A bona fide guitar hero, Al Di Meola
has been recognized internationally over the past four decades as virtuoso of
the highest order. A prolific composer and prodigious six-string talent, Di
Meola has amassed over 20 albums as a leader while collaborating on a dozen or
so others with the likes of the fusion supergroup Return To Forever with Chick
Corea, Stanley Clarke and Lenny White, the celebrated acoustic guitar trio
featuring fellow virtuosos John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucia, and the Rite of
Strings trio with bassist Clarke and violinist Jean-Luc Ponty. And while his
dazzling technique on both acoustic and electric guitars has afforded him regal
status among the hordes of fretboard aficionados who regularly flock to his concerts,
the depth of Di Meola's writing along with the soulfulness and his inherent
lyricism of his guitaristic expression have won him legions of fans worldwide
beyond the guitar aficionado set.
I
had the pleasure of experiencing Al Di Meola at Variety Playhouse on Friday,
Feb. 27. All I can say is ... mesmerizing is an understatement.
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