The Puerto Rican guitarist, José Feliciano began his career in 1950 and then immigrated to the United States where he became famous with numerous successes and historic appearances around the world. Beginning in the 1970, Feliciano started playing the 6-string steel Craviola® and participated in many live shows and television appearances. Specially memorable was Feliciano’s version of “Light My Fire” which continues to be among the most played pieces worldwide. He won numerous Grammy Awards, recorded over thirty albums and his first Craviola® is now displayed at the Hard Rock Café in New York City. In his Hall of Fame photograph, he is shown with his Craviola®.

Luis Bonfá

One of the father’s of the Bossa Nova, Luis Bonfá is among the most widely known Brazilian musicians in the United States. Bonfá toured the US from 1956-1959 with singer Mary Martin, recording with Atlantic records and hailed by American critics for his mastery. Following this, the Bossa Nova became widely popular. Bonfá played at the historical festival at Carnegie Hall in New York in 1962 and was the only musician who was required to play an encore of his “Manhã de Carnaval”. This song won the Palm d’Or at the 1959 Cannes Film Festival as the soundtrack for the film “Black Orpheus”. In the 70’s Bonfá began playing the nylon Craviola® and helped make it popular when he recorded two of the biggest guitar solo classic albums in the US: The New face of Luís Bonfá (1970) and Introspection (1972).

Today numerous internationally renowned musicians in search of unique sound and visual identities are using the instrument. Among them are:

Romero Lubambo

Influenced by both classical and jazz, he graduated from the Villa-Lobos School of Music in Rio de Janeiro, and has studied the many styles of Brazilian music. Romero has performed and/or recorded with Antonio Carlos Jobim, Dori Caymmi, Astrud Gilberto, Herbie Mann, Raphael Rabello, Paquito D'Rivera, Phil Woods, Art Farmer, Larry Coryell, Gil Goldstein, and many others.

In 1985, Romero left Brazil for New York, where he became very much in demand, not only for his authentic Brazilian sound, but also for his command of a variety of styles. Romero has also established himself as a composer and performer on his own critically acclaimed recording projects and collaborations with many outstanding artists, including Dianne Reeves, Michael Brecker, Yo-Yo Ma, Kathleen Battle, Diana Krall, Herbie Mann, Wynton Marsalis, Jane Monheit, Kenny Barron, Ivan Lins, Grover Washington Jr., Vernon Reid, Flora Purim and Airto, Sadao Watanabe, Paquito D'Rivera, Harry Belafonte, Larry Coryell, Gato Barbieri, Leny Andrade, James Carter, Paula Robison, Dave Weckl, Claudia Acuña, Jason Miles, Regina Carter, Luciana Souza, Gil Goldstein and Cesar Camargo Mariano among many others.

"Quite simply...Romero is the best Brazilian guitarist there is."
- Herbie Mann –

"...an absolute wizard of post-bop acoustic jazz..."
- Diane Gordon, Acoustic Guitar Magazine –

"Equally skilled on electric and acoustic, Lubambo has become one of the most frequently recorded guitarists in the world, having lent his diverse skills to an astounding array of sessions."
- Mark Holston, Guitar Player Magazine  -

“Guitarist Romero Lubambo is quickly becoming all but synonymous with Brazilian jazz in the 1990s, both in his new home, the U.S., and his native Brazil. His ubiquitous presence, knack for coming up with challenging concepts for recordings ...”
- Mark Holston, Jazziz  -

Ulisses Rocha - Solo

Rocha was part of the D'alma trio, a guitar group that revolutionized the classic guitar language and inspired the meeting of the legendary trio John Maclaughlin - Paco de Lucia - Al di Meola. In D’Alma trio, played in some very important Festivals: Paris, Montreal, Quebec, Ottawa, New York besides the Free Jazz Festival, in Brazil.

O D'Alma made three records, two of which had the participation of Ulisses. As a solo player, Rocha had 6 CDs, 3 videos and a book, as well stage appearances at special events with Egberto Gismonti, Al di Meola, Toquinho among others. He also played solo at the Paris Jazz Festival and Free Jazz Festival.

Nando Lauria - Pat Metheny Group

"We have known and admired Nando for many years. He has worked with us on occasions over the years and several PMG members have worked with Nando on his own projects as well. There is so much extra guitar work on "The Way Up" that I really felt like I needed to have someone else on stage to help me cover all the parts that needed to get played. The first guy that I thought of was Nando. He is a great guitar player and great all-around musician. He will be a perfect fit for this tour and we are very excited to have him joining us". Pat Metheny

Renowned Brazilian Classic guitar player, in 1993 Nando signed a record deal with Narada Records and released 2 solo albums, which made the Top Contemporary Jazz Charts on Billboard Magazine and received wide acclaim among trade magazines and newspapers around the U.S and abroad. His records has been played in over 150 radio stations in the U.S. as well as most countries of Europe, Asia, South America and Canada as well.

Jeff Linsky - Solo

With a strong classical guitar technique and a remarkable gift for improvisation, Jeff Linsky has developed his own warmly passionate and personal style of playing, blending elements of jazz, classical, and Latin music.

An award winning composer, Jeff has several critically acclaimed recordings to his credit. Jeff's original composition, Up Late, from the Concord Records release of the same name, has become a standard in the Smooth Jazz radio format. His composition, Monterey served for years as the broadcast theme of the Monterey Jazz Festival. His Latin Jazz project, Simpatico, featuring Weather Report veterans Alphonso Johnson and Alex Acuna, was nominated Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year by the National Association of Independent Record Distributors. The completely improvised solo guitar release, Jeff Linsky/Solo, was selected to Downbeat Magazine's Top Ten.