Chris DePino
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Connecticut/New York Metro Area |
ABOUT CHRIS...Music has been a part of my life ever since I can remember. Growing up in an Italian family in New Haven, Connecticut, I was constantly surrounded by the velvet sounds of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and, of course, every New Year by the legendary Guy Lombardo. Needless to say, the first instrument I got my hands on was what every Italian kid from an Italian neighborhood was supposed to play - the accordion. Not from a lack of trying, the accordion decided it was not for me.
My musical "home" eventually became the harmonica - perfect for playing as I was "riding the rails" as a train conductor for Metro North in 1971, at the ripe old age of 19. For the next seven years, I played in various blues bands throughout Connecticut refining my instrument and trade. In 1978, I decided to take up the "white whale" of all harmonicas - the chromatic harmonica. Around this time, my musical interests began to branch out of blues and I discovered the incredible sound of the jazz harmonica, listening to the jazz harmonica master Toots Thielemans. I have continued to develop my skills over the years by playing with fantastic musicians like Dave Dana (guitar), Barry Marshall (saxophone), and presently with international trumpet sensation Laco Deczi of Czechoslovakia.I recently returned from New Jersey where I studied with one of the world's premiere jazz harmonica players Hendrik Meurkens,, and attended Robert Bonfiglio's music seminar at his upstate New York residence. Today, I am comfortable with all ranges of music from classical to jazz to blues. I am an avid sight reader and session player. Recently, I have begun teaching music for blues and chromatic harmonica. To contact Chris please click HERE. CURRENTLY TEACHING IN: New York Metro/Connecticut Area FACE TO FACE LESSONS: YES OVER THE PHONE LESSONS: YES SKYPE-BASED LESSONS: SOON For more information about Chris DePino, please click below http://www.chrisdepino.com/index.html |