Al Di Meola

With a career spanning more than five decades, Al Di Meola has established himself as a leading guitar virtuoso, uniquely blending jazz fusion, Latin, flamenco, world music, and classical influences.

Born in Jersey City in 1954, he studied at the Berklee College of Music and in 1974, at just 19 years old, joined Chick Corea’s Return to Forever. He then pursued an illustrious solo career with albums such as Land of the Midnight Sun, Elegant Gypsy, and Casino. A milestone in his trajectory was the historic acoustic trio with Paco de Lucía and John McLaughlin and the legendary album Friday Night in San Francisco, which defined the history of the guitar.

His collaborations with Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana, Phil Collins, and Stanley Clarke remain monumental and defining for his musical “blend,” which is characterized by explosive technique, rhythmic complexity, and intense lyricism. He has been honoured with Grammy nominations, the Miles Davis Award, the BBC Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as 12 awards from Guitar Player Magazine, which inducted him into the Gallery of Greats.