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Victor Samalot

Instrumental guitarist

About Me

Victor Samalot is a 30 + year veteran guitarist from Cleveland Ohio who draws on his Latin roots fusing timeless Latin groove with Jazz stylings topped with a rock edge that appeals to listeners of world fusion music. Imagine a jam session with the likes of Carlos Santana, Wes Montgomery and Jeff Beck. Fresh and contemporary, Victor’s musical adventure keeps him quite busy performing and in the studio. His influences include Craig Chaquico, Jesse Cook, Phil Keaggy, Carlos Santana, Jeff Beck, Jose Feliciano, and others.......

Primarily an electric guitar player, in 2010, Victor wanted to again put his own stamp on original instrumental music by switching to a Godin acoustic / electric guitar and utilizing the Boss RC 300 loop station. Exploring this instrumentation led to releasing 2 albums, Victor Samalot (self titled-2011) and Esperanza (2017). Both illustrate the vision of fusing genres with an organic vibe. Fast forward to 2020, Victor released 2 singles (La Chica Bonita & Speak Softly Love) which received favorable airplay worldwide.

“Listened to “Esperanza” on the way to work again. Man I just love it... are you planning to do another album like this one?” (Keith Hannaleck - MuzikMan Review / Boston, MA)

Prior to 2010, Victor was heavily involved with his Jazz Rock Fusion instrumental group Rare Blend. His contribution to the RB sound was powerful and always entertaining. From 1995 – 2010 (now on permanent hiatus), Rare Blend recorded 5 albums received rave reviews regionally and worldwide from major publications such as All About Jazz, Jazz Review.com, 20th Century Guitar magazine, Progression Magazine, Relix Magazine, Akron Beacon Journal, The Plain Dealer, Cleveland Scene, and many more...

Rare Blend also shared bills or opened for the likes of David Sanborn, Special EFX, Ozric Tentacles, Tunnels, Dark Star Orchestra, Kevin Eubanks, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Spyro Gyra, Frogg Cafe, Los Lobos, and others.