Bio

I was born in Paris, France in 1960. I grew up in a musical family  and was encouraged at an early age to develop a talent as a composer and instrumentalist. Note: it has been said that my dad had played with gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt. That is true. However, it should be mentioned that they only played pool together…

I studied guitar and Jazz Composition at the University of Miami, FL with Randall Dollahon & Ron Miller. I also studied with John Hart, Dave Creamer, Barry Harris & film-scoring with Laurent Petitgirard.

Moved to San Francisco in 1987 where I now work as a free-lance guitarist, bandleader and educator– with performances at the world-renowned Jazz club Yoshi’s with my own Quartet, at the SF Museum of Modern Art, at local Jazz Festivals, and at the Mill Valley International Film Festival.

I have played with Buddy Collette, Sonny Simmons, Norah Jones, Bruce Dunlap, Trevor Dunn (“Mr. Bungle”, “Fantomas”, John Zorn), Reid Anderson (“The Bad Plus”), Jenny Scheinman, Ben Monder, Steve Cardenas, Kenny Wollesen (Bill Frisell), Phillip Greenlief, Flip Nu�ez, J. Granelli, Adam Levy (Tracy Chapman, Joey Baron, Norah Jones), percussionist Mingo Lewis (from “Santana”), African World Beat group “Zekele Sounds”, and the”Broun Fellinis”.

I currently teach Music Theory, Harmony and Ear-Training classes at the SF Academy of Art University, and have taught a variety of Guitar Classes, Music Theory, Jazz Composition and Improvisation Workshops at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, WI and at the Conservatory of Music of Cannes, France.

Teaching Info

I teach privately at Russo Music in Noe Valley (on 24th St. near Sanchez St.) and at the Sunset Academy of Music (Irving & 15th Avenue).

I offer Jazz Guitar and Improvisation private lessons, and regularly present various Workshops, and Seminars.

I’m a very patient and caring instructor and have been teaching now for over 40 years.

We will cover all levels of Music Theory & Harmony and apply that knowlege directly to the guitar fingerboard. This includes various scales, patterns, chords, arpeggios and lines. The idea is that we want to improve our instrumental technique (pick control, relaxation of both hands, etc.) but still express ourselves musically.

We will study (and play !!!) standard tunes and common chord progressions, and I will guide you through Improvisation exercises and techniques that will eventually help you develop your own voice/style.

I have a lot of hand-outs available, including chord solos (harmonized melody of standard tunes) and comping studies (fingered chord progressions).

I can also specifically help you with ear-training and reading.

I currently teach Music Theory, Harmony, and Ear-Training at the SF Academy of Art University, and have taught a variety of Guitar Classes, Music Theory, Jazz Composition and Improvisation Workshops at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, WI and at the Conservatory of Music of Cannes, France.

I teach privately at my Noe Valley studio (Noe St. & 22nd St.)

Group classes, Seminars and Workshops are held at the SF Musicians’ Union.

I also teach remotely through ZOOM, SKYPE and FACETIME!