(585) 482-6147
www.chetcatallo.com
 chetsguitar@gmail.com

Internationally acclaimed guitarist-composer-producer and 6-time Grammy nominee Chet Catallo is a member of the Jazz Hall of Fame and an original member of the contemporary jazz innovating pioneers Spyro Gyra from 1978-1984. When only in his 20s, Catallo was responsible for writing some of the group’s gold and platinum popular hits like “Café Amore,” “Lovin’ You,” “It Doesn’t Matter” and many more. Chet headlined as a member of Spyro Gyra at jazz and music festivals all over the world, including Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, and Newport, playing on the same bill as legends George Benson, Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock. When Chet and Eli Konikoff left Spyro Gyra in 1984, they brought Ralph Ortiz here from Puerto Rico to join them in their new band, Chet Catallo & the Cats, along with the late Matt Greeley, Andy Calabrese and Jim Richmond. A short time later the band added Vince Ercolamento and Steve Curry (Eli Konikoff was recovering from near-fatal accident injuries). Adding percussionist Charlie Curran completed the sound Chet had envisioned from the start.

Chet is constantly composing and creating new material. Not a big fan of the “jazz fusion” or “smooth jazz” monikers, Chet feels his music is not just jazz. It is much more adventurous, combining Latin influences with funk, blues, R&B and many pop elements. The band’s long-awaited CD, the recently released First Take, is a reflection of Chet’s commitment to maintaining the purity of his versatile style. The phrase “first take” refers to studio musicians going into a recording session and getting it right, hot and inspired the first time, and according to Chet, that’s exactly what they did! Recorded live and mixed on the spot by Chet’s long-time friend and engineer Larry Swist, the CD has been released by Chet Catallo Productions, Inc, the production, publishing and record label for Chet Catallo and the Cats. Everyone involved is especially proud of the fact that the CD was accepted for the nomination process in six Grammy categories icluding best Pop Instrumental Jazz Album, Best Pop Instrumental Track, Best Instrumental Composition, Best Improvised Jazz Solo Track, Best Engineered Album and Best Album Packaging. Add the fact that Chet has just recovered from complicated back surgery, he’s thankful to be healthy again and ready to celebrate with a number of “recovery concerts!” CDs are available at House of Guitars, Record Archive, Barnes & Noble, and The Bop Shop. See www.chetcatallo.com for additional stores and for world wide online sales.