Enrico Granafei Harmonica virtuoso....

"For many years I have appreciated Enrico both as a classical guitarist and a jazz harmonica player, but what he does playing the two instruments at the same time is absolutely amazing." - Bucky Pizzarelli

"Enrico shares his gifts both on the guitar and the harmonica ( amazingly played at the same time)in this nice combination of standards and Brazilian repertoire. With his swinging bass lines and comping he simultaneously plays and sings melodies from the heart and his passion for the music shines through." - Gene Bertoncini

Enrico Granafei Harmonica virtuoso, classical guitarist, singer, songwriter, arranger, composer Enrico Granafei has a long history of musical experience which encompasses both Classical Music and Jazz. Enrico received a degree in classical guitar from the Conservatory of l..Aquila in Italy in 1976. His artistic career started in Rome where he soon became known in the musical community.

In 1978 Enrico moved to Germany where he began to perform and to teach in two different "Musikschulen". In the early 80..s, after returning to Italy, Enrico started to broaden his horizons by discovering Jazz through the harmonica. Following in the tradition of the legendary Toots Thielemans, he began to explore new possibilities for the harmonica, an instrument too often associated solely with Rock and Blues.

Besides playing in the best jazz clubs in Italy during that period, Enrico performed regularly on national television where he was a member of the Pippo Caruso orchestra. His love for Jazz led him to New York City, the world capital of Jazz, where he soon started to perform in local jazz clubs, including The Blue Note, Birdland, Visiones, Angry Squire, and the Bottom Line.

During the 20 years that he has resided in the New York area, he has performed extensively on the Chromatic Harmonica in the United States and continued to be a featured musician in major European Festivals, including Pori Jazz Festival (Finland), Euromeet Jazz Festival (Italy), Jazz Festivals throughout Italy and France, and major clubs throughout Europe. In 1992 Enrico graduated with a Masters.. degree in Jazz Performance from the Manhattan School of Music where he was the only student of Toots Thielemans.

Enrico has been the owner and musical director of the prestigious Trumpets Jazz Club in Montclair, New Jersey (USA), the most important Jazz venue in the state, since 1999. He continues to perform at that venue and at other important jazz venues throughout the United States and Europe, as well as to record as a leader and sideman. He is one of the most respected players of the Chromatic Harmonica in the world today and continues to cultivate an audience for the instrument through his international performances.

Enrico..s latest accomplishment is his work on Hands-Free-Chromatic Harmonica. The revolutionary instrument invented by Vern Smith allows him to play Chromatic Harmonica and Guitar at the same time, something that nobody has ever done before in Jazz. Close your eyes and you will hear two or three musicians but in fact it..s only one!

More on: http://www.myspace.com/enricogranafei#ixzz11nKxQgIk