Al Di Meola World Sinfonia, Support: The Ronnie Scotts All Stars Wednesday 16th May - Friday 18th May

Al Di Meola – guitar, Fausto Beccalossi – accordion, Peo Alfonsi or Kevin Seddiki – 2^nd guitar, Peter Kaszas – drums/percussion

2 SHOWS PER NIGHT IN THE FOLLOWING FORMAT

Wed 16th & Thur 17th:
1st Show: Doors 5.30pm, Onstage: 7.30pm.
2nd Show: Doors: 9.30pm, Onstage: 10.30pm

Friday 18th:
1st show: Doors 6pm, Onstage 8.30pm
2nd show: Doors 10.30pm, Onstage 11.15pm

Following the much ballyhooed Return To Forever reunion tour of 2008, guitarist Al Di Meola began refocusing his energies on his World Sinfonia band. Live in Seattle and Elsewhere documented his tightly-knit chemistry in concert on a 2009 tour with his acoustic ensemble of accordionist Fausto Beccalossi, second guitarist Kevin Seddiki, bassist Victor Miranda, drummer Peter Kazsas and Di Meola’s longtime collaborator Gumbi Ortiz on cajon and assorted hand percussion. Di Meola’s rhythmically-charged flamenco and tango inspired originals revealed his knack for advanced harmonies along with his embracing of simple, beautiful, alluring melodies. And although he may be a romantic at heart, he showed that he is still very much capable of flashing those legendary chops that graced his ‘70s classics like Elegant Gypsy and Casino.

On Di Meola’s latest outing, Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody, set for March 15, 2011 release on Telarc, a division of Concord Music Group, the guitar virtuoso and world music pioneer deals in more evocative and compelling sounds with his World Sinfonia ensemble, delivering hauntingly beautiful and deeply moving music from track to track. The collection kicks off with the entrancing, suite-like “Siberiana,” which opens with some tender call-and-response between Beccalossi’s accordion and Di Meola’s nylon string acoustic guitar before building to a turbulent section with searing electric guitar lines on top. On the affecting “Paramour’s Lullaby,” Di Meola takes a more deliberate approach on electric guitar, spinning warm, lyrical lines over the beautiful harmonies before engaging in spirited call-and-response with Beccalossi near the end of the piece.  The rhythmically charged “Mawazine” (featuring percussionist Mino Cinelu) is broken up into two parts on the album and showcases some typically tasty electric guitar work by the leader.

The lushly cinematic “Michelangelo’s 7^th Child” (featuring Hungary’s Sturcz String Quartet) has Di Meola utilizing subtle MIDI textures and colorations on his acoustic guitar while also showcasing some virtuosic runs. “Gumbiero” is a stirring Latin number underscored by Ortiz’s churning conga work. Sparks fly between Di Meola’s signature fretboard bravado on both acoustic and electric, Beccalossi’s facile accordion playing and Gonzalo Rubalcaba’s dazzling piano work on this spirited offering. “Full Frontal Contrapuntal” features some chops-busting unisons and intricate exchanges between Al’s MIDI-tinged acoustic guitar and Beccalossi’s accordion. The surging “This Way Before” and the evocative, flamenco inspired “Fireflies” both feature Di Meola alternating between acoustic and distortion-laced electric guitar licks. The stirring Latin flavored “Destination Gonzalo” and “Radical Rhapsody” both feature virtuosic contributions from pianist Rubalcaba and former Weather Report drummer Peter Erskine. The poignant “Bona” is a tender offering with the Sturcz String Quartet that features some of Di Meola’s most lyrical playing on the record. The leader also turns in soothing interpretations of two classic pop tunes, the Beatles’ “Strawberry Fields” and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” both of which feature the great jazz bassist Charlie Haden.

Al Di Meola Biography 

Al Di Meola's highly celebrated career has spanned a wide range of emotions into a unique style embodying the artists world inspired influences. From the beginning of his solo career, where records like 'Land of the Midnight Sun', 'Elegant Gypsy' and 'Casino' were amongst the highest selling records of any instrumental artist at that time, Al Di Meola continues to make, with respect, startling achievements in music pioneering while the decline of U.S. radio continues to elude most interesting contemporary music.

Al Di Meola, again and again, reveals himself as a seasoned gifted contemporary composer and a player of deepening grace and evocative lyricism. He has been continually sited by many of the top prominent Music critics around the world for his virtuosic guitar work and compositions. Al's intrigue with complex rhythmic syncopation combined with provocative lyrical melodies always incorporating, sophisticated harmony at the root of these serious but heart felt works is central and foremost. Influenced greatly by jazz guitarist Larry Coryell, Di Meola had enrolled at Berklee College of Music in Boston, here his marathon practice sessions are still the stuff of legends.

After a brief stint with keyboardist Barry Miles, Al Di Meola was tapped by Chick Corea in 1974 - at the age of 19. Now his star quickly ascended. His awesome technique and musical depth can be traced back to the debut album with Chick Corea - 'Return to Forever' in 1974. In 1980, marked the triumph of the 'Super Guitar Trio' with Paco De Lucia and John McLaughlin. The record 'Friday Night in San Francisco' became a landmark recording resulting in wide acclaim. The result of which, surpassing two million records in sales. They toured from 1980 through 1983 and reunited for a 3rd CD 'Guitar Trio' in 1996 followed by a world tour. In early 1996, Al Di Meola formed a new trio with the likes of Jean Luc Ponty and Stanley Clarke named 'The Rite of Strings'.

In 2000 he formed the 'Al Di Meola World Sinfonia 2000' featuring musicians from Argentina, Cuba and Israel. Several recordings, countless awards, (including three gold albums) and six million albums later, Al Di Meola is still challenging himself and his music. Among some of the names in his illustrious career, with whom Al has recorded or played with include the likes of Chick Corea, Luciano Pavarotti, Paco De Lucia, Paul Simon, Phil Collins, Santana, John McLaughlin, Larrv Coryell, Steve Winwood, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Jaco Pastorius, Les Paul, jean Luc Ponty, Steve Vai, Frank Zappa, Milton Naciemento, Egberto Gismonti, Jimmy Page, Tony Williams, Stanley Clarke, Stevie Wonder, Irakere and many more. 2011 brought the release of his new studio album "Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody" featuring guests like Charlie Haden, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Peter Erskine and Barry Miles.