Al Di Meola is a pioneering guitarist known for his groundbreaking work in jazz fusion and world music. He began his career as guitarist at just 19 with the group Return to Forever in 1974 playing alongside some legendary band members like Stanley Clarke.
From 1976 to 1978 he played with Stomu Yamashta in the supergroup Go on three records. The 1970s and 1980s saw albums such as Land of the Midnight Sun, Elegant Gypsy, Casino and Friday Night in San Francisco earn him both critical and commercial success.
With his lightning-fast picking technique and intricate compositions, Di Meola has pushed the boundaries of what is possible on the guitar, earning him critical acclaim and a devoted following. His collaborations with artists like Chick Corea and Paco de Lucía have helped shape the course of modern jazz and world music.
Al Di Meola says...
I do love to practice. Practicing keeps your fingers nimble and practicing speed or velocity and difficult passages is very important. I feel though that if you stop practicing, you can actually slow down, so it’s a constant, almost a struggle to maintain the speed that was once there in my 20s.
Al Di Meola ratings
Songs: Casino, Elegant Gypsy
Gear: Gibson Les Paul Marshall Amplifier