This week we feature guitarist Tony Do Rosario.

Tony Do Rosario is a rising star in the world of jazz guitar, destined to go far and burn bright. I expect we'll hear great things from him in the future. Technically, he is a cut above the pack, sometimes playing lines with the thumb (al la Wes Montgomery) and then switching back to the pick (like most of the rest of us). He has a smooth approach to chordal playing, and a nice melodic sense. All around, he's good solid player, and I'm sure we'll see more recordings coming from him soon.

I know Tony from the LA jazz scene and have enjoyed his playing on numerous occasions. I last heard him this past week with his Six String Friends at THE BAKED POTATO (featuring John Pisano and Hideaki Tokunaga). Three guitars with upright bass and drums is quite a unique combination, and it certainly provided for an enjoyable experience. Tony has another Six String Friends gig coming up in Somers Point New Jersey JAZZ FEST with Peter Bernstein and Jimmy Bruno. He always manages to share the stage with some top rate guitarists.

Tony also hosted many guitar clinics at Sam Ash Music in LA this past year featuring some of the biggest names in jazz guitar. Those clinicians include Joe Diorio, Sid Jacobs, Ted Greene, Ron Echete, Phil Upchurch, John Pisano, Paul Bollenback. Andy Summers, Peter Bernstein, Anthony Wilson, Larry Koonse, Mundell Lowe, Frank Gambale, Steve Cardenas, Ron Anthony, Pat Martino, Herb Ellis, John Stowell and Jimmy Bruno. How's that a who's who of jazz guitar? I really have to thank Tony for these clinics, as they helped quite a bit with my columns.

>From Tony's online bio:
Tony do Rosario grew up in Somers Point, NJ. Picking up the guitar at an early age, he evolved through his rock and roll heroes and progressed to jazz. It was then he found his musical idenity. He moved to Los Angeles in 1993 to pursue jazz full-time. Since then he has performed with Sal Marquez (everyone), John Beasly (Miles Davis), Donald Vega (Anthony Wilson), Kleber Jorge (Sergio Mendez), and Jim Ridle (Pat Martino). He has performed with such other jazz guitarists as Paul Bollenback, Howard Alden, John Pisano, Ron Echete, Phil Upchurch, and Joe Diorio. He has studied with Mike Stern, Pat Martino, John Ambercrombie, and Ted Green.

Tony Do Rosario's home page: http://www.tonyguitar.com

Sound clips:
http://home.earthlink.net/~sholmes305/cdinfo.htm

Sidenotes:
Just returned from a very memorable experience -- a concert by the Red Holloway/ Plas Johnson Quintet. There was no guitar, just piano, bass, drums and tons of tenor sax, alto sax and baritone sax (played splendidly by both Plas and Red). I had played guitar on some Red Holloway tracks way back in the 80's but hadn't seen him since. Some people just get better and better with age, and Red is certainly one of those folks. As I mentioned, there was no guitar but Red and Plas played so incredibly well, I felt I just had to mention it.

Doc Dosco is a jazz guitarist, composer and audio consultant living in Los Angeles, CA. His website is located at http://www.docdosco.com, where you can find more information on the 'What's Hot in Jazz Guitar' columns, audio clips of Doc's playing, and many additional features. Doc plays Heritage guitars and endorses the new Pignose Valve Tube Amps -- great for jazz (and anything else!)