New York City Jazz Guitar virtuoso, composer and bandleader Sten Hostfalt

Groundbreaking - Jazz Review
Editor's Pick - Guitar Player
Impressive - Time Out NY
Inimitable - Paper Magazine
Virtuosic - Joe Maneri
Highly Exceptional Jimmy Giuffre

ew York City Jazz Guitar virtuoso, composer and bandleader Sten Hostfalt is internationally recognized as one of few musicians worldwide to regularly live in concert systematically explore, create and perform new original music beyond the tempered 12-tone system. With self-invented new interpretative techniques for the standard 6 string/12 fret guitar. Expanding and updating the vocabulary & practice for todays most played, most popular instrument.

First introduced on the mid-90's NYC Jazz scene as an original member of and featured soloist with Guillermo Klein's Pioneering Ensemble. In weekly appearances alongside Mark Turner, Chris Cheek, Ingrid Jensen, Jeff Ballard, Seamus Blake and Aaron Goldberg. At an always packed Small's Jazz Club during the inception of Mitch Borden's since so influential venue. Through studies with Jimmy Giuffre, Joe Maneri and Paul Bley. Composition Master Classes with Toru Takemitsu and Gyorgi Ligeti. Performances with Peter Erskine, Clare Fischer and Gary Burton. And as an apprentice in Traditional Large Jazz Orchestras led by Herb Pomeroy, Phil Wilson and George Russell.



Sten Hostfalt - guitar/compositions,
Ole Mathisen - tenor saxophone,
Tim Luntzel - bass,
Dave Miller - drums,
Kenny Young - video

While freely operating in contexts from Mainstream/Contemporary and Avant Jazz to Pop. Drawing upon an initially self-taught technique, and a vocabulary informed by an activity on the 80's European DIY independent progressive scene. Mixed with Classical instrumental training and composition studies with legendary Icons of American Music Jimmy Giuffre, Paul Bley and Joe Maneri.

Currently as a critically acclaimed New York City based bandleader, building on a creative contribution to the U.S. East Coast since 1989 and to the NYC scene since 1994. For the past fifteen years enthusiastically featured in major press including JAZZ TIMES MAGAZINE, NEW YORK TIMES and ALL MUSIC GUIDE for work as a sideman alongside some of the world's most innovative musicians. Just out with the CD 'QUARTET', that focuses on original compositions based on Jazz Standards in the traditional song format.

Having picked the guitar up at age 9, and initially self taught, until classical guitar studies from age 16. He was shaped by an active participation on the local 80's DIY progressive music scene. As well as through hearing Big Joe Williams, Frank Zappa, Miles Davis, Joe Henderson, Don Cherry, Gatemouth Brown, James Blood Ulmer, Jack DeJohnette, McCoy Tyner, Pat Metheny, Dewey Reman, Don Pullen, George Adams, Arthur Blythe, Kelvyn Bell and Weather Report with Shorter, Zawinul and Jaco Pastorious live in concert.

Through local media features recognized as and labeled a 'Guitar Phenom'.
He was transplanted from his native Sweden to the USA, through multiple scholarship awards from two of the world's most Prestigious Schools for Modern Music, New England Conservatory and Berklee College Of Music. Participating in composition masterclasses with Toru Takemitsu and Gyorgi Ligeti. Before receiving a Master Of Music Degree in Composition, A Graduate Diploma in Performance and a Bachelor of Music Degree with honors.

Sten Hostfalt has toured South America, USA and Europe. And with a history of independent releases since the 1981 debute as a co-leader, featured soloist and composer. On his own record label(s), to much critical acclaim, Released four ( 4 ) CD's as a leader, received numerous Artist Awards. Including one from ASCAP for the landmark '02 Solo Concert CD release 29 Pieces For The Microtonal Guitar Live, Knitting Factory New York. And has ever since 1991 appeared in shared concert events with modern music greats Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen, James Moody, Mike Stern, MOBY, Tim Berne, Keith Murray (DEF SQUAD), Rob McConnell, Bobby Shew, Lunachicks and Deborah Brown.

Also highly active as a music educator ever since 1984.Sten Hostfalt is a CUNY, City University of New York, Queensborough Community College faculty member and former faculty (2001-05) of The Royal College Of  Music in Stockholm, Kungliga Musikhogskolan - one of the world's oldest music conservatories. As well as since 1992, an invited clinican at alma maters New England Conservatory and Berklee College Of Music.

Also faculty of N Y Jazz Academy, and a NY Department of Education registered vendor catering to students at Columbia University, New York University and Juilliard Music School, he has notably since 2006 directed his Upper Manhattan based creative Music workshop NYC Guitar Studio. One of few institutions worldwide offering systematic microtonal guitar and music studies.