unfettered access to a true guitar master.
About Affiliated Artists, LLC: Affiliated Artists works with a highly selected number of entrepreneurial and energetic musicians and is a cooperative ...
read more
Guitarist Jimmy Bruno Interviewed at AAJ
Source:
All About Jazz
Jimmy Bruno's stature as one of jazz's top hard bop guitarist is undisputed. His career as a musician and educator warrants the numerous times that he has been interviewed at All About Jazz.
In this interview with AAJ contributor Edward Zucker, Bruno discusses his current CD, Maplewood Avenue (Affiliated Artists, LLC, 2007), the Jimmy Bruno Guitar Institute, carpal tunnel surgery and a near carjacking. He also offers his uncensored opinion on numerous other topics.
Check out Jimmy Bruno: From Surgery ...
read more
Jimmy Bruno & Joe Beck Perform at Jazz Month 2007
Source:
Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
"Polarity" guitarists Jimmy Bruno & Joe Beck will be the finale performance of Jazz Month 2007 in Monmouth County New Jersey the Sunday after Thanksgiving. The Monmouth County Library hosts a month long series of renowned jazz musicians who perform every Sunday. Throughout November, the Jazz Month 2007 supplements the performances with jazz discussions and films for patrons and members. This week, on November 25 at 2PM, the recording Polarity recording duo will perform together once again and close out ...
read more
Guitarist Jimmy Bruno to Perform at New York City's the Iridium
Source:
All About Jazz
Jazz Guitar Master, Jimmy Bruno's "Maplewood Avenue" CD Debuts at Washington's Smithsonian Jazz Cafe
Source:
All About Jazz
Despite the threat of closure, the Jazz Cafe at the Smithsonian continues to attract great musicians to its stage. Legendary Jazz Guitar Master, Jimmy Bruno has chosen to debut his new CD release Maplewood Avenue at the Jazz Caf Friday night.
Jimmy Bruno's combo will play music from the new recording as well as other familiar jazz favorites. Jimmy's music combines his masterful playing with the warmth of the vibraphone and soulful upright bass. A “live in studio" recording, Maplewood ...
read more
"Jazz guitarists just don’t come any better. Jimmy Bruno combines a dazzling virtuoso technique with drive and swing to produce, in concert and on record, superb and inspired lyrical improvisations." —Maurice J. Summerfield, Author of The Jazz Guitar Guide
"...Jimmy Bruno has no peers. His taste, concept and technique is unsurpassed as a jazz guitar player..." —Johnny Smith
Primary Instrument
Guitar
Location
Philadelphia
Willing to teach
Advanced only
Credentials/Background
Improvisation is the heart of jazz. I'll show you how to do right; give you exercises to lock it in tight. I’ll teach you the fundamentals of chords and chord soloing (you'll never need a chord encyclopedia again).
It’s all about the music. We’ll apply what you’ve learned to the song of your choice (or I’ll get you started on tone of the jazz standards).
I'll teach you how to practice productively
Paul Colombo
guitar, electric
Don Price
guitar, acoustic
Rick Peralta
guitar
Zock Organ Trio
band / ensemble / orchestraPhotos
Music
Maplewood Avenue
From: Maplewood AvenueBy Jimmy Bruno
Videos
Similar
Russell Malone
guitar
Cedar Walton
piano
Kenny Burrell
guitar, electric
Chick Corea
piano
Sonny Rollins
saxophone
Pat Martino
guitar
Kenny Garrett
saxophone, alto
Joe Pass
guitar
Freddie Hubbard
trumpet
Wes Montgomery
guitar
John Scofield
guitar
Clifford Brown
trumpet
Art Blakey
drums
McCoy Tyner
piano
Johnny Smith
guitar
Barney Kessel
guitar, electric
Jimmy Bruno
Location: Philadelphia
Instrument: Guitar
Born: July 22, 1953
