Chieli Minucci, Special EFX and More
A quick flurry and then a single note swells and soars then drops and the melody comes back, but with a surprise twist.
Chieli Minucci's playing signature is distinct among the many stars that have forged their names as "Smooth Jazz Artists".
Several things that stand out about Chieli's playing are his superb use of dynamics, even when playing fast lines and also his use of the volume control.
He doesn't use it so much as an effect, but rather as a means to redirect the melody line.
He describes his playing as "phrase-oriented", with attention paid to leaving space to let the solos breath.
With a large number of guitarists attending Chieli's solo projects as well as with his band Special EFX, impressed students often ask the very same questions regarding how he got started and what did he study.
Chieli was fortunate in a lot of ways; his father Ulpio Minucci (concert pianist/composer) wrote the now 'standard' 1955 hit song "Domani," as well as "A Thousand Thoughts of You," and "Felicia" (both sung by Nat King Cole.
He also studied with one of the finest studio guitarists in New York City, named John Hotop Chieli is a New Yorker that was working with the BB & Q Band, the group Change (after Luther Vandross left) as well as with vocalists Lou Reed, Rupert Holmes, Cheryl Lynn and China Davis and was absorbed in his own project of which he explained "I was writing with a singer named Bobby Matthews and already looking for a record deal when Fernando Saunders (former bassist for John McLaughlin) introduced Chieli to his friend George Jinda.
George had heard a tape of Chieli's music and came up with the idea to combine World Rhythms and Chieli's electric and acoustic playing.
It didn't take long for this new duo to have enough material for an album.
While Chieli was really expecting something to come out of his working with Bobby Matthews, he was surprised when a label from Holland signed him and George Jinda.
Having a record released with a foreign label made it a lot easier to shop the record in the U.
S.
and then GRP signed them in the early part of 1984, this duo was now known as Special EFX.
Basically, Special EFX was a duo, but they formed a bond with some terrific musicians that continued to work with them for many years.
The duo worked together till the mid 90's.
George Jinda died of a stroke in 1997.
Chieli has continued to work with Special EFX.
Chieli has also been very busy as a solo artist.
As a composer for daytime television, Chieli has been nominated for 10 Emmy Awards and has won three of them.
He has contributed work for "The Guiding Light", "Good Morning America", "Bloomberg Radio", "Access Hollywood" and the "700 Club" as well as contributed to movie soundtracks "Bowfinger", "Legally Blonde", "Panic" and "Lifted".
This talented guitarist has backed diverse talent, including Celine Dion, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Lopez, Mark Anthony, Jewel as well as jazz artists Bobby Caldwell, Marion Meadows, Kim Waters, Alex Bugnon, Gerald Veasley, Nestor Torez, Bob Baldwin and others.
Children all around the country are fans of Chieli's music.
The reason for this is because Chieli has worked on some big hits with children "Dora The Explorer", "Dora's Pirate Adventure" and "The City of Lost Toys".
He's worked on both the live tour production as well as the TV series.
This is an important year for Chieli.
He's still very busy touring with the band Special EFX and now after 25 years, they are putting out a commemorative album entitled "Without You".
We can expect several things, and that would be more excellent guitar work and more infectious catchy tunes! Those of us that have been fans for years will be keeping spreading the word about the new album.
Click here to learn more about Chieli's Smooth Jazz.
Chieli Minucci's playing signature is distinct among the many stars that have forged their names as "Smooth Jazz Artists".
Several things that stand out about Chieli's playing are his superb use of dynamics, even when playing fast lines and also his use of the volume control.
He doesn't use it so much as an effect, but rather as a means to redirect the melody line.
He describes his playing as "phrase-oriented", with attention paid to leaving space to let the solos breath.
With a large number of guitarists attending Chieli's solo projects as well as with his band Special EFX, impressed students often ask the very same questions regarding how he got started and what did he study.
Chieli was fortunate in a lot of ways; his father Ulpio Minucci (concert pianist/composer) wrote the now 'standard' 1955 hit song "Domani," as well as "A Thousand Thoughts of You," and "Felicia" (both sung by Nat King Cole.
He also studied with one of the finest studio guitarists in New York City, named John Hotop Chieli is a New Yorker that was working with the BB & Q Band, the group Change (after Luther Vandross left) as well as with vocalists Lou Reed, Rupert Holmes, Cheryl Lynn and China Davis and was absorbed in his own project of which he explained "I was writing with a singer named Bobby Matthews and already looking for a record deal when Fernando Saunders (former bassist for John McLaughlin) introduced Chieli to his friend George Jinda.
George had heard a tape of Chieli's music and came up with the idea to combine World Rhythms and Chieli's electric and acoustic playing.
It didn't take long for this new duo to have enough material for an album.
While Chieli was really expecting something to come out of his working with Bobby Matthews, he was surprised when a label from Holland signed him and George Jinda.
Having a record released with a foreign label made it a lot easier to shop the record in the U.
S.
and then GRP signed them in the early part of 1984, this duo was now known as Special EFX.
Basically, Special EFX was a duo, but they formed a bond with some terrific musicians that continued to work with them for many years.
The duo worked together till the mid 90's.
George Jinda died of a stroke in 1997.
Chieli has continued to work with Special EFX.
Chieli has also been very busy as a solo artist.
As a composer for daytime television, Chieli has been nominated for 10 Emmy Awards and has won three of them.
He has contributed work for "The Guiding Light", "Good Morning America", "Bloomberg Radio", "Access Hollywood" and the "700 Club" as well as contributed to movie soundtracks "Bowfinger", "Legally Blonde", "Panic" and "Lifted".
This talented guitarist has backed diverse talent, including Celine Dion, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Lopez, Mark Anthony, Jewel as well as jazz artists Bobby Caldwell, Marion Meadows, Kim Waters, Alex Bugnon, Gerald Veasley, Nestor Torez, Bob Baldwin and others.
Children all around the country are fans of Chieli's music.
The reason for this is because Chieli has worked on some big hits with children "Dora The Explorer", "Dora's Pirate Adventure" and "The City of Lost Toys".
He's worked on both the live tour production as well as the TV series.
This is an important year for Chieli.
He's still very busy touring with the band Special EFX and now after 25 years, they are putting out a commemorative album entitled "Without You".
We can expect several things, and that would be more excellent guitar work and more infectious catchy tunes! Those of us that have been fans for years will be keeping spreading the word about the new album.
Click here to learn more about Chieli's Smooth Jazz.
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